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Diseases  of  Poultry 


BY 


LBONARDlPEARSON,  b.  s.,  v.  m.  d. 

STATE  VETERINARIAN. 


CLARENCE  M.   BUSCH, 

STATE    PRINTBR    OF    PENNSYLVANIA. 
1897. 


(A 


?5^ 


LIST  OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Pay.-. 

Larvae    of    Chicken    Flea — Railliet,    17 

Head    of   Chicken    Flea— Railliet 18 

Chicken  Lice— 

Goniodes  dissimilis ^Paiget, lit 

Goniocotes    gigas  -NV umann,     20 

Goniocotes     hologaster — Xeumiann 21 

JAjyeurus  variabilis  —Neumann,    22 

Men02i07i   pallidum  —Railliet,     23 

Red    Poultry    Mite— Delaf end, 25 

Pigeon    Tick— Railliet 27 

Pai'asites  of  Body  Mange — 

Epidermoptes    &i7o6a<«5— female— Neumann,    29 

Epider')noj>tes    bit obatus— male — Neumann 30 

Sarcoiytes    ?aeci5   -Railliet,    '^^ 

Protozoa   from   a   Fo*vl's   Intestine— Perroncito,    33 

Head  of  a  fowl  with  Favus— Neumann,    31 

Parasite    of    Favus— Neumann,     "^-^ 

Pair  of   Gape  Worms— Railliet 40 

Pair  of  Gape  Worms  Attached  to  Windpipe— Megnin 41 

Windpipe    Containing    Gape    Worms— Megnin 43 

Air  Sac  Mite— Railliet .' ^^ 

Tape  Worm — Zurn,    °^ 

Intestine  Containinig  Tape  Worms— Goeze 55 

Pin  Worm  of  the  Pigeon — Neumann 60 

Digestive  Apparatus   of   Birds— Smith 61 

Parasite  of  Mange  of  the  Legs  and  Feet— 

Sarcoptes    mw^an*— Neumann,    83 

Foot  of  Fowl  with  Mange— Neumann,    84 

Floor  of  Mouth,   Showing  Diphtheria— Moore n 

Roof  of  Mouth.  Showing  Diphtheria— Moore,  94 

Caeca   of  Healthy   Turkey— Moore 101 

Caeca   of  Turkey,   Showing   Effect   of  Protozoan   Disease — 

Moore l'^*2 

lyiver   of   Turkey,    Showing    Effect    of    Protozoan    Disease — 

Moore 1  "13 

Plate   1 — Skeleton   of   Fowl— Chauveau ln<) 

Plate  2 — Digestive  Ai'paratus  of  a   Fowl^Chauveau Ill 

(3) 


M3720K8 


(4) 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL. 


Department  of  Agriculture, 

Harrisburg,  Pa.,  March  8,  i8gS. 
To  the  Houoiable  Senate  and  House  of  Kepiesenta lives 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania: 
Gentlemen:  In  ccmpliance  with  the  following  con- 
current resolution  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  here- 
with Part  I,  entitled  "Diseases  of  Poultry." 

LEONARD  PEARSON. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives, 
March  1,  1897. 
Resolved  (if  the  Senate  concur),  That  there  shaU  be  printed 
at  the  earliest  possible  date,  in  pamphlet  form,  fifteen  thousand 
copies  of  Bulletin  No.  17,  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture, 
entitled  "The  Diseases  and  Enemies  of  Poultry,"  with  such  ad- 
ditional matter  and  chang-es  as  the  authors  may  deem  nec- 
essary to  more  fully  explain  this  important  subject;  five  thou- 
sand for  the  use  of  the  Senate  and  ten  thousand  for  the  use  of 
the  present  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives:  Pro- 
vided, That  the  authors  shall  receive  no  extra  compensation  for 
preparing-,  writing,  editing,  proof  reading,  revising  and  index- 
ing this  pamphlet. 

A.  D.  FETTEROLF, 
Re.=;ident   Clerk   of   the   House   of   Representatives. 

In  the  Senate,   March  2.  1897. 
The    foregoing  lesoliition   in    the   House   concurred   in. 

E.  W.  SMILiEY, 
Chief  Clerk  of  the  Senate. 

Approved— The  9th  day  of  March.   K.  D.  1S97. 

DANIEL  H.   HASTINGS. 
(5) 


(6) 


PREFACE. 

This  report  on  the  Diseases  and  Enemies  of  Poultry 
is  written  in  answer  to  an  extensive  demand  for  intctr- 
niation  on  tlie  subject  of  which  it  treats.  While  a 
larg-e  number  of  articles  on  diseases  of  poultry  may  be 
found  in  poultry  jouinals,  live  stock  papers  and  poul- 
try books,  there  has  been  no  recent  attempt  in  this 
country  to  produce  a  comjirehensive,  popular  but  ac- 
curate description  of  the  'diseases  of  fowls,  together 
with  the  means  to  be  employed  to  cure  and  prevent 
Ihem. 

In  preparing  the  Jii-st  part  of  this  Bulletin,  the  Vet- 
erinai'ian  has  made  free  use  of  all  of  the  works  on  dis- 
eases of  poultry  that  lie  has  been  able  to  secure,  and  has 
drawn  upon  the  English,  French  and  German  litera- 
ture. 

Special  acknowledgment  must  be  given  to  the  agri- 
cultural and  poultry  jieriodicals,  to  the  following  au- 
thors: Ztirn.  Friedberger  and  Frohner,  Neumann,  Kail- 
liet,  Nocard  and  Leclainche,  and  the  publications  of  the 
U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture  by  Drs.  Salmon, 
Smith,  Moore  and  Stiles. 

There  is  a  great  deal  to  learn  in  reference  to^  these 
subjects,  and  a  promising  field  for  investigation  and  re- 
search is  offered.  It  is  hoped  that  some  of  the  numer- 
ous imperfectly  understood  diseases  of  poultry  may  be 
carefully  studied,  and  a  future  more  complete  report 
upon  this  subject  issued  under  the  auspices  of  the 
State  De])artraent  of  Agriculture. 

(7) 


(8) 


PARX  I. 


INTRODUCTION. 


IMPOHTAKOE    OF    THE    POULTRY    INDUSTRY 


Tha  pi'odnction  of  e*?gs  and  poultry  is  one  of  the 
most  important  branches  of  agriculture.  To  those  who 
have  not  given  this  subject  especial  attention,  the  state- 
ment that  the  annual  poultry  products  of  the  United 
States  are  equal  in  value  to  the  wheat  crop,  may  ap- 
pear something  startling. 

According  to  a  recent  estimate  of  the  American  Agri- 
culturist, based  on  the  last  census  and  on  an  extensive 
inquiry,  the  nuuiber  of  fowls  in  the  United  States  is 
about  383,000,000;  these  produce  U141,OO0,0O0  dozen 
eggs  each  year,  and  the  value  of  both  amounts  to  $343.- 
000.000,00. 

Pennsylvania  is  one  of  the  leading  states  in  the  pro- 
duction of  poultry.  According  to  the  same  authority, 
there  are  in  this  State  15,317,000  fowls  of  all  sorts — 
rurkeys,  geese,  ducks  and  chickens— valued  at  $8,236, 
000,  and  these  produce  68,818,000  dozen  eggs  each  year 
worth,  at  20  cents  ]>er  dozen.  |13,763,600.  making  a 
total  value  for  ]»oultry  and  eggs  of  nbout  $22,000. 
000.00. 

At  a  very  conservative  estimate,  one-tenth  of  the 
poultry,  young  and  old.  is  carried  away  by  disease  each 
year.  Hence  the  iiii]>oi tanc(>  of  this  subject  is  mani- 
fest. 


(9) 


1»--I 


10 
TREATMENT  OF  SICK  FOWLS. 


A  uunibcr  of  difficulties  are  met  with  in  treating 
fowls  that  do  not  confront  the  veterinarian  or  live  stock 
owner  in  treating  most  of  the  other  domestic  animals. 
Fowls  are  not  accustomed  to  being  handled.  They  are 
of  a  semi-wild  disposition,  so  that  when  it  becomes  nec- 
essary during  illness  to  examine  and  administer  medi- 
(nne  to  them  they  are  apt  to  resist.  However,  fowls 
can  be  treated  as  successfully  as  any  other  animals, 
provided  they  receive  the  same  amount  of  careful,  in- 
telligent attention. 

On  all  faims  where  poultry  is  kept  in  large  numbers 
it  is  advisable  to  have  a  small  building  or  room  fitted 
up  as  a  hospital  for  the  care  of  sick  and  disabled  birds. 
If  such  a  place  is  at  hand  it  will  be  possible  to  achieve 
much  better  results  than  when  attemp'ts  are  made  to 
treat  fowls  in  the  buildings  where  their  companions 
are,  and  where  they  are  constantly  annoyed  by  them, 
or  than  can  be  reached  if  the  fowls  are  placed  in  a 
dirty  box  in  soine  damp,  out  of  the  way  place,  under 
the  impression  that  anything  is  good  enough  for  a  sick 
chicken. 


CAUSES  OF  DISEASE. 


The  causes  of  diseases  of  }M)ultry  are  various  and  at- 
tention is  directed  to  the  cause  of  each  one  treated  upon 
in  the  following.  It  will  be  noticed  that  in  mcvst  cases 
diseases  are  avoidable,  tliat  thev  result  from  misman 


11 

agement  in  the  way  of  feeding,  liousing  or  cleanliness. 
Some  of  them,  bowever,  are  contagious  and  cannot  be 
wholly  prevented  even  when  the  feeding  and  sanitary 
conditions  are  of  tlie  best,  but  experience  teaches  that 
where  co-nditions  are  good  for  birds  tliey  are  bad  for 
disease  germs  and  vice  versa,  so  that  when  contagious 
diseases  prevail,  tlieir  ravages  are  much  greater  among 
fowls  that  are  poorly  kept  than  among  those  that  are 
cared  for  properly. 

Contagious  diseases  and  })a,rasites  are  usually  intro- 
duced by  new  fowls  brought  into  the  Hock,  and  it  is 
worth  while,  especially  where  pure  bred  fowls  are 
grown,  to  place  all  neAv  acquisitions  in  quarantine  away 
fi'om  the  flock  for  a  few  days,  and  until  it  has  been 
shown  that  they  present  no  evidence  of  disease.  Great 
care  should  be  used,  also,  in  purchasing  only  from 
sound  stock  kept  under  favoiable  conditions. 


SYMPTO.MS  OF  DISEASE. 


Birds  shc'W  disease  in  a  variety  of  ways,  but  in  most 
cases  if  the  affection  is  at  all  severe,  they  become  list- 
less, sluggisb,  torpid,  inclined  to  keep  away  from  tlieir 
fellows,  they  are  apt  to  stand  with  the  head  drawn 
down,  the  wings  and  tail  pendant  and  feathers  ruffled. 
Tn  many  diseases,  diarrhoea  is  the  first  symptom,  and  in 
all  cases  of  diarihoea,  attention  should  be  paid  to  the 
droppings  for  the  ])urposp  o>f  noting  their  color  and 
whether  they  contain  A\'orms  or  an  admixture  of  mucus 
or  blood.     Sometimes  loss  of  apju'tite  is  the  first  sym])- 


12 

torn  of  disease,  sometimes  paleness  of  the  comb  and 
visible  membranes.  In  the  skin  diseases,  the  first 
symptoms  appear  on  the  surface  and  consist  in  a  loss 
of  gloss  on  some  of  the  feathers  and  stiffness  and  brit- 
tleness  of  the  feathers,  and  sometimes  the  appearance 
of  naked  spots. 

The  examination  of  the  throat  is  important  in  manv 
cases  because  it  is  the  seat  of  two  common  and  very 
serio'us  afflictions  of  domestic  fowls,,  namely,  roup  and 
gapes.  In  examining  the  mouth  and  thoat  the  bill  can 
bo  opened  by  pressing  the  thumb  and  finger  on  the 
angle  at  either  side;  then  if  the  windpipe  is  pressed  up- 
ward from  the  neck,  the  larynx  can  be  forced  into  the 
back  of  the  mouth  and  examined  easily.  It  is  fre- 
quently of  advantage  to  have  an  assistant  hold  the  fowl 
while  the  examiner  carries  out  these  manipulations  and 
also  holds  the  tO'Pgue  down  by  bearing  upon  it  with  a 
wooden  toothpick  or  some  similar  small  object. 

The  temperature  of  the  fowl  is  rarely  measured,  be- 
cause fevej-  is  shown  by  symptoms  of  cliilliness,  etc.. 
but  it  is  well  to  know  tliat  the  noa-mal  temperature  of 
the  domestic  fowls  varies  between  106  and  107.5  de- 
grees F.  This  is  considerably  higher  than  the  tempera- 
ture of  the  larger  animals.  If  it  becomes  desirable  to 
measure  the  temperatuie.  if:  can  be  done  by  inserting 
a  clinical  thermometer  into  the  cloaca.  It  should  pene- 
trate for  about  two  inches  and  remain  two  or  three 
minutes  before  it  is  withdrawn  and  read. 

The  heart  beat  of  the  fowl  is  quite  rapid,  varying 
from  110  to  140  per  minute,  but  the  determination  of  its 
rapidity  is  of  liltle  importance  in  diagnosing  the  dis- 
ease of  fovsls,  because  when  they  are  grasped  for  the 
purpose  of  counting  the  bent,  it  becomes  so  rapid  that 
it  is  sometimes  almost  impossible  to  count  it.  running 


13 

up  in  manj'  cases  to  300  pulsations  per  minute.  The 
heart  beat  can  be  easily  felt  by  applying  the  fingers  to 
the  sides  of  the  chest  wall. 

The  rapidity  of  respiration  is  of  more  importance 
than  the  rapidity  of  the  lieart  beat,  because  it  can  be 
determined  at  a  distance  from  the  fo-wl.  and  without 
anrjoying  it  and  thus  quickening  this  function.  The 
normal  breathing  rate  of  the  fowl  at  rest  is  from  50  to 
60  respirations  per  minute.  In  diseases  of  the  breath- 
ing organs  and  obstructions  of  them  by  growths  or 
parasites,  the  respirations  become  quickened. 


POST  MORTEM   EXAMINATIONS. 


Very  often  it  is  not  j)0ssible  to  determine  the  char- 
acter of  a  disease  affecting  fowls  nntil  after  they  are 
dead,  and  as  many  of  the  poultry  diseases  are  conta 
gious,  it  is  always  advisable  to  open  and  examine  every 
fowl  that  dies  in  the  flock.  This  may  enable  the  owner 
to  check  a  contagious  disease  in  its  incipiency  and  avoid 
great  loss.  But  in  any  case,  it  is  advisable  to  know 
what  fowls  die  from,  so  that  similar  occurrences  may 
be  recognized  and  prevented  in  the  future.  The  ana- 
tomy of  the  fowl  cannot  be  described  at  this  time  for 
lack  of  space,  but  anyone  who  is  in  the  habit  of  opening 
and  cleaning  chickens,  knows  the  general  appearance 
of  the  healthy  organs,  will  usually  recognize  marked 
departures  from  the  normal. 

If  fowls  die  from  unknown  diseases,  and  particularly 
if  they  die  in  large  numbers  from  disease  that  seems  to 


14 

be  contagious,  information  in  regard  to  these  affections 
may  be  obtained  by  correspondence  witli  tlie  State 
V'eterinariau,  and  it  is  desired  tliat  fowls  dying  from 
vague  diser.ses  shall  be  expressed  as  soon  as  possible 
after  they  are  dead  to  the  Veterinary  Uepartment  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia.  They 
should  be  v.'ra}>i)ed  in  cloth  and  heavy  paper,  packed  in 
straw,  nailed  up  in  a  box  with  a  cake  of  ice  and  ex- 
pressed as  promptly  as  possible.  A  letter  should 
always  be  forwarded  either  in  the  box  or  by  mail  ex- 
l)la!ning  the  general  symptoms  and  characteristics  of 
the  disease.     Such  shipments  may  be  made  C.  O.  D. 


THE  MEDICATION  OF  FOWLS. 


The  medication  of  individual  fowls  is  not  ditticult, 
but  requires  care  and  patience.  There  are  several  forms 
in  which  medicines  may  be  administered.  Pills  can  be 
given  most  readily.  It  is  only  necessary  to  secure  the 
bird,  open  its  bill  and  drop  the  pill  into  the  back  of  the 
mouth,  then  close  the  bill  and  if  the  bird  resists,  hold 
it  together  until  the  pill  has  been  swallowed. 

Fluids  are  sometimes  administered  from  a  spoon,  but 
if  the  fowl  is  badly  frightened  this  may  be  a  matter  of 
considerable  difficulty.  The  best  way  is  to  introduce  a 
small  rubber  tube,  about  a  third  of  an  inch  in  diameter, 
into  the  mouth,  pass  it  into  the  oesophagus  and  dow'n 
to  the  crop.  A  little  ex])erience  will  enable  one  tO'  do 
this  quickly  and  without  discomfort  to  the  bird.  Fluid 
medicines  in  any  desirable  quantity  can  be  introduced 
through  this  tube. 


15 

Pasty  mixliii-es  are  sometinip.s  ^iveii.  Medicines  are 
mixed  \Nitli  sticky  materials,  as  molasses,  honey,  etc., 
made  into  pasty  masses  and  placed  in  the  back  of  the 
mo-uth  witli  a  small  wooden  paddle.  Flocks  can  be 
treated,  when  the  birds  avIH  eat,  by  mixing  medicines 
with  the  food  or  dissolving  them  in  water.  Sometimes 
powders  are  given  by  si)rinkling  them  on  moist  grain. 
Chalk  is  frequently  given  in  this  way  to  birds  with 
diarrhoea  by  mixing  it  with  rice  that  has  been  moist- 
ened. It  thus  adheres  to  the  kernels  and  is  eaten  with- 
out reluctance. 

When  a  very  iAck  fowl  is  under  treatment,  it  is  bet- 
ter to  give  small  doses  at  frequent  intervals  than  large 
doses  at  long  intervals,  for  in  this  way  the  action  of  the 
medicine  can  be  measured  more  accurately  and  the 
proper  dose  can  be  ascertained  by  trials.  Fowls  of 
different  breeds  and  different  sizes  and  ages  require 
different  doses.  It  is  not  always  possible  to  determine 
these  accurately,  but  the  judgment  cf  the  poultry 
keeper  must  be  called  into  play  in  all  instances. 


DISINFECTION. 


Disinfection  is  alluded  to  very  frequently  in  the  fol- 
lowing pages  and  is  often  of  the  greatest  importance. 
Many  poultry  keepers  are  under  the  impression  that  it 
•s  sufficient  to  scatter  strong  smelling  jmwders  or  li- 
q.iids  about  the  cC'0j)S  or  poultry  houses,  and  that  so 
long  as  the  odor  of  these  materials  is  in  the  air.  the 
premises  are  undergoing  disinfection.     Nothing  could 


16 

be  more  inisJeadii'g  or  further  from  the  truth.  Disiu 
fection  is  practised  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  dis 
ease  producing  germs  and  disinfectants,  or  the  mate- 
rials used  for  disirfeeting,  will  only  destroy  germs  that 
they  come  in  eortact  with.  It  is  perfectly  evident  that 
when  disinfectants  are  scattered  about  carelessly  tkey 
oome  in  coDtact  with  a  very  small  fraction  of  the  entire 
surfaces  that  may  harbor  germs,  and  unless  all  of  these 
surfaces  are  covered  and  all  of  the  germs  reached  the 
disinfection  is  apt  to  be  fruitless.  In  order  that  dis- 
infection may  be  carried  out  properly  it  is  essential, 
ilrsit  of  all,  to  remove  the  manure,  litter  and  rubbish  of 
all  /dnds.  This  should  be  mixed  with  lime  and  placed 
in  barrels,  or  it  should  be  spread  on  fields  at  such  a  dis- 
tance from  the  poultry  runs  that  it  cannot  possibly 
contaminate  them.  However,  if  the  disease  is  a  viru- 
lent one  it  is  always  best  to  bum  manure  rather  than 
take  any  chances  with  it.  Then  the  interior  of  the 
building  should  be  thoroughly  swabbed  or  scrubbed 
out,  and  afterv. ards  the  disinfectants  can  be  employed. 
Disinfectants  are  best  used  in  solution  because  they 
can  then  be  applied  more  evenly  and  perfectly.  They 
can  be  a])plied  with  a  Itrush,  with  a  sprinkling  pot  or, 
best  of  all,  with  a  spray  pump,  such  as  is  used  for 
spr.aying  fruit  trees.  The  disinfectants  to  be  employed 
in  special  cases  are  mentioned  hereafter  in  connection 
with  the  prevention  of  the  different  diseases.  White- 
wash is  always  a  good  disinfectant,  but  its  value  can 
be  greatly  increased  for  this  purpose  by  adding  chloride 
of  lime  to  it,  one  pound  to  three  or  four  gallons,  or  car- 
bolic acid,  one  pint  to  the  bucketful. 


CHAPTER  1. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  SKIN, 


A.   I'hoae  caused  by  parasites. 

1.  FLEA8. 


The  bird  Ilea,  known  as  Pulexavium,  is  a  very  small, 
brownish  insect.  It  has  six  legs  but  is  without  wings. 
Its  body  is  somewhat  elongated  and  flattened  from 
side  to  side.  This  little  parasite  is  exceedingly  annoy- 
ing to  poultry  and  especially  to  pigeons.  It  is  very 
active  and  lives  not  only  on  the  bird  but  also  on  the 
perches  and  in  the  nests  and  crevices  of  poultry  houses. 
By  its  constant  biting  it  keeps  fowls  awake  and  causes 
them  to  scratch  and  hop  about  so  that  their  rest  is 
disturbed  and  eventually  they  become  thin  and  weak 
and  if  they  are  not  actually  killed  by  the  fleas,  which 
occurs  very  rarely,  they  are  so  harassed  tliat  they  are 
predisposed  to  other  diseases  and  in  this  way  the  flea 
may  be  an  indirect 
cause  of  death.  Pig- 
eons are  annoyed  by 
fleas  far  more  than 
other  poultry. 
The  remedy  is  to  al- 


2-1 


Labva  or  THE  Chioken  Flea. 
Twenty  times  natural  slze.l 

(17) 


18 


low  llie  birds  a  (lusliug  J)1ucl'  and  if  the  parasites  are 
very  nmueroiis  insect  powder  or  sulphur  should  be 
mixed  with  the  dusi  and  when  the  fowls  scratch  and 
burroiw  in  this  i^owder  it  enters  the  spaces  between  the 
feathers,  reaches  the  skin  and  so  obstructs  the  breath- 
ing openings  on  the  surface  of  the  flea  that  it  finds  the 
conditions  very  disagreeable  and  becoines  stu])efied 
and  falls  off  or  goes  away. 
Or  insect  powder  can  be 
blown  by  means  of  a  powder 
gun  or  blower  between  the 
feathers  of  the  alflioted  fowl. 
It  is  also  necessary  to  so 
treat  the  roosting  places, 
nests  and  poultry  houses 
that  the  fleas  will  be  either 
destrojed  or  driven  away,  liecause  if  this  is  not  done 
they  return  to  the  birds  as  soon  as  the  dust  is  shaken 
from  their  feathers.  Disinfection  can  be  accomplished 
by  spraying  the  interior  of  the  building  with  a  solu- 
tion of  carbolic  acid  (one  part  to  twenty  parts  of 
water).  Or  a  kerosene  emulsion,  such  as  is  used  for 
spraying  fruit  trees,  can  be  employed  for  the  same  pur- 
l)ose. 


Head  op  the  Chicken  Flea. 
Thirty  times  natural  size. 


2.  LTOE. 


Bird  lice  differ  considerably  from  the  ordinary  lice 
of  haired  animals.  They  do  not  suck  blood  as  those 
do  and  cannot,  for  they  are  proyided  with  a  mouth 


19 


that  ouh"  eiables  llioin  to  bite.  Tliey  live  on  the 
crusts,  scales  and  dead  cells  that  gather  on  the  surface 
of  the  skin  and  that  are  prevented  from  falling  off  by 
the  featliiers. 

There  are  several  vai'ieties  of  lice  belonging  to  four 
principal  genera:  these  are  Goniodes,  Goniocotes,  Lip- 
eurus  and  Menopen.  While  these  parasites  differ  eon; 
siderably  as  regards  their  shape  and  size  they  resem- 
ble each  other  very  closely  in  their  habits.  All  of 
them  are  very  small  insects,  from  1-100  to  Id  incli 
l&ng  and  their  bodies  are  plainly  divided  into  three 
I)arts;  the  head  is  very  large  and  fiat,  the  thorax,  or 
second  segment,  is  roundish  and  considerably  smaller 
than  the  head ;  the  abdomen,  oi 
most  posterior  segment,  is  long, 
oval  and  plump.  Their  color 
is  usually  grayish  or  yellowish, 
but  some  of  them  show  differ- 
<?rit  shades  of  brown.  Although 
these  parasites  do  not  pene- 
trate the  skin  and  suck  the 
blood  as  fleas  do,  and  as  the 
lice  of  mammals  do,  they  cause 
a  gieat  deal  of  itching  and  an- 
noyance while  ci'awling  about 
over  the  sui-faee  and  sometimes  chicken  louse. 

they  bite  the  skin  and  in  that      Goniode><disximiu.%  m&ie. 

,     .      . ,     _  One  ol'  the  most  common  va- 

way    occasion    mi.eh    irritation,    neties.     20  times  natural  size. 

At  one  time  it  was  thought  that  lice  were  bred  by 
filth  and  that  tbey  generated  themselves,  as  it  were, 
in  dirty  places,  but  it  has  been  shown  that  this  is  not 
the  case  and  that  they  are  only  produced  by  like  para- 
sites and  luive  the  property  of  reproducing  themselves 


20 


Chicken  Louse. 
(iinniiciitex  yiiins,  female. 
Ten  times  natural  size. 


with  great  rapidity.  It  lias 
been  estimated  that  tlie  third 
o-eneratioii  springing'  from  a 
single  individual  may  reach 
the  enonnous  number  of  125,- 
000  within  twelve  weeks. 

While  it  is  true  that  ne- 
glect, dirt,  fllth,  etc.,  favor  the 
growtli  and  propagation  of 
lice,  it  should  always  be  re- 
membered that  they  cannot 
appear  in  the  poultry  yard 
unless  they  are  brought  in  by 
an  infested  fowl  or  by  a  cage 
that  a  fowl  has  been  in  or 
some  other  object  that  an  in- 
fested fo^^l  lias  been  in  contact  with.  I»ut  foAvls  are 
interchanged  so  frecpiently  and  fowls  of  ditferenl 
owners  oome  in  contact  in  so  many  wayis  at  poultry 
shows,  in  markets,  etc.,  that  it  is  not  at  all  difficult  foi- 
a  yard  that  was  previously  free  from  these  parasites  to 
become  infested  when  least  suspected. 

These  parasites  occasion  as  much  loss  as  any  disease 
that  fowls  are  subject  tO'.  ^^'hile  they  alone  do  not 
often  kill  birds,  in  many  cases  they  so  annoy  them  b\ 
their  constant  irritation  that  they  ]>revent  sleep  and 
rest  so  thai  fowls  and  especially  young  ones  do  not 
grow  and  thi-ivc'  as  they  should,  and  Ix'comc  thin  and 
delicate.  In  this  condition  they  do  not  produce  eggs 
noir  are  they  good  for  food,  and  so  long  as  they  con- 
tinue to  remain  badly  infested  with  lice  they  are  ab- 
solutely unproductive  and  worthless. 

The  conditions  that  are  most  favorable  to  the  pro- 
pagation of  lice  have  already  been  mentioned  briefly. 


21 


Attention  should  also  be  called  to  the  fact  that  poultry 
houses  that  are  dark  and  damp  fninish  very  favorable 
places  for  the  growth  of  these  insects.  Tlien,  also, 
fowls  that  are  poor  in  condi- 
tion are  jnore  apt  to  be  in- 
fested with  lice  than  those 
that  are  in  goiod  condition, 
healthy  and  sturdy.  It  has 
been  noticed  fre(iuently  that 
where  there  are  a  number  of 
fowls  in  an  infested  pen 
tlnose  that  are  least  rugged 
harbor  tlie  most  lice.  The 
probable  reason  fcir  tliis  is 
that  fowls  in  poor  condition 
have    a    somcAvhat    drv    and 

„  ■       .  Chicken  Louse. 

SCniTy     Skm      which     provides        CJonwcotes  hrAouastei;  male. 

Forty  times  natural  size. 

more  hiding  places  and  more  food  for  lice  than  the 
smooth,  pliable  skin  of  the  perfectly  healthy  bird. 
When  fowls  are  afflicted  in  this  way  it  can  be  noticed 
that  they  are  uneasy  and  restless,  they  are  constantly 
pecking  at  different  parts  of  the  body  and  scratching 
and  shaking  themselves.  They  also  have  an  inclina- 
tion to  dust  themselves  and  when  caught  and  ex- 
amined the  lice  can  frequently  be  seen,  when  tlie  feath- 
ers are  spread  apait.  and  especially  about  the  head 
and  neck,  where  they  cannot  be  reached  by  the  bill  of 
the  animal,  beneath  the  wings  and  sometime*  on  all 
parts  of  the  body.  They  may  also  be  found  in  many 
cases,  if  a  careful  search  is  made,  in  the  nests,  on  th<' 
perches  and  in  cracks  and  out-of-the-way  places  at  any 
point  in  the  building. 

In  attemjiting  to  destroy  lice  it  is  necessjiry  not  only 
to  treat  the  fowl  but  also  the  j)remises  occu]iied  by  it. 


22 


because  if  we  simply  destroy  those 
that  ane  on  the  bird  they  will  retiini 
aj^ain  from  the  surroundings  just  as 
lleas  do.  In  treating  an  animal  lor 
the  purpose  of  destroying  lice  two 
metliods  may  be  employed.  We  may 
use  substances  that  will  poison  the 
lice  outright  or  we  niay  use  sub- 
stances that  are  not  poisonous  in 
themselves  but  which  destroy  lice  by 
obstructing  the  jiores  on  the  surface 
of  the  insect  and  thus  shutting  off  its 
supply  oif  air  and  suffocating  it.  The 
latter  plan  is  pieferable  in  the  case 
of  young  and  weak  birds.  Little  chick- 
ens but  a  few  days  old  frequ.Mitly  ^"^  ^^^°g^f '^'"'^^ 
accpiire  lice  from  their  mothers  or  L'pcurmvm-iabiUs, 
their  surroundings  and  are  sometimes  annoyed  ser- 
iously by  them.  In  these  cases  it  is  advisable  to  apply 
a  siuiall  quantity  of  bland  oil,  such  as  sweet  oil  or  cot- 
ton-seed oil,  to  the  chicken's  head  and  perhaps  to  the 
sides  of  the  neck  if  the  i)arasites  are  very  numerous,  or 
lard  maj  be  used  for  the  same  puri)ose.  In  the  case  of 
older  fowls  sulphur  ointment  is  a  very  efflcient  remedy. 
It  should  be  applied  in  small  quantity  about  the  head, 
sides  of  the  neck,  beneath  the  wings  and  around  the 
vent.  Or  insect  powder  {pyrethrum)  may  be  blown  be- 
tweent  the  feathers  and  this  will  destroy  or  drive  away 
the  lice.  If  the  fowl  is  to  be  liberated  immediately  af- 
ter the  powder  is  apjjlied  it  is  well  to  first  dampen  the 
feathers  so  tiiat  ii  will  not  be  at  once  sliaken  oft\  A 
dust  bath  should  always  be  provided,  and  this  goes  a 
very  long  way  toward  keeping  fowls  free  from  all  sorts 
of  skin  parasites.  It  is  frequently  advisable  to  add  in- 
sect x^O'Wder  oi'  sulphur  to  tlie  dust. 


23 


Ncuiiiaiin  records  a  c.  a  s  o 
wlicie  a  fariiUM*  took  Ihe  plaster 
fioiii  a  l)uildin<i-  thai  was  beiu|j; 
toiii  down  and  threw  it  into  the 
I'oad  so  that  it  nii<;ht  be  thor- 
ouGihlv  i)nlverized  by  passinjj; 
wagciis.  This  powdered  plaster 
was  thrown  into  a  poultry  house 
infested  with  lice  and  a  dust 
bath  was  made  of  it,  with  the  re- 
sult that  the  lice  disappeared 
completely  within  a  short  time,  the  pale  chicken  loose. 

.         ,,     "^      1         „  .         ,.         Mennuen  pallidum,  female. 

Another  plan  for  removing  lice  Probabiy  the  most  common 

is     to     place     the     body     of     the^*"®*^-    20  times  natural  size. 

fowl  in  a  box  provided  with  an  opening  through 
which  the  head  can  project.  The  box  is  then  filled 
with  sulj)hur  fumes  which  destroy  the  lice  very 
quickly,  A  wash  of  very  w'eak  carbolic  acid  solution 
or  of  weak  creolin  solution  has  also  been  recommended 
for  this  purpose,  but  it  is  not  well  to  dampen  the  fowl 
if  it  can  be  avoided  because  they  are  so  very  prone  to 
take  cold. 

The  destruction  of  the  lice  in  the  poultry  house  ne- 
cessitates the  thorough  cleansing  of  the  building.  The 
movable  lixtures  should  be  removed,  the  walls  should 
be  thoroughly  swabbed  or  washed  down,  the  floor 
shfMild  be  scraped  and  scrubbed  and  then  the  entire  in- 
terior should  be  whitewashed  with  a  withwash  to 
whi(t;h  chloi-ide  of  lime  (one  pound  to  four  gallons)  has 
been  added.  Or  prior  to  the  whitewashing  the  inter- 
ior of  the  building  may  be  s])rayed  with  a  solution  of 
carbolic  acid  (one  part  to  twenty  of  water)  or  fumi- 
gated by  burning  suljihur  after  all  of  the  cracks  and 


24 

crevices  have  been  carefull.v  clo!<ed.  Kerosene  emul- 
sion is  also  highly  etlicienl  as  a  spray  for  the  interior 
of  an  infested  poultry  house.  The  perches  and  nests 
should  be  scrubbed  with  a  strong  solution  of  washing 
soda  or  lye  or  scalded  with  hot  water.  If  this  treat- 
ment is  carried  out  and  if  the  poultry  house  is  white- 
washed two  or  three  times  a  year  there  will  be  little 
trouble  in  keeping  the  fowls  free  from  lice. 


3.  MITES  AND  TICKS. 


These  parasites  are  usually,  though  improperly,  de- 
scribed as  lice.  They  are  exceedingly  annoying  to  all 
kinds  of  poultry  and  sometimes  cause  such  loss  of  con- 
dition that  lice  are  suspected  but  none  can  be  found. 

THE  COMMON  POULTRY  MITE,  the  Dermanyssus 
gallince,  is  a  small,  oblong  parasite,  about  1-32  of  an 
inch  long  and  1-70  of  an  inch  broad.  It  it  provided 
with  eight  legs  and  each  foot  has  two  claws. 

The  abdomen  is  surrounded  by  short  bristles.  The 
color  is  yellowish  or  brownish,  but  when  the  animal 
is  full  of  blood  it  becomes  dark  brown  or  dull  red. 
The  back  sometimes  «ihows  little  white  spots.  This 
parasite  is  one  of  the  most  destructive  known.  It  af- 
fects all  varieties  of  domestic  fowls  and  sometimes 
when  present  in  large  numbers  passes  to  other  ani- 
mals, cattle,  dogs,  cats,  horses  and  sometimes  to  peo- 
ple. One  of  the  striking  peculiarities  in  regard  to  it 
is  that  it  does  most  of  its  work  at  night.    Upon  the  ap- 


proach  of  dav  it  leaves  its  victim  and  retires  to  a  dark, 
secluded  spot.  A  space  beneath  tlie  end  of  the  perch 
or  under  the  nest  or  between  the  cracks  of  the  floor 


The  Ked  Poultky  Mite. 
Dermanyssus  oaUinoe—  Female— 80  times  natural  size. 

or  vv'alls  nuiy  sometimes  contain  a  large  number  of 
these  parasites,  both  male  and  female,  together  with 
a  quantity  of  eggs  and  young.  They  multiply  so  rap- 
idly that  after  a  few  have  been  introduced  into  the 
poultry  house  it  may  become  overrun  within  a  few 
weeks,  lliis  mite  is  very  resistant  and  difficull  to  de- 
stroy. Some  of  them  have  been  prescivcil  alive  with- 
out food  for  more  than  a  year. 

In  contradistinction  to  the  habit  of  the  bird  lice,  this 


26 

I)arasite  sucks  tho  blood  of  its  victim  and  one  tif  tlicMn 
may  rt-movt'  (juilc  an  ap])iet'iable  (juantity.  It  is  es- 
pecially liard  on  young  chickens  and  tui-keys  and  on 
setting  liens.  In  tlie  former  case,  by  preventing  rest 
at  night  and  by  removing  blood  from  the  weak  and 
grooving  bird,  it  i)roduces  weakness  and  sometimes 
death.  In  the  latter  (•as(\  by  constantly  distuibing  the 
setting  ken  during  the  night  when  she  should  have  pei'- 
fect  rest,  the  annoyance  may  be  so  great  that  she  will 
be  impelled  to  leave  the  nest  and  allow  the  eggs  to  be- 
come chilled  or  in  lier  endeaver  to  lelieve  herself  of 
the  parasites,  the  eggs  may  be  broken.  The  remedies 
to  be  employed  to  destroy  these  parasites  are  similar 
to  those  employed  for  destroying  bird  lice.  But  in 
this  case  the  disinfection  and  cleansing  of  the  sur- 
roundings are  of  even  greater  importance.  Special 
pains  should  be  employed  to  introduce  whatever  dis- 
infecting solution  is  used  into  all  cracks  and  s])aces 
where  these  parasites  might  lodge.  Carbolic  acid  so- 
lution (1  to  20)  especiall  valuable  for  this  purpose,  and 
if  a  good  treatment  of  the  building  with  it  is  followed 
by  the  application  of  whitewash  the  insets  can  be 
thoroughly  eradicated. 

The  iniil)  TK'K  (^Argas  marginaius)  is  in  some 
respects  similar  to  the  parasite  above  described.  It 
is  confined  to  pigeons.  It  is  of  an  oval  shape,  of  a 
brownisli  color,  and  its  head  is  located  beneath  the 
body.  It  sucks  the  blood  from  its  victim  and  some- 
times o  ecu  res  in  such  large  numbers  that  it  destroys 
])igeons  in  two  weeks,  producing  death  from  exhaus- 
tion. It  is  found  most  frecjuently  about  the  neck  and 
beneath  the  breast,  but  it  may  also  appear  on  other 
jtarts  of  the  body.  Sometimes  it  |)asses  to  those  who 
have  to  handle  infested  ])igeons.  and  in  these  cases  it 


27 

iiiiiv  cjuist'  by  its  bile  a  vcrv  |)aiiifiil  ilcliiuj^'  spot  tlial 


2   H 


N\ill  i\-maiii  soru  for  several  da^s.  ^^'lu'U  these  i)ara- 
sites  are  found  adherent  fo  tlie  slviii  of  llie  pigeon,  they 
should  be  covered  willi  oil  or  with  benzine.  This  ena- 
bles one  to  ])ull  Ihem  off  without  leavinji'  the  head  in 
the  skin.  If  the  head  is  broken  off  a  soi'e  place  re- 
sults. Tlic  deansinii:  and  disinfection  of  the  pigeoji 
house   is  of  the   {greatest    importance   and   should   be 


28 

carried  out  in  tlie  most  thorough  manner.  The  inte- 
rior should  be  thoroughly  scraped  and  scrubbed  and 
then  fumigated  or  spraved  and   whitewashed. 


4,  MANGE. 


Mange  of  birds  is  of  two  Ivinds:  Tliat  affecting  the 
feathered  parts  of  the  body  and  that  atfecting  the  legs 
and  feet.  Of  the  first  kind  there  are  two  principal 
varieties,  whieli  have  such  prominent  cliaractenstics 
that  they  can  usually  be  distinguished  williuut  diffi- 
culty. Marge  of  the  legs  and  feet  is  considered  on 
page  83,  in  eoiiUection  with  the  diseases  of  the  legs 
•ind  feet.  Foi'turatel3%  mange  of  poultry  is  not  com- 
uron  in  this  country,  but  as  we  are  constantly  import- 
ing fow^ls  ocf  all  descriptions  from  all  parts  of  the 
\vorld,  and  corstantly  interchanging  them,  the  disease 
may  be  introduced  into  any  locality  at  any  time,  and 
it  is  therefore  important  that  it  should  be  understocxl 
so  that  its  ravages  may  be  checked  before  extensive  in 
jury  has  been  occasioned. 


MANGE  OF    THE   iiODY. 


The  first  vaiicty  of  body  man.ue  is  caused  by  an  ex- 
ceedingly small  parasite  Icnowii  as  Epidermopter  bilo- 
batus.       Tlie   first    indication   (tf  this  ilis<*ase  is   the  ai» 


•2*J 

I)wiiaiie(.'  of  a  ban-e  S]>ot  about  the  ueelc  O'l-  ou  the  head. 
The  feathei'S  become  dry  and  brittle  and  either  break 
off  or  fall  out.  Then  tlie  skin  becomes  covered  with 
.Yellowish  scales  which  giadually  increase  in  thickness 
as  the  disease  advances  until  they  sonietimes  reach  a 
thickness  of  an  eiahtli   of  an  inch.     AVlien   old,  these 


The  Parasite  of  One  Form  of  Body— Mange  of  F'owls. 
Epidermoptes  hiJofiatiix,  Female -150  times  actual  size. 

scales  are  grayish  and  have  the  appearance  of  thick 
scabs.  If  they  are  pulled  off  it  is  found  that  the  skin 
beneath  is  red  and  bleeds  easily.  As  a  rule  these 
areas  do  not  ilch,  but  sometimes  they  do,  and  then  the 
bird  scratclies  them  vijxorously.  After  becominp:  es- 
tablished about  llie  head  and  neck  the  disease  may 
spread  io  the  body  and  sometimes  covers  a  very  large 
surface.  The  symplonis  of  this  affection  resemble 
those  of  fiivus  so  close] v  that  it  has  been  thought  bv 


:5i) 


some  thai  ihc  discnsi'  is  in  facl  pi  educed  by  a  v<'jj;(*- 
table  par.asito.  biil  as  yet 
this  has  not  been  proven. 
The  other  v;iriety  of 
body  nranuc  is  caused  by 
a  parasite  i;n;)\\ii  as 
Sarcoptes      hvvis.  Of 

hite  years  it  lias  bei-n 
coininon  in  Kurope.  aiid 
has  jt.revr.iled  espceiallv 
dnrinfj  thc^  sprinji-  and 
summer.  It  may  be<;in 
on  any  part  of  the  body 
and  usually  spreads  un 
tit  the  entire  skin  is  af- 
fected. When  it  has 
reached    this    stase    the 

The  PAKAsiTi;  of  One  Form  of  Boot 

whole  body  is  bare  and  -mange of  fowi-s. 

the  only  feathers  that  re- ;;;^  actual  size. 

main  are  a  few  in  the  tail  and  some  in  the  w  inj^s. 
The  skin  is  healthy  in  appearance,  with  the  exception 
that  it  is  devoid  of  covering.  It  is  smooth,  flexible 
and  noiiual  in  color.  There  is  no  itcliino:  and  the  gen- 
eral health  of  the  f oa\  1  is  usually  good,  although  some- 
times, after  having  l)een  afflicted  for  a  long  time  it  nuiy 
become  thin  and  gradually  waste  away.  When  feath- 
ers are  pulled  out  ou  the  border  of  the  diseased  area 
it  is  noticed  that  the  lower  end  of  the  sheath  is  covered 
with  scaly^  layers  and  the  i)arasite  can  usually  be  dis- 
covered among  them. 

SchaelTer  has  recently  reported  a  case  where  this 
disease  ajjpeared  among  a  Hock  of  70  hens  and  nearly 
all  of  them  lost  all  of  their  feathers,  with  the  exception 
of  those   in    tlu^   wings   and   tail.     The   parasite   could 


31 

easilv'be  found   Uv   piilliiiji  out  :i   ffuthef  and  t'xamiii 
iu?  its  base.      'Plies*'  fowls  Ii.hI  1»h<-ii  l<e[>t  in  dirtv  pens 


The  Pakasite  of  One  Form  of  Body— Mange  of  Fowls. 
Sarcoptea  Iwvis,  male— 200  times  natural  size, 

and  were  also  afflicted  uith  mauj^e  of  the  legs.  Tlic 
pens  were  re-arranged  and  cleaned  and  the  fowls  were 
sprinkled  twice  a  week  with  a  weak  solution  of  creolin 
poured  on  to  them  from  a  watering  pot,  with  the  result 
that  in  about  four  months  they  had  recovered  and 
feathered  out  again. 

The  treatment  to  be  employed  in  these  eases  is  first 
of  all  to  isolate  the  afflicted  fowls.  Then  disinfect 
the  premises  that  they  have  occupied,  and  afterward 
give  them  individual  treatment  if  they  are  worth  it. 
The  local  treatment  consists  in  the  application  to  the 
diseased  skin  of  remedies  that  will  destroy  the  para- 
site pi'oducing  the  disease.     One  of  the  best  applica- 


32 

tio-n.s  for  this  j)iirit().s<^  i.s  a  solnlion  of  balsam  of  l*eru 
in  aJc(>hoI  (1  part  to  5).  This  can  be  applied  Avith  a 
sponge  oi'  soft  brush,  and  should  reach  not  only  the 
diseased  area  but  the  healthy  skin  for  a  distance  of 
about  an  inch  on  all  sides.  Another  eflicient  applica- 
tion is  sulphur  ointment,  or  a  solution  of  creolin  (1 
j)art  to  50)  may  be  used,  but  shctuld  be  ap])lied  lij^htly 
and  not  rubbed  in,  because  if  apjilied  too  fieely  or 
energetically  it  may  poison  the  fowl. 


.'j.   PROTOZOA. 


liarnyard  f(>\vls,  tr.ikeys.  and  especially  pigeons,  are 
sometimes  attacked  by  a  peculiar  wart-like  growth 
That  apiicars  about  the  head,  the  base  of  the  beak,  the 
eyelids  and  ilie  orifices  of  the  nose,  and  sometimes 
spreads  to  the  base  of  the  wings  and  the  general  sur- 
face of  the  body.  These  growths  are  yellow  and 
smooth  and  resemble  the  warts  that  frequently  appear 
on  the  hands.  They  are  contagious,  spreading  from 
one  bird  to  another,  usually  slowly,  but  sometimes 
with  considerable  rapidity,  and  aie  caused  by  a  minute 
animal  parasite  belonging  to  the  Protozoa. 

That  these  growths  are  contagious  has  been  fre- 
quently proven  by  experimentation.  One  of  them  can 
be  removed  and  a  small  portion  of  it  rubbed  over  the 
scarified  skin  of  a  healthy  fowl.  Within  eight  or  ten 
days  the  surface  will  show  a  perceptible  elevation  at 
ihe  point  of  inoculation,  and  a  few  days  later  the  new 
warty  growth  ^^ill  be  plainly  developed.     These  warts 


33 

iii-*'  not  (I(  stiuc1iv(  lo  the  j)ioeon  unless  tlioy  are  yovy 
Uiimci'ous.  01-  occMii-  so  jdcnt ifnlly  iiboul  tlic  eyes  and 
nose  as  to  obstruct  those  o.peninjys.  or  spre.ul  from  the 


Protozoa,  from  a  Fowls  Intestine. 
Coccidivm  ]J67\f(rram, 
a.  b.  coccidia  extracted  from  the  epithe'ial  cells  of  the  intestine  and  rep- 
resenting the  flrst  phases  of  development ;    0.  encysted    coccidium    found 
tree  in  the  intestine  ;  d.  adult  coccidium  encysted  in  an  enlar"-ed  and  de- 
formed epithelial  cell. 

(•i)rners  of  the  beak  into  the  mouth.  If  they  are  num- 
erous in  tliese  localities  they  cause  serious  inconven- 
ience, the  bird  becomes  thin  and  weak  and  finally  dies. 
The  English  poulterers  sometimes  refer  to  this  disease 
as  a  pox  of  the  chicken  but  this  designation  is  very 
misleading  because  fowls  do  not  suffer  from  pox  in  the 
sense  that  maniirais  do. 

The  remedy  for  these  warts  is  to  remove  all  infected 
birds  from  the  pigeon  loft,  renew  the  nests,  clean  the 
interior  and  treat  the  individual  by  burning  the  wart 
out  with  a  hot  iron  or  apply  tincture  of  iodine  or  tur- 
pentine. Creolin  is  also  efficient,  but  it  is  neces.sary 
that  the  top  of  the  growth  should  be  sliced  off  before 
the  creolin  is  applied,  then  by  placing  a  drop  on  the 
end  of  the  wart  and  reneAving  the  application  every 
three  or  four  days  as  long  as  necessary,  the  condition 
may  be  permanently  ciii-ed.  Tincture  of  iodine  con- 
stitutes bv  far  the  best  remedv. 


3-1 


'M 


«).  FA\'i;s. 


In  some  respects  lliis  disease  i-eseiubles  inaiiti:<\  It 
is,  however,  produced  by  an  entirely  different  parasite, 
and  on  dose  exsnMnation  it  can  be  seen  that  the  condi- 
tion of  the  skin  is  different  from  that  whicli  exists  in 
mange.  The  parasite 
of  favns  is  a  vegetable 
«j:rowth,  known  as  Acho- 

rion  schorleinii, 

Favus     usually     com- 
mences about  the   comb, 

head  and  neck.  It  causes 

the  feathers    to    become 

brittle  and  break  off  and 

fall  out,  and  when  these 

are  examined  clO'sely  it 
is  seen  that  their  interior 
is  filled  with  scales  and 

with    branching    threads 

cesembling  minute  roots. 

These  are  the  filaments 
of  the  vegetable  parasite 

or  fungus.  When  the 
comb  is  involved,  it  becomes  swollen,  its  surface  be 
comes  scaly,  whitish  and  powderly.  The  eyelids  are 
frequently  afl'eeted,  ajid  in  some  rare  cases  the  feath- 
ered surfaces  are  involved  to  such  an  extent  that  the 
bird  becomes  almost  naked.  tTpon  the  skin  there  de- 
velops a  thick  yellowish  or  grayish  crust  or  scab  in  the 
form  of  rather  small,  roundish  disks,  depressed  at  the 
centre.     Tlie  odor  of  tli<'  diseased  bird  is  peculiai-  and 


Head  and  Neck  of  a  Fowl,  Affected 
WITH  Generalized  Favus. 


85 

disagreeable  and  resembles  that  of  a  mouldy  or  musty 
grain  bin.  It  becomes  tliin,  weak,  exhausted,  and  uu 
less  relieved  it  dies. 

If  a  small  poi-tion  of  a  crust  or  the  contents  of  a 
feather  growing  on  the  diseased  skin  is  mioistened  with 
a  weak  solution  of  acetic  acid  and  placed  under  the 
microscope  it  will  be  seen  tliat  it  is  made  up  of  cells 


Thk  Achorion  Scho)ilein  of  the  Favds  of  Poultry. 
Bight  hundred  times  natural  size;  tv,  empty  tubes;  tp,  tubes  containing 
protoplasm  and  spores;  s,  isolated  spores. 

from  the  skiu  among  ^^bich  thread-like  branching  fila- 
ments penetrate  in  all  directions.  There  are  also  nii 
merous  little  round  bodies  which  are  the  spo-res  or 
seeds  of  the  parasitic  plants.  Favus  is  contagio-us 
and  spreads  from  one  animal  to  another.  It  is  more 
apt  to  affect  animals  that  are  in  poor  health  and  weak 
than  those  which  ;ue  hearty  and  strong.  It  is  also 
more  apl  to  star-t  at  a  ])oint  where  the  skiu  is  broken 
than  where  it  is  intact.     Tliere  are  numerous  observa 


36 

lions  (III  i(M(n-(l  wliicli  scciii  to  indie;! Ic  lluil  f;i\iis  nniy 
be  I'onininnifaUd  from  I'owls  lo  man  ami   il   is  impor 
tant  thei'cfo'i'e  that  birds  in   (his  condition   slioiihl  be 
handled  very  carefully. 

The  diseased  fowls  should  in  ail  cases  be  reuioved 
fr>m  the  flock  as  Sioon  as  this  malady  is  reeojiuized. 
Then  they  may  be  treated  by  applying  oil  or  glycerine 
(o  soften  the  scab,  and  when  this  has  been  removed  an 
a  [(plication  of  creolin  (1  part  to  water  30  parts),  or  car- 
bolic aoid  (1  part  to  water  100  parts),  should  be  used, 
or  the  suiface  may  be  ])ainred  with  tincture  of  iodine, 
or  an  ointment  coanjiosed  of  benzine,  1  i)ait,  and  soft 
soap,  20  parts,  may  be  ai»plied  and  thoroufjlily  rubbed 
in. 


B.  Those  not  caused  by  parasites. 

I.  IKKITATIOX  OF  THE  SKIN. 


It  sometimes  happens  that  when  fowls  are  exposed 
to  cold  rains  or  to  draughts  while  ^hey  are  wet  or  to  an 
accidental  a])plication  of  irritant  drugs,  such  as  car- 
bolic acid,  kerosene  (H'  similar  substances,  sometimes 
used  fO'F  the  purpose  of  killing  lice,  that  the  skin  be- 
comes- iriitated  and  i-ed.  The  redness  may  continue 
for  several  days  and  Mmw  feathers  mwy  droj)  from 
the  affected  parts.  This  condition  is  not  very  serious, 
and  can  easily  be  remedied  by  ap])lying  mild  ointments 
such  as  the  oxide  of  /inr  ointment  or  cosmoline.  The 
removal  of  tlic  canse  is  usually  sniticieut  to  etfecl  a 
cure. 


37 

1'.   INFLAMAIATIOX  OF  TIJK  .^KIX. 


The  eai:ses  of  ilie  previous  aifeetioii  when  uimsuallv 
severe,  w  when  they  rontinue  to  net  for  a  considera- 
ble time,  piodnce  not  only  the  mild  condition  above 
described,  but  also  an  inflammation  of  the  skin  that 
is  miore  or  less  intense.  A  similar  condition  may  re- 
sult from  the  accumulation  around  the  posterior  por- 
tion of  the  body.  In  cold  weather  these  accumulations 
alternately  thaw  and  freeze  and  pull  upon  the  feath- 
ers they  are  attached  to,  thus  leading  to  an  inflanima 
tiou  of  the  adjacent  skin  that  can  be  recognized  by  red 
ness,  swelling,  tenderness  to  pressure  and  discharge 
from  the  surface. 

The  remedy  consists  in  cleansing  the  skin  by  the  use 
of  soap  aiul  water,  cutting  off  the  feathers  if  necessary, 
and  then  ap])lyiug  the  ointment  al>ove  mentioned. 


DISTrKP.ED  MOULTING. 


During  the  spring  while  fowls  are  shedding  their 
feathers  they  ai'e  in  a  delicate  condition  and  are  moae 
apt  to  become  diseased  u])on  exposure  to  deleterious 
influences  than  at  any  other  time.  Their  tendeniess 
and  loss  of  vitality  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  they  lose 
their  spirits  and  activity  to  some  extent.  Their  ap 
pptifps  ai'p  somewhat  ca]>rioious,  and  the  ]H'oduction 
of  eggs  falls  off  very  greatly.     If  the  loss  of  c(mdition 


iit  this  time  is  iiuusually  great,  or  if  the  fowl  is  poorly 
nourished  or  weukeued  fixjiu  any  cause,  moulting  is 
retarded  and  the  old  feathers  remain  in  the  plumage, 
giving  the  fowl  an  unkempt,  faded,  weathei'-beaten  ap- 
pearance. This  result  is  frequently  dependent  upon 
improper  feeding  at  this  critical  time. 

To  achieve  the  best  results,  fowls  must  ahvays  be 
fed  carefully  and  their  rations  should  be  as  nearly  bal- 
anced as  possible.  During  the  moulting  season  espec- 
ial care  is  neecessary,  and  the  food  should  be  more 
tiitrogerous  than  at  other  times.  Unless  fowls  have 
the  material  in  them  and  in  their  food  for  the  produc- 
tion of  new  feathers  the  old  ones  will  not  be  shed.  In 
order  that  unusually  nutritious  food  may  be 
thoroughly  digested  it  is  necessary  that  the  fowls 
should  have  free  exercise  in  the  open  air,  but  they 
should  also  be  protected  from  bad  weather,  from 
cold  rains  and  ^^hen  delicate  should  be  housed  early 
in  the  evening.  A  diet  containing  meat,  either  raw  or 
cooked,  and  bones,  is  appropriate  for  moulting  fowls, 
and  it  is  also  well  to  give  some  stimulating  food,  such 
as  chopped  onions  or  garlic,  or  a  small  quantity  of 
pepper.  Some  of  the  English  poulterers  recommend 
stale  bread  soaked  in  ale  for  valuable  fowls  during 
the  moulting  season,  and  the  Douglas  mixture  is  also 
in  high  rejtute  among  them.  This  mixture  is  made 
by  dissolving  1  oz.  of  sulphuric  acid  and  half  a  pound 
of  sulpliate  of  iron  in  two  gallons  of  water.  One  or 
two  table.^poorsful  of  this  solution  are  placed  in 
each  pint  of  the  drinking  water,  and  the  effect  is  that 
of  a  genth^  tonic.  One  should  always  pay  pai"ticular 
attention  to  the  cleanliness  of  I  he  poultry  house  dui-- 
ing  the  moulting  season,  bccanso  if  lice  or  mites  ai-o 
[)rpsent  then  they  will  do  moi-e  hai'ni  than  at  other 
times. 


39 

4.  OBSTKUCTION   OF  THE   KUMP  GLAND. 


There  is  a  glaud  at  the  poiut  of  the  rump  that  se- 
cretes an  oily  substance  that  tends  to  keep  the  feath- 
ers in  this  region  oily  and  sleek.  This  gland  is  the 
largest  of  the  sui)erficial  glands  of  the  body  and  some- 
times the  orifice  through  which  it  discharges  its  secre- 
tion becomes  obstructed.  Then  the  region  of  the 
gland  swells  and  becomes  painful.  It  may  swell  to 
such  an  extent  that  it  reaches  the  size  of  a  walnut. 
This  causes  considerable  ])ain,  the  afflicted  fowl  be- 
comes sluggish  and  generally  indisposed  and  when  it 
is  caught  and  examined  the  local  swelling  can  be 
readily  disoO'vered. 

If  the  gland  cannot  be  emptied  by  gentle  pressure  a 
small  incision  should  be  made  into  it  with  a  sharp 
knife  and  its  contents  removed.  If,  however,  the  con- 
dition has  existed  for  a  long  time,  the  gland  may  fill 
with  a  thick,  cheesy-like  material  that  cannot  be 
stpieezed  out.  It  then  becomes  necessary  to  make  a 
somewhat  larger  opening  and  scoop  the  substance  out 
with  the  handle  of  a  small  spoon  or  some  similar  ob 
ject.  Then  the  cavity  should  be  washed  out  by  in- 
jecting into  it  a  vei'y  weak  solution  of  carbolic  acid 
d  part  of  carbolic  acid  to  200  of  water),  or  a  solution 
of  boracic  acid  (15  grs.  to  the  ounce).  To  prevent  the 
parts  from  becoming  hard  while  healing  an  ap])lica 
tion  of  oil  or  cosmoline  should  be  made. 


3-1 


CHAPTER  11. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BREATHING 
ORGANS. 


A. — Those  caused  by  parasites. 
1.  GAPES. 

Gapes  undoubtedly  destroy  more  young  chickens 
than  any  other  disease.  Tt  is  a  disease  caused  by  a 
small  worm  that  occu])ies  the  upper  air  passages.  This 
womi  \\as  first  discovered  near  Baltimore  by  Wiesen- 
thal  in  1791).  Sicce  then  it  has  been  described  by  nu- 
merous zoologists  and  is  at  present  found  in  all  parts 
of  this  couuti-y  and  Europe.     All  of  the  domestic  fowls 


Gape  Worm.— Syngamustrachealis. 
Natural  size  and  five  times  natural  size. 

are  attacked  by  it  and  some  of  the  semi  wild  birds. 
In  Europe  it  causes  great  loss  among  the  pheasants. 


41 


The  worm  is  kiio\\u  as  Syngamous  irachealis,  is  of  a 
reddiish  color  and  the  feiiiak^  is  about  Gine-lialf  to  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  long,  while  the  male  is  about  one- 
fifth  of  an  incli  long.  The  male  is  constantly  attached 
to  the  female,  the  fuuuel-shapped  lower  end  surround- 
ing a  pore  on  the  side  of  tlie  female  a  little  less  than 
one-tliird  of  the  distance  from  its  head.  On  account 
of  this  ])eculiar  iiiiion  a  gape-woi'm  is  sometimes  de- 
scribed as  a  "branch-worm"  and  on  account  of  its  color 
it  is  in  some  places  known  as  the  "red-worm."  The 
head  is  broad  and  flat  and  arianged  for  sucking.  This 
disc-lilve  liead  is  placed  against  the  lining  membrane  of 

Ihe  wind-pipe  at  any  point  between 

the  mc'Uth  and  the  bivnchial  tubes. 

Souietimes  there  are  as  many  as  30 

or  40  worms  in  a  single    fowl,    but 

usually  not  so  many.     Three  or  four 

of  th(-m  suffice  to  destroy  a  young 

chick  but  a  greater  number  are  nec- 

essiary  to  destroy  an  adult. 

When  tlie  worms  are  coughed  out 

othcM'  fowls  eat  them  greediiy  and  in 

this   way   they   become   infected   in 

turn,  because  the    miature    females 

are  full  of  eggs.     It  has  been  shown 

by  experiment  that  after  birds  are 

fed    upon    worms    containing    eggs 

they  may  develop  gapes  within  two 

to  three  weeks.     Another  and  per- 
haps the  principal  way  in  which  the 

disease  is    spread    is    through    the 

agency   of   earth- wonns.       Many  of 

the  eggs   of    the    gape-worm    when  a  pair  of  gape  worms 

throAvn   out  on  the  ground  gain  ac-   ti'S'n  ofTvi™  Vivy^ 


42 

cess  to  the  icteiioi"  of  tlie  earth-worm,  then  when  the 
earth -woiin  is  eaten  by  a  chicken  yonng  gape-worms 
develop  from  these  eggs  and  the  chicken  becomes  dis- 
eased. Some  of  the  gape-worms  are  partially  couglicd 
up  and  then  s^^ allowed  by  the  fowl;  the  eggs  in  them 
pass  thrO'Ugli  tlie  digestive  tract  and  are  voided  with 
the  faeces  so  that  in  this  ^^'ay.  also,  the  soil  of  the 
barn-yard  or  the  water  may  become  contaminated. 

The  symptoms  of  gapes  are  very  easy  to  recognize. 
Tlie  afflicted  fowl  has  difficulty  in  breathing;  it  opens 
its  mouth  frequeitly  and  gaps,  or  gasps  for  breath. 
This  manner  of  O'pening  the  month  is  the  characteris- 
tic from  which  the  disease  derives  its  name.  There 
is  some  coughing  accompanied  by  the  expulsion  of 
frothy  slime.  Somietimes  the  miature  wonns  are 
coughed  out.  The  afflicted  bird  loses  its  spirits,  it 
stands  about  with  the  feathers  ruffled  and  head  down, 
at  intervals  opening  its  mouth  as  thcugh  gasping  for 
air.  If  there  is  am*  doubt  as  to  the  nature  of  the  dis- 
ease an  examination  of  the  throat  should  be  made. 
Tliis  is  done  by  catching  the  bird  and  holding  the 
moutli  open  by  pressing  with  the  thumb  and  finger  on 
each  side  of  the  beak.  This  forces  the  mouth  open  and 
exposes  the  throat.  Then  by  introducing  a  small  ob- 
ject to  depress  the  tongue  the  larynx  may  be  exposed 
ajul  the  interior  examined.  Pressure  upon  the  larynx 
from  below  will  force  it  up  into  i)lainer  view.  Death 
results  in  some  cases  quickly,  from  suiTocation,  and  in 
other  cases  slowly,  from  exhaustion  and  secondary  dis- 
eases. When  this  disease  appears  in  a  flock,  the 
afflicted  fowls  should  at  once  be  removed  in  order  to 
])i'event  the  distribution  of  the  parasite.  The  worms 
<'an  frequently  be  removed  from  tlie  wind  i>ipe  by  in- 
troluoiiig  a  In^op  mndo  by  doubling  a  hois(^-li;iir.     ITiis 


r.', 


when  iiilioduced  and  liirucd  aiOLiiid  disl(*dg(,*s  tlie 
warms  and  draws  them  out.  Or,  a  feather  from  which 
all  of  tlie  barbs  have  been  removed  with  the  exception 
O'f  those  at  the  point,  may  be  nsed  for  the  same  pui'pose. 
Some  recommend  a  timothy  head  from  which  the  sedds 
have  been  remoA'ed  by  rolling  between  the  hands  or 
by  shaking-,  but  tliis  is  so  large  that  it  is  difficult  to 
use  it  except  in  mature  fowls.  For  chickens,  the  pro- 
jections on  the  lower  part 
of  the  timiothy  head  may 
be  removed  and  onl}'  those 
on  the  tip  alloAved  to  re- 
main. This  appliance  has 
the  advantage  over  the 
horse  hair  and  feather 
that  its  siharp  s])ines  oi' 
hooks  are  miore  likely  to 
adhere  to  the  worm  and 
permit  its  removal.  Some- 
times oil  or  turpentine  are 
applied  to  these  various  in- 
struments before  they  are 
introduced  into  the  wind- 
pipe. It  is  advised  in  some 
cases  to  cause  the  diseased 
fowls  tO'  inhale  tlie  smoke 
of  tobacco.  This  is  done 
by  ])lacing  them  in  a 
closed  box  and  blowing 
smoke  into  it  from  a  pipe. 
Tlie  worms  are  in  this  way 
stapefied  luit  unless  care  is 
used    tlic    fowls    will     also     '^'^'^  wind   i>ii»k  of   a   Pheasant, 

UbtU       im        lOVMN      >M11       <^li^S>U  (^p^Qpg^j^^j^^jj^,jjyjj^,^j  J  Y,  SHOWING 

be    stupiiied    and    pcrliaps^^Pf^^^oRMs  attachei.  to  its  in- 


44 

suffoiiatod.  Ho^\evel•,  tho  fowl  can  stand  mwe  to- 
bacco smoke  tlian  the  worm  so  that  after  its  release 
from  the  box  it  usually  coughs  up  the  wealcened  para- 
sit'^^s.  Powdered  lime  is  also  used  for  removing  the 
gape  worm  by  dusting  it  in  such  a  way  that  the  fowl 
is  caused  to  iiLhale  some  of  the  fine  particles.  Some 
times  the  fo\Als  are  placed  in  a  box  over  which  a  .sheet 
of  muslin  is  spread  and  lime  is  sifted  throug-li  this 
Hidslin  top  and  the  fowl  is  obliged  to  inhale  the  dust. 
This  procedure  is  somewhat  dangerous  unless  great 
care  is  exercised,  and  cannot  be  very  highly  recom- 
mended. 

In  the  A\ay  of  internal  treatment,  camphor,  asafoet- 
ida  and  garlic  are  all  of  value.  Camphor  should  be 
given  in  pills  of  about  one  grain  each.  Asafoetida 
should  be  given  in  one  grain  pills  and  garlic  should  be 
chopped  in  flue  pieces  and  fed  with  the  food. 

Tlie  treatment  of  the  soil  over  which  the  infected 
fowls  roamed  is  of  great  importance  and  especially  if 
they  were  kept  in  confined  .spaces.  By  treating  the 
soil  with  lime  and  spading  or  ploughing  it  up  fre- 
quently the  eggs  of  the  gape-worm  may  be  desti'oyed. 
Or  the  ground  may  be  thoroughly  soaked  ^^'ith  a  solu- 
tion of  sulpliuiic  acid  Cone  part  to  one  hundred).  The 
water  troughs  and  feeding  places  should  all  be  thor- 
oughly cleansed  and  disinfected  Avilh  coperas  solution 
(one  pound  to  two  gallons  of  water).  The  bodies  of 
the  dead  fowls  should  be  buried  deeply  at  a  distance 
from  tlie  barn-vard.  or  burned. 


45 


2.   DISEASES  OF  THE  AIR  PASSAGES  CAUSED 
KY  MITES. 


There  is  a  minute  parasite  similar  to  tlie  parasite 
of  mange  that  infests  the  air  passages  and  specially 
the  windpipe,  the  bronchial  tubes  and  the  large  air 
spaces  in  the  chest.  It  is  known  as  Cytodties  nudus. 
Sometimes  these  parasites  penetrate  beyond  the  air 
sacs  and  reach  the  air  spaces  in  the  bones.  When 
present  in  large  numbers,  they  cause  an  inflammation 
of  the  parts  they  infest,  but  when  pre.«»ent  in  small 


Thb  Air-sao  Mite  of  Fowls. 
Cytodites  nudus,  one  hundred  times  natural  size. 

numbers  the}-  seem  to  produce  no  disturbance.     The 
disease  produced  by  (hem  in  the  bronchial  tubes  is  of, 
the  nature  of  a  bionchitis  of  a  severe  type  and  some- 
times there  is  inflainmatic-n  of  the  lungs,  or  pneumonia, 


46 

as  well.  Tiiese  conditions  are  indicated  bv  difficult 
and  rapid  brcafhing  and,  Zurn  says,  by  a  peculiar  tone 
that  is  similar  to  that  produced  by  fowls  when  a  for- 
eign body  ei.ters  the  windpipe.  Otherwise  the  birds 
seem  lively  and  have  a  fairly  good  appetite.  It  is  only 
when  tliese  parasites  are  present  in  enormous  num- 
bers that  the  disease  they  produce  is  sufficiently  severe 
as  to  cause  death. 

The  treatnu'ut  of  these  cases  is  not  at  all  satisfac- 
tory, so  that  it  is  cheaper  in  the  end  to  destroy  the 
afflicted  fowls  than  to  attempt  to  cure  them.  Upon 
opening  a  bird  that  has  died  of  this  disease  the  para- 
sites can  be  seen  in  great  abundaiice  in  the  parts  men- 
tioned. 

If  treatment  is  attempted  the  inhalation  of  the  vapor 
of  tar  or  of  burning  sulphur  is  as  promising  as  any- 
thing. 


3.  PNEUMONIA  CAUSED  BY  MOULDS. 


Several  varieties  of  the  common  moulds  that  grow  so 
plentifully  in  dark,  damj)  places  have  been  known  to 
enter  the  air  passiiges  of  fowls,  penetrate  to  the  lungs 
and  grow  there,  causing  a  fatal  pneumonia.  The 
moulds  that  have  been  discovered  in  this  k>cality  are 
of  ihree  viuieties  of  Aspergillus  and  one  of  Mucor.  It 
is  probable  that  they  enter  the  lungs  in  the  form  of 
dusl.  because  their  spores  are  exceedingly  small  and 
could  readily  pass  into  the  lungs  in  this  way.  Then, 
if  they  find  the  coiiditious  there  favorable  to  their 
growth  they  multiply  and  cause  little  spots  of  disease 


47 

wherever  they  grow.  Sometimes  thev  spread  out  over 
the  lining  membrane  of  the  air  tubes  and  cause  a 
diffuse  inflammation  and  thickening  that  somewhat 
resembles  the  change  that  takes  place  in  diphtheria. 
In  the  lungs,  the  growths  are  characterized  by  the  ap- 
pearance of  little  round  nodules,  where  the  tissue  dies 
and  becomes  yellowish  and  of  the  consistency  of 
cheese.  In  old  cases,  these  spots  sometimes  become 
loaded  with  lime  salts  and  then  they  are  ha  id  and  even 
stony.  Tlie  principal  symptom  is  difficult  breathing. 
The  respiratory  movements  are  rapid  and  accompanied 
by  a  hoarse  sound.  The  appetite  is  diminished,  the 
spirits  are  depressed,  the  bird  is  disinclined  to  move, 
its  feathers  become  ruffled,  it  loses  flesh  rather  rapidly 
and  towards  the  end  develops  a  diarrhoea  that  hastens 
it  to  its  fatal  termination.  The  entire  course  of  the 
disease  is  rallier  long  and  usualh'  covers  several  weeks. 

Tr'eatment  in  these  cases  is  not  to  be  recommended 
because  the  outlook  for  recovery  is  poor.  However,  if 
anything  is  done  the  best  results  can  be  obtained  by 
causing  the  bird  to  inhale  the  vapor  of  iodine.  This 
plan  of  treatment  is  carried  out  b}'  mixing  equal  parts 
of  tincture  of  iodine  and  hot  water.  The  steam  as  it 
rises  can  ies  the  iodine  vapor  and  by  holding  the  vessel 
beneath  the  bird's  head  it  is  obliged  to  inhale  this 
medicine.  Iodide  of  potash  may  be  administered  in- 
ternally in  doses  of  one  to  two  grains  twice  daily. 

It  is  far  better,  however,  to  prevent  the  disease  than 
to  allow  it  to  develop  and  then  attempt  to  cure  it. 
When  it  is  remembered  that  moulds  occur  principally 
in  damp,  dark  places,  it  will  be  seen  that  good  drain- 
age, ventilation  ai>d  light  will  prevent  their  growth 
and  thus  ward  off  the  disease.  Disinfection  and  white- 
washing are  also  of  the  highest  value  in  this  direction. 


48 


B .  Those  not  caused  by  parasites. 
1.  OATAKKH  OF  TJIE  NASAL  PASSACiKS.    "I'll'.' 


All  sorts  of  fowls,  and  especially  the  joiiug,  take 
cold  easily  wheii  exposed  in  damp  i)laces.  An  earth 
lloor  in  the  poultry  house,  particularly  if  it  is  poorly 
drained,  is  a  fruitful  source  of  colds.  Poorly  con- 
structed buildings  with  cracks  in  the  walls  or  broken 
window  panes,  permitting  a  draught  to  blow  through 
and  strike  the  fowls  while  roosting  at  night,  is  a  com- 
mon cause  of  cold. 

Odds  are  recognized  by  the  well-known  symptoms  of 
discharge  from  the  nose,  sometimes  also  from  the 
mouth,  swelling  of  the  eyelids,  depression  of  spirits, 
shown  by  disinclination  to  move  about  actively, 
marked  loss  of  appetite,  inclination  to  stand  in  a  warm, 
bright  place,  with  the  head  drawn  down  and  feathers 
ruffled,  and,  if  the  fowl  is  a  laying  hen,  cessation  of  egg 
production.  Since  the  nasal  passage  is  stopped  up  the 
fowl  breaths  more  or  less  through  the  mouth,  and  this 
may  lead  to  di-yness  and  hardening  of  the  tip  of  the 
tongue.  This  condition  is  often  described  by  poulter- 
ers as  ''pip,"  and  especially  when  young  chickens  are 
affected. 

The  treatment  is  simple  and  consists  first  of  all  in 
bettering  the  conditions  to  which  the  fowls  are  sub- 
jected, and  thus  removing  the  cause  of  the  disease. 
Holes  in  the  ro^of  and  jsides  of  the  buildings  should  be 
patched,  broken  Avindow  ])anes  replaced,  and  if  it  is  not 
|)0ssible  to  keep  the  flcoi-  of  tlie  ])oultry  house  dry  at 
all  times  it  should  be  removed  to  another  location. 
The  fowl  should  be  placed  in  a  warm,  dry  cooj),  where 


49 

the  sun  can  shine  in  freely,  supplied  with  small  (]uaii- 
tities  of  tempting  food  and  clean  water  in  clean  v«'s- 
sels,  to  which  may  be  added  a  small  amount  of  chlorate 
of  potash  (15  gTS.  to  the  pint).  A  little  onion  or  gar- 
lic in  the  food  is  also  of  advantage.  If  the  discharge 
from  the  ncse  collects  about  the  orifices  and  obstructs 
them,  or  if  the  eyelids  are  swelled  to  sucli  an  extent 
that  they  cannot  be  opened,  the  collection  of  matter 
should  be  removed  by  means  of  a  spoaige  or  soft  cloth 
moistened  with  ^\arm  water. 


2.  LARYNGITIS    AND    BRONCHITIS.       SORE 
THROAT. 


If  the  cold  is  of  an  especially  severe  type,  on  account 
of  the  fact  that  the  exposure  to  which  the  fowl  was 
subjected  was  intense  or  of  long  standing,  or  if  the 
fowl  is  young  or  of  a  naturally  weak  constitution,  the 
membi'anes  of  the  air  passage  may  become  afflicted 
with  catarj-h  that  reaches  beyond  the  head  into  the 
throat,  and  into  llie  branching  bronchial  tubes  that 
penetrate  the  lurgs.  In  these  cases,  the  discharge 
from  the  nos<:'  is  more  profuse,  the  depression  of  the 
fowl's  spirits  is  greater,  there  is  considerable  difficulty 
in  breathing,  and  in  severe  cases  the  bird  m.ay  gasp  for 
breath  very  much  as  though  its  windpipe  were  ob- 
structed by  gape  worms. 

The  general  ti-eatment  in  these  cases  is  the  same  as 
for  pip,  but  more  attention  should  be  devoted  to  the 
fowl  because  it  is  in  a  more  serious  condition.  In 
4-1 


50 

place  oi  cl'-loratt'  of  potash  in  tlu'  di-inkinj;-  water  it  is 
better  in  these  severe  eases  to  add  small  (jnantities  of 
baking  soda  (bicjirbonate  of  »oda)  and  Ulauber's  salt 
(i  dracUni  to  each  pint).  It  is  also  of  advantage  to 
give  small  doses  of  sal  ammoniac  (1  grain)  mixed  with 
honey. 

Since  roup,  a  very  contagious  disease  of  fowls,  com- 
mences in  a  similar  way,  it  is  very  important  to  imme- 
diately remove  from  the  Hock  all  birds  showing  the 
symptoms  described  above,  because  if  it  should  j»rove 
that  they  were  afflicted  with  roup  the  extension  of  the 
disease  might  in  this  way  be  prevented. 


a.  LUNG  FEVER  OR  PNEUMONIA. 


If  the  exposure  to  which  a  fowl  is  subjected  is  of  an 
unusually  severe  character,  it  may  result  that  the  bird 
will  develop  inflammation  of  the  lungs  oa-  pneumonia. 
Symptoms  of  this  very  severe  affection  are  at  first  sim- 
ilar to  those  of  the  two  preceding  diseases,  but  they 
rapidly  become  worse,  and  within  a  short  time  the 
patient  evirces  great  difficulty  in  breathing.  It  loses 
all  ambition  and  sense  of  fear,  remains  stubbornly  in 
one  place  and  when  caught  and  examined  it  will  be 
noticed  that  the  muscles  in  the  lower  part  of  the  body, 
those  of  the  abdomen,  contract  and  expand  with  each 
respiration  and  in  this  way  assist  the  muscles  of  the 
(^hest  to  expel  and  renew  the  air  in  the  diseased  lungs. 
Pressure  on  the  sides  of  the  bird  will  cause  considera- 
ble ]>ain.     If  the  fowl  dies,  and  unfortunately  most  of 


51 

them  do  when  afllicted  with  pneumonia,  it  will  be 
found  that  the  lungs  are  very  red  and  full  of  blood, 
and  portions  of  them  when  cut  off  and  placed  in  a 
vessel  C'f  water  will  sink  instead  of  floating  as  pieces 
of  healthy  or  slightly  diseased  lungs  do.  The  air  tubes 
are  filled  with  a  yellowish  or  reddish  frothy  fluid 
which  in  some  eases  is  expelled  in  small  quantities 
during  life. 

The  treatment  of  these  cases  is  not  profitable,  be- 
cause so  few  of  them  recover.  If,  however,  one  wishes 
to  treat  an  especially  valuable  fi^wl,  and  will  consent 
to  devote  the  time  and  care  to  the  ciisc  rliat  it  requires, 
good  results  may  follow. 

Half  a  teasyKtoT.ful  of  whiskey  in  a  little  warm 
water,  together  with  from  2  to  3  grains  of  saltpetre 
and  ammonium  carbonate  may  be  administered  at  in- 
tervals of  frcm  three  to  four  hours.  It  is  also  well  to 
cause  the  fowl  to  inhale  fumes  of  burning  sulphur,  but 
ihis  vapor  should  not  bo  administered  in  a  concen- 
trated form.  The  fo'wl  must  be  kept  in  a  warm,  dry 
place. 


;i*  1 


CHAPTER  III. 


DISEASES  OF  THE   DIGESTIVE  OR 
CANS. 


A.  Those  caused  by  parasites. 

There  are  a  great  many  parasites  that  iufest  the  di- 
j^estive  organs  of  fowls.  Some  of  these  are  of  but  lit- 
tle moment,  because  they  occur  in  small  numbers  and 
do  but  little  harm;  while  others  are  of  the  greatest 
consequence  because  they  are  sometimes  exceedingly 
numerous  and  seriously  affect  the  health  of  the  af- 
flicted bird  or  cause  death.  The  number  of  parasites 
that  sometimes  infest  fowls  without  producing  appre- 
ciable effects  is  almost  incredible;  while  in  other  cases 
a  much  smaller  number  of  parasites  of  the  same 
species  may  not  only  cause  great  inconvenience  but 
may  destroy  the  life  O'f  the  infested  bird.  So  it  is  evi- 
dent that  the  effects  of  parasites  depend  not  only  upon 
the  number  and  activity  of  the  parasites  themselves, 
but  also  upon  the  strength  and  resisting  powers  of  the 
bird  affect<*d 

TTsually.  Ilic  nun.bc-r  of  fowls  in  a  flock  that  harbor 
parasites  of  the  same  kind  is  considerable.  So  that 
when  one  (vf  a  tlock  is  killed  by  parasites,  and  the  cause 

(52) 


53 

of  death  is  disclosed  by  a  dissection  of  the  bird,  it  is 
fair  to  assume  that  other  fowls  that  present  the  sjnap- 
toms  shown  by  the  dead  one,  suffer  from  the  presence 
of  the  same  kind  of  parasite. 

Of  all  varieties  of  poultry,  guinea  fowls  and  pea 
fowls  are  least  subject  to  the  ravages  of  parasites.  Of 
the  other  varieties,  those  that  live  on  dry  land  seem  to 
be  more  troubled  with  parasites  than  those  that  swim 
in  The  water,  as  ducks  and  geese. 


1.  TAPEWORMS— CESTODES. 


A  tapeworm  is  a  row  of  more  or  less  distinct  organ- 
isms joined  together  in  the  form  of  a  band  or  tape. 
At  one  end  there  is  a  s»omewhat  conical  or  globular 
segment  supplied,  at  its  free  end,  with  four  suckers, 
and  in  the  center  between  these  with  a  crown  of 
thorns.  This  segment  is  usually  termed  the  head  of 
the  tapeN\orm,  but  in  reality  it  is  not  a  head  for  the 
tapeworm  has  and  requires  no  head.  It  has  no  mouth, 
no  eyes,  no  nervous  system,  no  intestinal  canal.  It 
derives  its  nourishment  from  the  Huids  surrounding 
it  by  absorbing  them  through  its  outer  skin.  The  first 
segment;  popularly  termed  the  liead,  is  known  in  scien- 
tific language  as  the  Scolex,  and  its  function  is  to  at- 
tach itself  to  the  lining  membrane  of  the  intestines  by 
its  suckers  and  hcoks.  and  by  a  process  o-f  division  de- 
velop tapeworm  joints  from  its  other  extremity. 


54 

The  s;('<;ineiils  close  to  the  scolex  are 
siuull     aud     immature,    further   away 
they  are  larger  and  more  developed, 
at  the  end  of  the  chain  they  are  ma- 
ture or  ripe.     The  ripe  segments  are  >• 
detached  from  time  to  time  and  pass  ► 
into   the   contents    of    the    intestinal  ^ 
car.al    and    escape    from     the     body  g 
with  the  faeces.     These   mature    seg-  ^ 
raents  are  provided    with    contractile  ^ 
fibres  in  their  walls  and  are  able  to  % 
move    about.       They      contain    eggs.  "C 
Their-  life  outside    of   the    animal    in  & 
which  they  are  developed  is  short,  and  s 
when  they  die    and    break    open    the  | 
eggs  escape.     If  these  fall  in  a  damp  2 
place,  thev   retain  their  vitalitv  and  c 
power  to  mature  for  a  long  time,  in  | 
some  cases  many  months.  | 

A  remarkable  and  interesting  fact^l 
in  connection  with  the  life  historv  of  I 
the  tapeworm  is  that  the  eggs  will  not 
develop  into  mature  worms  in  the 
body  O'f  an  animal  belonging  to  the 
species  of  the  one  in  which  they  were 
produced.  It  is  necessary  that  they  should  first  enter 
the  body  of  an  animal  of  a  different  species  and  there 
develop  into  embryos,  whicli  ])ass  through  the  walls 
of  the  intestinal  canal  and  j)enetrate  to  distant  parts 
of  the  body.  There  the  embryos  remain  in  a  some- 
what more  advanced  state  of  development  until  their 
host  dies  and  is  consumed  by  an  animal  belonging  to 
th(^  species  of  the  original  host. 

This  can  be  illustrated  bv  brief! v  describing  the  life 


55 


history  of  one  of  the  comimou  tapeworms  of  man 
{Tcenia  soleum)  usually  called  the  "pork  tapeworm." 
The  eggs  from  the  mature  tapeworm  oi  this  species 
pass  from  the  body  of  a  person  harboring  it  and  some 
of  them  are  consumed  by  swine.  They  hatch  out  in 
the  stomach  or  intestines  of  the  swine,  penetrate  tlie 
intestinal  walls  and  reach  the  muscular  portion  of  the 
animal.  There,  they  constitue  the  so-called  "bladder 
worm"  or  "measles"  of  pork. 
The  hog  is  slaughtered  and  if 
its  flesh  is  eaten  raw  or  imper- 
fectly cooked,  the  consumer  £• 
swallows  the  living  parasites  g 
which  develop  in  the  intestinal  5 
canal  into  mature  tapeworms,  o 
In  the  same  way  it  is  neces-  > 
sary  for  the  tapeworms  of  fowls  o 
to  pass  through  the  body  of  an  ^ 
intermediate  host  before  they  g 
can  re-appear  as  tapeworms  in  | 
fowls.  It  has  been  shown  by  5* 
definite  experiments  and  numer-  5 
ous  observations  that  the  inter-  o 
mediate  hosts  in  some  cases  are  *^ 
small  animals  such  as  snails,  ^ 
molluscs,  worms  and  insects  § 
and  it  seems  probable  that  these  ^ 
animals    are    the    intermediate  % 

hosts  for  bird  tapeworms  in  all  ^ 

o 
cases.  » 

s 

A  single  ta]>eworm  in  the  in-  " 
testinal  canal  of  a  fowl  may  do 
no  harm.     But   when    they   are 
numerous  symptoms  of  disease  appear.     One  of  tlu' 


5fi 

first  effects  is  the  initatioii  of  tlie  momhrane  lining; 
the  digestive  tract.  Tliis  produces  diarrhoea  and  may 
lead  to  loss  of  liesh.  Znrn  lias  observed  that  towls  af- 
tlicted  with  tapeworms  have  an  unusual  thirst  and  an 
especial  lilcing-  for  co-Id  water  of  which  they  drink  large 
quantities  and  he  claims  that  this  symptom  should 
always  be  regarded  with  suspicion.  In  time,  as  the  re- 
sult of  the  continued  irritation  of  the  intestinal  canal 
and  the  fact  that  much  of  the  nourishment  that  it  con- 
tains is  diverted  to  the  worm  and  lost  to  the  fowl,  the 
bird  becomes  weak  and  thin.  Its  droppings  are  fre- 
quently mixed  with  mucus  and  sometimes  with  blood. 
A  close  examination  of  them  sometimes  reveal  seg- 
ments of  the  tapeworm  and  a  careful  microscopic  exam- 
ination may  reveal  eggs  in  large  or  small  quantities. 
Sometimes  the  tapeworms  indirectly  produce  an  irrita- 
tion of  the  nervous  system  that  is  characterized  by  fits. 

If  the  afflicted  fowl  dies,  it  will  be  fonnd  that  its 
organs  are  pale  and  contain  but  little  blood.  If  the 
intestinal  car-al  is  opened  the  tapeworms  can  be  dis- 
covered hanging  by  their  thin  ends  to  the  mucous  mem- 
brane, with  the  rest  of  the  body  floating  in  the  canal. 
It  is  easiest  to  discover  the  wonns  when  the  intestine 
is  opened  with  a  pair  of  scissors  while  it  is  held  below 
the  surface  of  warm  water. 

Illinger  has  described  an  outbreak  of  tapeworm  dis- 
ease among  geese  that  was  so  extensive  that  it  be- 
came almotst  impossible  to  raise  these  fowls  in  a  cer- 
tain district.  When  the  goslings  reached  the  age  of 
ten  or  twelve  weeks  they  would  commence  to  become 
thin,  notwithstiinding  the  fact  that  their  appetites  con- 
tinued good,  and  finally  they  would  develop  epilepti- 
form fits  and  severe  diarrhoea  and  shortly  thereafter 
would  die.  Death  usually  occurred  within  two  weeks 
after  the  appearance    of    the   first    symptoms.     T'pon 


r)7 

dissecting  tliese  birds,  tapewoiuis     (Taenia    lancolata) 
were  found  in  the  intestines  in  great  numbers. 

As  to  the  treatment  of  fowls  afflicted  witli  tape- 
worms, a  large  number  of  remedies  are  recommended 
and  used  with  more  or  less  profit. 

One  of  the  standard  remedies  among  European  poul- 
terers is  powdered  bark  of  the  i>omegranate  root,  of 
which  one  teaspoonful  is  apportioned  for  the  feed  of 
eacli  fifty  chickens.  Powdered  areca  nut  may  also  be 
used  in  doses  of  from  thirty  to  forty  grains,  mixed 
with  butter  to  form  a  pill.  This  quantity  should  be 
administered  to  each  bird,  but  it  is  not  a  good  remedy 
for  turkeys.  Dr.  vStiles  of  the  Bureau  of  Animal  In- 
dustry has  recently  experimented  with  the  oil  of  tur- 
pentine as  a  remedy  for  fowls  and  finds  that  the  larg- 
est safe  dose  is  about  one  tablespoomful.  This  remedy 
is  very  useful  for  the  purpose  of  removing  parasites  of 
all  kinds  from  the  intestinal  canal  of  most  of  the  do- 
mestic animals  and  it  is  altogether  probable  that  it 
will  prove  of  considerable  value  in  treating  fowls  with 
tapewoi-m.  It  should  be  followed  by  an  equal  quantity 
of  castor  oil.  As  with  most  other  diseases  of  poultry 
it  is  very  much  better  to  prevent  than  to  attempt  to 
cure,  and  knowing  what  we  do  with  reference  to  the 
development  and  life  history  of  tapeworms,  it  is  quite 
possible,  in  n  ost  cases,  to  avoid  their  effects. 

To  prevent  tapeworm  disease  among  fowis  it  is  im 
portant,  first  of  all,  to  keep  no  birds  in  the  fiock  tliat 
are  supposed  to  be  infested  by  tapeworms.  It  is  also 
important  that  fowls  should  not  be  allowed  to  roam 
where  other  fowls  are  known  to  have  contra ctcd  or 
carried  these  parasites.  Especial  attention  sliould  be 
devot-3d  to  the  removal  of  droppings  of  fowls  that  may 
])Ossibly  be  infesttd  and  these  dro])]>ings  should  eitliei- 
be  destroyed  or  treated  in  such  a  manner  that  the  tape- 


58 

worm  eggs  in  Iheui  in;iy  bo  killed.  This  can  be  done 
by  disinfecting  tliem  with  a  strong  solution  of  carbolic 
ucid,  quicklime,  or  as  Dr.  Stiles  suggests,  by  keeping 
them  in  a  dry  place  for  several  months  or  through  the 
winter,  for  it  is  probable  that  they  can  not  withstand 
this  treatment. 

If  fowls  are  raised  on  fresh  uncontaminated  land 
there  is  but  little  danger  that  they  will  become  in- 
fected. 

Dr.  V.  A.  Moore,  of  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry, 
lias  recently  called  attention  to  a  peculiar  disease  of 
chickens  that  is  characterized  by  the  development  of 
small  nodules  in  the  walls  of  the  intestine.  These 
nodules  ^\ere  about  a  sixth  of  an  inch  in  diameter  and 
quite  hard.  AVhen  opened  it  is  found  that  the  larger 
ones  contain  greenish  pus.  Tliese  nodules  were  pro- 
duced by  a  small  t?peworm  recognized  as  Davaince  tet- 
ragona.  Tliis  dis  &se  has  been  recognized  in  fowls 
from  the  District  >f  Columbia,  North  Carolina  and 
Virginia  but  has  nut  as  yet  been  discovered  among  the 
poultry  of  Pennsylvania.     It  is  quite  destructive. 


2.  SUCKING  WORAIS— TREMATODES. 


These  woims  are  of  an  oval  shape,  have  rather 
phnnp  bodies  and  are  provided  on  their  ventral  sur 
faces  with  suckers  by  means  of  which  they  attach 
themselves  to  the  part  they  are  in  contact  with. 

Tliere  arc  several  species  that  infest  the  domestic 
fowl  but  it  is  not  known  that  any  of  them  are  very  prev- 
alent c>r  very  destructive  in  this  country.  Their  mode 
of  development  is  similar  to  that  of  tapeworms;  thai 
is,  it  is  necessary  for  the  embryo  to  pass  through  an 


59 

iuteriuediate  host,  as  a  worm,  before  it  can  develop 
into  a  mature  parasite  in  the  body  of  the  fowl.  The 
symptoms  occasiored  by  these  jjarasites  are  similar  to 
those  produced  by  tapeworms  but  are  of  a  less  violent 
and  serious  character. 

The   remedies   and  means  of  prevention   are  prac- 
tically the  same. 


3.  ROUND   WORMS— NEMATODES. 


The  round  worms  are  elongated  and  usually  quite 
slender  parasites,  mostly  of  a  whitisli  color  and  are 
provided  with  a  mouth  and  digestive  canal.  When 
present  at  all  they  are  apt  to  exist  in  considerable  num- 
bers, and  sometimes  occur  in  vast  quantities.  There 
is  one  form  of  round  worms  known  as  Trichosoma  con- 
tortum,  a  little  white  worm  from  one-half  to  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  long,  that  has  been  found  beneath 
the  mucous  membrane  lining  the  oesophagus  and  crop. 
Sometimes  as  many  as  thirty  of  these  worms  have  been 
found  in  the  oesophagus  in  a  single  bird.  They  inter- 
fere seriously  with  the  passage  of  food  through  this 
tube,  affect  the  digestion  and  apjjetite  and  cause  wast- 
ing and  \\eakness.  At  length,  the  oesophagus  be- 
comes engorged  with  food,  it  cannot  contract  or  pass 
its  contents  along  and  the  animal  dies  within  a  few 
days. 

Some  species  of  round  worms  collect  in  the  intestine 
in  great  nun'bers,  in  fact,  as  many  as  five  hundred  have 
been  removed  from  the  body  of  a  single  fowl.  By  their 
presence  they  occasion  a  good  deal  of  irritation  of  the 
digestive  tract, intref ere  with  nutrition,  cause  diarrhoea 
and  weaki.ess  and  death.  Sometimes  the  disease 
caused  by  these  parasites  follows  a  long  course  anjl 


60 

does  not  terminate  fatallv  for  a  number  of  weeks  or 
l)erbaps  not  at  all.  In  other  cases,  death  results  very 
quickly.  The  ternciDation  depends  upon  the  strength 
of  the  fowl  and  the  number  and  variety  of  the  worms. 
If  the  worms  are  present  in  sufficient  numbers  to  eo- 
tire  occlude  the  intestine,  death  is  i)roduced  very 
quickly. 

Another  species  of  round  worm,  Heterakis  maculose, 
has  occasiored  great  loss  amo-ng  birds.  This  worm  is 
white,  cylindrical  and 
pointed  at  each  end;  the 
male  is  about  an  inch 
long  and  the  female  one 
and  a  quarter  inches. 
Sometimes  several  hun- 
dren  of  them  are  found 
in  the  intestine  of  a  sin- 
gle pigeon. 

Birds       with       round 
worms  may  be    treated 

by        administering       the    common  pi u; worm,    a,  male  ;  B,  female. 

remedy  reoommeided  by  Baronio,  consisting  of  equal 
parts  of  the  root  of  male  shield  fern,  tansy  and  savory, 
of  whicli  mixture  one  drachm  is  made  into  a  tea  with 
six  ounces  of  water  and  this  fluid  is  mixed  with  suffi- 
cient flour  to  form  pills  and  these  are  administered  to 
the  infested  fowls.  Or,  the  powdered  areca  nut  may 
be  given  in  doses  of  from  thirty  to  forty  grains  for 
chickens  and  fifteen  grains  for  pigeons. 

The  prevention  of  disease  resulting  from  the  pres- 
ence of  the  round  worms  may  be  accomi)lished  by  en- 
forcing the  general  regulations  recommended  above, 
in  connection  with  the  discussion  of  tapeworms.  The 
frequent  removal  and  the  care  of  the  maiiuie  is  very 
ijnportanl. 


A  Round  Worm  of  the  Pigeon. 
Heterakis  »iacw?o»a— Natural  size.  The 


61 


A.  Those  not  caused  hy  parasites. 

1.  CATAHKH   OF   THE   CROP. 


When,  for  any  reason, 
(lie  contents  o-f  the  crop 
stagnate  for  an  unusual 
length  of  time  it  mav 
undergo  fermentation, 
just  as  food  accumu- 
lated in  any  other 
warm,  moist  place 
would  undergo  fermen- 
tation, and  this  results 
in  the  production  of  a 
rather  irritative  com- 
pound which,  acting  for 
a  more  or  less  pro- 
longed period  upon  the 
lining  membrane  of  the 
crop,  produces  a  superfi- 
cial inflammation 
known  as  catarrh.  The 
same  result  may  occur 
when  parasites  are  em- 
bedded in  the  lining 
membrane  of  the  crop 
or  when  fowls  eat  irri- 
tant materials. 

This  condition  may  be 
recognized  by  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  swelling 
in    front    of   the   breast 


DiGKSTivE  Apparatus  of  biros. 


A.  oesophagus:    B.   crop;    C.   infundio 
ulum;  D.  gizzard;  E,  liver;  F,  gall  blad- 
der; G,  pancreaB:  H.  duodenum;  I,  small 
Intestine;  K,  caeca;  L,  large  intestine;  M, 
which  is  soft  to  pressure    ureters;  N,  oviduct;  0,  cloaca. 


62 

and  sometimes  so  very  soft  and  dinm-Iike  that  it  is 
«'vidi'nt  that  it  contains  *;as.  TJie  appetite  is  entirely 
lost  or  becomes  abnormal,  the  fowl  is  mopish,  its  feath- 
ers are  rnffied  and  it  may  attemi)t  to  vomit.  If  the 
crop  is  preitsed  upon  forcibly,  sour  and  o-lfensive  smel- 
ling material  may  be  expelled  through  the  mouth. 

The  cure  of  this  condition  is  not  difficult  unless  it 
has  continued  for  such  a  long  time  that  the  fowl  is 
considerably  T\eakened.  The  irritant,  fermenting  or 
putrefying  contents  should  be  expelled  by  pressure 
from  witl)'Out  while  the  fowl  is  held  with  the  head 
down.  Then  a  small  quantity  of  salicylic  acid  (two 
grains)  dissolved  in  water  should  be  administered  for 
the  purpose  of  checking  further  fermentatio-n  or 
hydrochloric  acid  may  be  given  in  one  drop  doses  di- 
luted with  two  teaspoonfuls  of  water.  The  fowl 
should  be  kept  from  food  for  a  day  or  tvNo  and  usually 
this  is  all  that  the  case  requires. 


2.  OBSTRUCTION  OF  THE  CROP. 


If  a  fowl  has  gorged  itself  with  food  that  is  ditlicult 
of  digestion,  such  as  old  and  dry  grain  or  hard  and  in- 
digestible substances,  as  straw,  wood,  stones,  etc.,  and 
this  material  remains  in  the  crop  for  several  hours  the 
walls  of  the  crop  will  become  exhausted  by  the  un- 
usaal  distention  and  then  the  fowl  is  unable  to  remove 
the  obstn.-ction  in  any  way.  The  recognition  of  the 
condition  is  not  difficult  because  there  exists  a  large, 
firm,  hard  swelling  in  the  region  of  the  crop.     T'j)on 


63 

feeling  of  it,  the  natiii-e  of  its  eonteuts  can  frequently 
be  determined. 

If  it  is  not  possible  to  remove  the  contents  by  pres- 
sure, as  in  the  case  above,  and  if  it  does  not  pass  away 
naturally  within  a  day,  it  becomes  necessary  to  per- 
form an  operation  for  the  i)urp<>se  of  emptying  tiie 
organ.  To  do  this,  the  feathers  should  be  removed  by 
clipping  them  off  with  a  pair  of  shears  from  a  vertical 
line  about  half  an  inch  wide  alo-ng  the  most  prominent 
portion  of  the  crop.  Then  with  a  sharp,  clean  knife 
an  incision  about  one  inch  long  should  be  made 
through  the  skin  and  down  to  the  obstructing  mate- 
rial. This  can  then  be  removed  with  the  handle  of  a 
spoon,  or_with  the  finger,  o^r  with  the  loop  of  a  hairpin. 
When  the  crop  is  thoroughly  enipliid.  its  walls  should 
be  united  by  sewing  them  with,  white  silk.  Care 
should  be  taken  to  avoid  including  anything  besides 
the  walls  of  the  crop  in  the  first  seam.  After  this  is 
perfectly  ui'ited  the  other  tissues  and  the  skin  may  be 
drawn  together  with  a  second  set  of  stitches.  The 
sewing  should  be  done  neatly  and  the  tissues  should 
lict  be  dra^^  u  together  so  that  they  pucker.  The  ends 
of  the  first  set  of  stitches  should  be  left  long  and  al- 
lovN'ed  to  h£ing  outside  of  the  wound.  In  five  or  six 
days  union  will  have  taken  place  and  the  stiches  can 
then  be  removed  by  cutting  through  them  with  a  pair 
of  sharp  scissors  and  drawing  them  out.  After  this 
operation,  the  bird  should  be  allo-wed  no  food  for 
twenty -four  hours,  and  only  a  small  amount  of  water, 
to  which  a  few  grains  of  salicvlic  acid  have  been  added. 


64 


:}.  SIMPLE   INDIGESTION   AND    LOSS   OF  APPE 

TITE. 


These  conditions  result  from  such  a  variety  of 
causes  that  it  is  rather  difficult  to  classify  them  as  a 
disease.  Usually  they  are  merely  symptoms  of  dis- 
ease in  different  organs  or  o<f  general  disease.  If,  after 
a  careful  examination,  no  cause  for  loss  of  appetite 
can  be  discoA'ered  it  may  be  that  it  merely  results  from 
indigestion  and  will  respond  to  appropriate  treatment 
for  this  condition.  But  in  all  cases,  a  very  careful  ex- 
amination should  he  made  for  other  diseases.  Fre- 
quently, indigestion  is  produced  by  too  rich  food  given 
in  large  quantities  and  especially  when  the  bird  is  un- 
acoustomed  to  it.  Sudden  changes  of  diet  are  also 
detrimental  and  when  birds  are  exposed  to  weakening 
influences,  such  as  sudden  changes  of  weather,  unsani- 
tary conditions,  etc.,  they  may  find  it  impossible  to  di- 
gest the  food  that  they  are  accustomed  to  and  have 
been  thriving  upon.  Or,  indigestion  may  result  from 
feeding  things  that  cannot  be  digested  or  that  are  di- 
gested vei'y  slowly  and  ferment  while  passing  through 
the  digestive  canal.  Putrid  food  of  all  kinds  will  come 
within  this  class.  Sometimes,  fo-reign  bodies  lodge  in 
the  crop  or  gizzard  or  other  point  in  the  digestive  tract 
and  if  they  are  sharp  and  cannot  be  digested  or  dis 
solved,  they  may  remain  stationary  for  a  long  time, 
causing  serious  inflammation  and  possibly  death.  If 
it  is  discoveied  that  substances,  such  as  large  pieces 
of  glass,  or  ]>ie('ps  of  m<'tal,  etc..  are  ])resent.  tlicy 
should  be  removed  by  an  operation  similar  to  the  oper 


65 

ation  performed  in  impaction  of  the  crop,  provided 
they  are  in  the  upper  or  neck  portion  of  the  gullet. 

When  the  cause  of  loss  of  appetite  is  known  the  se- 
lection of  an  appropriate  foi-m  of  treatment  is  a  mat- 
ter of  but  little  dimculty.  If  it  is  decided  that  the 
fowl  cannot  be  cured  it  will  be  best  in  all  cases  to  kill 
it  at  once  so  that  it  may  be  saved  for  food.  If  the  dis- 
ease is  allowed  to  jj;o  on  until  serious  changes  take 
place  it  will  not  be  safe  to  use  the  tlesh. 

It  is  well  to  begin  treatment  by  giving  two  or  three 
teaspoonfuls  of  castor  oil  to  empty  the  bowels  and  re- 
move irritant  substances. 

One  of  the  best  general  remedies  is  hydrochloric 
acid.  This  substance  is  very  strong  and  must  be  ad- 
ministered in  very  small  quantities  freely  diluted  with 
water.  The  dose  for  an  adult  fowl  is  from  one  to  two 
drops  given  with  at  least  a  dessert  spoonful  of  water. 
Pills  of  either  black  or  red  pepper,  are  in  high  repute 
among  p'oultry  keepers  and  are  undoubtedly  quite  effi- 
cient in  stimulating  the  secretion  of  digestive  juices 
and  in  that  way  leading  to  restoration  of  appetite. 
Chopped  onion  or  garlic  in  the  food  are  also  good. 


1.  IRRITATION  OF  THE  DKIESTIVE  CANAL  AND 
DIARRHOEA. 


This  subject  has  been  considered  in  part  in  connec- 
tion with  the  condition  produced  by  intestinal  worms 
and  with  the  subject  above.     Similar  irritations  of  the 
membrane  lining  the  digestive  canal  may  be  produced 
5--I 


66 

by  otlier  foreig^i  bodies  in  the  intestine  or,  wluil 
amounts  to  the  same  thing,  by  indigestible  or  imper- 
fectly digested  food  that  remains  there  for  an  unusual 
length  of  time.  The  first  evidence  of  irritation  of  the 
digestive  tract  is  loss  of  appetite  and  general  depres- 
sion. This  is  quickly  followed  by  diarrhoea,  and  the 
voidings  are  sometimes  mixed  with  mucus  or,  in  bad 
oases,  with  blood.  When  this  symptom  appears  the 
fowl  loses  flesh  very  ra[>idly,  becomes  weak  and  soo-n 
dies. 

The  first  measure  in  the  way  of  treatment  is  to  place 
the  bird  in  a  warm  dry  place  where  it  will  not  be  an- 
noyed by  its  companions  and  supply  it  with  small 
quantities  of  food  that  is  easy  of  digestion.  This 
should  be  given  in  a  fresh  state  in  clean  troughs  or 
vessels  and  all  of  the  surroundings  should  be  kept 
clean.  If  the  diarrhoea  is  severe,  cooked  food  should 
be  preferred,  such  as  boiled  meal,  rice  or  barley;  oat 
meal  is  also  good.  Small  pieces  of,  chocolate  consti- 
tute a  useful  remedy  for  this  condition  in  cage  birds. 
Linseed  meal  is  also  good  and  the  gelatinous  substance 
that  separates  from  linseed  when  it  is  boiled  is  of 
great  value  in  diarrhoea.  It  is  g(»od  of  itself,  and  it 
also  furnishes  an  excellent  medium  for  the  administra- 
tion of  other  more  active  remedies.  Opium  can  usually 
be  relied  upon  to  check  this  disease  unless  it  has  gone 
so  far  that  no  treatment  will  avail.  Opium  is  best 
used  in  the  form  of  the  tincture,  known  as  laudanum. 
Tlie  dose  is  from  five  to  ten  drops.  Tincture  of  catechu 
is  very  efficient  and  may  be  given  in  doses  of  five  to 
twenty  drops  wMth  n  little  water  for  each  fowl,  or  foi- 
fiftv  fowls,  half  ounce  in  meal. 


67 


5.  CONSTIPATION, 


Constipation  is  the  opposite  of  diarrhoea,  but  it  is 
frecjuently  produced  by  tlie  same  conditions.  If  para- 
sites obstruct  the  intestinal  canal,  of  course  nothing 
can  pass  and  the  result  is  constipation  of  a  most  ob- 
stinate form.  Sometimes  the  intestine  becomes  un- 
usuall}'  dry,  particularly  after  a  bird  has  been  afflicted 
with  diarrhoea  for  some  time;  then  its  coaitents  accum- 
ulate in  hard  masses  and  form  obstructions.  These 
obstructions  of  dry  intestinal  contents  may  appear  at 
any  point  of  the  canal  but  frequently  develop  close  to 
the  lower  opening,  in  the  diverticulum  known  as  the 
cloaca. 

Constipated  birds  give  evidence  of  the  condition  by 
uneasiness,  loss  of  appetite,  frequent,  unsuccessful  at- 
tempts and  general  depression.  If  the  obstruction  is 
in  the  lower  part  of  the  bowel  the  treatment  consists 
in  injecting  small  quantities  of  warm  water  b}'  means 
of  a  rubber  syringe,  or  water  in  which  linseed  has  been 
boiled  may  be  used  for  this  purpose  and  should  be  pre- 
ferred in  cases  where  there  is  considerable  irritation. 
Sweet  oil  or  glycerine  may  also  be  injected,  all  of 
which  tend  to  soften  and  facilitate  the  removal  of  the 
impacted  masses.  When  this  treatment  is  applied  to 
hens,  great  care  should  be  exercised  to  prevent  the  in- 
troduction of  tlie  nO'Zzle  of  the  syringe  into  the  open- 
ing of  the  oviduct.  Sometimes  it  is  necessary  to  em- 
ploy a  small  blunt  instrument,  such  as  the  handle  of  a 
small  spoon  to  facilitate  the  removal  of  the  faecal 
masses  in  this  location. 


68 

Intern:! lly,  castor  oil  is  a  valuable  remedy.  It 
should  be  j;iven  in  doses  of  two  teaspooufuls;  or,  the 
eommon  compound  cathartic  pill  may  be  administered, 
('alomel  is  also  a  good  laxative  ov  purgative  for  fowls 
and  is  giveji  in  doses  of  from  one-half  to  two  grains 
mixed  with  sufficient  butter  to  foam  a  pill.  Small 
cage  birds  should  receive  a  fragment  of  a  cathartic  pill, 
the  size  depebding  upon  the  size  of  the  patient. 
Epsom  salts  are  good  and  safe;  the  dose  for  an  adult 
fowl  is  one  tablespoonfnl  of  a  satui'att'd  solution. 


♦>.  POISOMXC. 


Fowls  may  be  poisoned  by  the  same  chemicals  aud 
agencies  tliat  poison  larger  animals. 

Poisoning  with  Arsenic— One  of  the  most  frequent 
poisons  is  iuseiiic  in  one  of  its  numerous  forms. 
Arsenic  is  u.sed  so  freely  on  farms  for  the  ])urpose  of 
po'isoning  potato  bugs,  wonns  that  infest  tre^s,  rats, 
etc.,  that  it  frequently  liappens  that  it  comes  within 
the  reach  of  poultry  and  poisons  them.  The  symp- 
toms of  arsenic  poisoning  are  loss  of  appetite,  great 
thirst,  discharge  of  saliva  from  the  mouth,  attempts 
to  vomit,  anxiety,  restlessness  and  diarrhoea.  Before 
death  the  bird  may  evidence  considerable  pain,  breathe 
with  difficulty,  tremble  and  it  may  have  convulsions. 

After  death,  the  examination  of  the  digestive  tract 
will  show  that  it  is  considerably  inflamed.  It  is  red. 
full  of  blood  and  its  contents  are  mixed  with  blood. 

The  treatment  to  be  employed  when  it  is  known  that 


69 

fowls  liavc  been  poisoned  with  arsenic  is  to  administer 
the  white  of  an  agg  every  hour  ov  the  thicic  liquid  in 
which  flaxseed  has  been  boiled.  If  possible,  the  chemi- 
cal antidote,  iron  sesquioxide  or  dialized  iron,  should 
be  given.  If  there  is  much  diarrhoea  and  pain  tincture 
of  opium  in  doses  of  five  to  ten  drops  is  useful.  Pow- 
dered chalk  given  in  ^^■ater  is  also  good. 

Poisoning  with  Salt. — Small  quantities  of  salt  are 
very  beneficial  for  fowls  but  large  quantities  may  cause 
serious  illness  or  even  death.  From  half  an  ounce 
to  an  ounce  of  salt  is  fatal  for  a  chicken.  This  quan- 
tity will  cause  loss  of  appetite,  great  thirst,  redness  of 
the  membranes  lining  the  mouth  and  throat,  pain  and 
diarrhoea,  and  if  the  poisoned  fowl  is  opened  after 
death  it  will  be  found  that  the  intestines  are  in  a  con- 
dition resembling  that  found  when  death  results  from 
arsenical  poisoning,  but  usually  the  inflammation  is 
not  of  quite  such  a  severe  type.  Such  substances  as 
mackerel  brine,  beef  pickle,  etc.,  are  even  more  pois- 
onous than  pure  salt  and  smaller  quantities  will  pro- 
duce the  same  symptoms. 

Tlie  treatment  consists  in  the  administration  of  the 
remedies  recon.mended  for  arsenic  poisoning,  with  the 
exception  of  the  iron  compounds. 

Poisoning  ivitli  Mould. — T\'hen  fowls  are  permitted 
to  eat  food  that  has  undergone  decomposition  or  has 
become  very  mouldy  they  are  sometimes  poisoned. 
This  subject  has  been  referred  to  under  the  head  of 
irritation  of  the  digestive  canal  and  diarrhot^a. 


70 

7.  DROPSY. 

Tli€^  membiaiie  liniu*;-  Ihe  abdomiual  cavity  »ome- 
times  becomes  intiamed  as  the  result  of  external  inju- 
ries or  severe  irritation  of  the  intestinal  canal  or  the 
penetration  of  a  foreign  body  thro-ugh  the  intestinal 
wall.  Sometimes  this  condition  is  caused  by  parasites. 
Usually'  the  disease  is  of  a  severe  tj^pe  and  cannot  be 
treated  successfully.  It  may  produce  death  within  a 
very  short  time.  But  sometimes  it  follows  a  chronic 
course,  causing  prolonged  illness,  and  in  these  cases. 
fluid  usually  collects  in  the  abdominal  cavity  consti- 
tuting the  c(indition  known  as  ascites  or  abdominal 
dropsy.  The  evidence  of  this  condition  consists  in  an 
enlargement  of  the  abdom.en ;  it  is  distended  in  all  di- 
rections but  particularly  downward  and  sometimes  to 
such  an  extent  that  the  lower  part  of  the  belly  reaches 
the  ground.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  in  these 
cases  the  fowl  is  spiritless  and  disinclined  to  moveabout 
actively;  Avhen  it  is  caught  and  the  swelling  is  ex- 
amined by  the  touch  it  will  be  noticed  that  it  is  soft 
and  that  by  pressing  upon  one  side  weaves  can  be  felt 
on  the  other  side  indicating  that  it  contains  fluid. 


8.  JAUNDICE  OK  THE  YELLOWS. 


When  the  action  of  the  liver  is  interfered  with  the 
bile  may  not  be  poured  out  into  the  intestine  in  a  nor- 
mal manner  and  its  retention  leads  to  a  yellow  disco! 


71 

oration  of  all  parts  of  the  body,  shown  especially  about 
the  comb,  orifices  of  the  nose  and  membrane  liniuj^ 
the  mouth  and  throiit.  This  condition  is  frequently 
produced  by  parasites  but  sometimes  it  results  from 
too  hijc^h  feeding  and  too  little  exercise.  In  these  lat- 
ter cases,  a  dose  of  ealo-mel  should  be  administered;  the 
food,  which  must  be  cut  down  in  quantity,  should  be 
of  a  simple  character  and  contain  green  substances, 
and  the  fowl  should  be  allowed  plenty  of  exercise. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


DISEASES   OF    THE   EGG-PRODUCING 
ORGANS. 


1.  PARASITES  AND  FOREIGN  BODIES  IN  EGGS. 


The  egg  is  produced  as  follows:  the  yolk  develops  in 
the  ovary,  which  is  a  large  conglomerate  mass,  the  ap- 
pearance of  which  may  be  compared  roughly  to  that  of 
a  bunch  of  grapes  of  different  sizes.  When  the  yolk 
reaches  its  full  development  in  this  organ,  the  mem- 
brane containing  it  breaks  and  it  is  discharged  into 
the  o-viduct.  In  passing  through  the  oviduct  it  be- 
comes surrounded  by  albumin,  known  as  the  white  of 
the  egg.  The  development  of  the  albumin  requires 
about  six  hours.  In  the  lower  part  of  the  oviduct,  it 
remains  for  about  twenty-four  hours  and  during  this 
time  it  becomes  covered  with  a  membrane  and  a  shell. 

If  foreign  bodies,  or  parasites  of  any  kind,  are  pres- 
ent in  the  oviduct,  they  may  readily  become  incorpo- 
rated with  the  albumin  and  in  that  way  become  en- 
closed in  the  egg.  There  are  a  number  of  parasites  of 
poultry  that  have  been  found  enca]>sulated  in  this  way. 
The  imprisonment  of  parasites  in  the  egg  is  not  a  very 
serious  matter,  however,  because  it   occurs  quite  in 

(72) 


73 

frequently;  but  it  is  serious  when  the  germs  of  decay 
are  present  in  the  oviduct  and  become  imprisoned  in 
the  egg,  because  this  leads  to  the  early  decomposition 
of  the  egg.  The  organism  that  may  enter  the  egg  in 
tins  manner  and  produce  decomposition  are  of  several 
kinds,  but  as  their  effects  are  about  the  same  it  is  not 
important  to  discuss  them  separately.  They  cause 
the  yolk  to  become  light  in  color  and  cloudy  and  cause 
the  liberation  of  gas  that  is  usually  taken  up  by  the 
fluid  parts  of  the  egg,  but  escapes  when  the  shell  is 
broken,  and  is  of  a  most  unpleasant  odor. 

These  germs  do  not  get  into  the  oviduct  by  passing 
into  the  fowl  with  its  food,  water  or  the  air  that  it 
breathes,  but  enter  through  the  cloaca,  and  are  often 
introduced  by  the  organs  of  the  male  during  the  act 
of  copulation.  This  condition  may  be  avoided  by  the 
enforcement  of  cleanliness  in  the  poultry  houses  and 
poultry  yards.  Hens  and  cocks  should  never  be  al- 
lowed to  go  about  with  masses  of  fllth  adhering  to  the 
feathers  about  the  vent  nor  should  they  be  compelled 
to  roost  in  filthy  places  or  walk  about  and  scratch  in 
masses  of  decaying  and  putrefying  material. 

Cleanliness  and  disinfection  enable  the  poulterer  to 
avoid  this  infection  of  the  egg. 


2.  MALFORMED  PJGGS. 


One  of  the  most  frequent  malformations  of  eggs  is 
the  so-called  "double  egg,"  the  egg  containing  two 
yolks.  Tliese  eggs  are  usually  of  very  largo  size  and 
develop  when  two  yolks  rtnuh  maturity  in  the  ovary  at 


74 

the  same  time  and  are  dischar  <;ed  into  the  oviduct  to 
gether.  Cases  have  been  known  in  ^^hi(•h  three  yolks 
have  been  found  in  the  same  egg. 

Sometimes  eggs  of  unusual  shape  are  noticed;  they 
are  pear-shiij.ed,  spherical,  tlattened,  pointed  at  each 
end  or  bent.  Sometimes  they  contain  projections 
at  some  point  on  the  surface.  All  of  these  conditions 
result  from  accidental  influeuces,  and  as  a  rule  they  do 
not  recur. 

An  important  malformation,  or  rather  lack  of  devel- 
opment, corsists  in  the  production  of  eggs  without 
shells  or  with  soft  shells.  This  condition  usually  re- 
sults from  the  fact  that  the  hen  which  ])roduced  the 
egg  laid  it  before  the  shell  had  time  to  develop  or  that 
she  was  not  supplied  with  the  proper  kind  of  nourish- 
ment, and  therefore  could  not  produce  the  lime  salts 
necessary  for  the  secretion  of  the  shell.* 

The  treatment  in  the  latter  case  consists  in  giving 
fowls  ground  oyster  shells,  broken  egg  shells  or  ])ieces 
of  ground  bone. 


3.  EGG  BOUND. 


Sometimes  an  egg  becomes  caught  in  the  oviduct 
and  cannot  be  expelled.  K  may  be  that  this  comes 
from  the  fact  lliat  Ihe  egg  is  too  large  oi'  that  irritation 
or  inilammation  has  caused  a  swelling  that  obstructs 
the  passage,  or  that  the  cloaca  is  obstructed  with  a 
mass  of  faeces.     In  these  cases,  it  is  necessary  to  sup- 


*See  Inflammation  of  the  Oviduct. 


75 

\>ly  assistance.  If  it  is  fouiul  that  \Uv  cloaca  is  ob- 
structed, the  faecal  masses  should  be  removed  in  the 
manner  described  under  constipation.  If  the  egj^  is 
large,  or  the  passage  small,  the  injection  of  oil  or 
glycerine  may  enable  the  hen  to  expel  it.  If,  however, 
it  cannot  be  removed  in  this  manner  an  attempt  should 
be  made  to  expel  it  by  placing  the  hen  upon  her  back 
and  pressing  above  the  egg  through  the  abdominal 
walls  and  in  that  way  forcing  it  out.  If  it  cannot  be 
removed  in  this  way,  the  only  alternative  is  to  break 
it  and  remove  tbe  shell  piece  by  piece.  The  fragments 
of  shell  should  be  removed  with  the  finger  or  a  pair  of 
forceps.  When  the  pieces  of  shell  cannot  be  removed 
at  once,  sweet  oil  should  be  injected  in  order  to-  lu 
bricate  the  passages  as  freely  as  possible  and  facilitate 
the  removal  of  the  sharj),  broken  pieces. 


4.  INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  OVIDUCT. 


The  oviduct  sometimes  becomes  inflamed  as  the  re- 
sult of  the  manipulations  necessary  to  overcome  the 
condition  of  egg-bo-und,  and  sometimes  it  becomes  in- 
llamed  from  causes  that  are  not  understood.  When 
this  inflammation  exists,  the  hen  makes  movements  as 
though  she  were  attempting  to  lay  an  egg,  is  very 
uneasy,  rubs  the  posterior  portion  of  the  body  along 
the  ground,  and  in  these  ways  indicates  irritation  of 
that  part.  Sometimes  the  first  symptoms  of  beginning 
infhimmation  of  the  oviduct  is  the  production  of  eggs 
with  soft  shells.  This  condition  has  l>een  found  not 
5-1 


70 

only  aiDoiiLj  chickens,  but  also  among  ducks,  geese  and 
turkeys. 

The  treat  IE ent  of  this  disease  is  not  very  satisfac- 
tory. Tt  consists  in  placing  the  bird  in  a  quite  place 
where  it  will  not  be  annoyed  and,  in  acute  cases,  in- 
jecting a  weak  solution  of  tannic  acid  (1  part  to  100). 
to  which  a  small  quantity  of  chlorate  of  potash  (2  or 
3  parts  to  100)  has  been  added.  This  tluid  should  be 
made  warm  before  it  is  injected,  and  should  be  admin- 
istered carefully  and  in  small  quantities.  The  best 
syringe  for  this  purpose  is  a  soft  rubber  bulb  supplied 
with  a  hard  rubber  nozzle.  Laxatives,  such  as  castor 
oil  or  calomel  should  be  administered  in  sufficient 
quantities  to  keep  the  bowel  loose.  The  food  should 
be  non-stimulating,  and  given  in  small  quantities. 


5.  PROLAPSUS  OF  THE  OVIDUCT. 


As  a  result  of  great  straining  to  expel  an  unusually 
large  egg,  the  oviduct  may  be  turned  inside  out  and 
project  from  the  body  of  the  hen.  It  can  then  be  seen 
as  a  red  swelling  protruding  from  the  rear  part  of  the 
body,  the  hen  becomes  very  uneasy,  and  it  is  impossi- 
ble for  her  to  lay  eggs  while  in  this  condition.  In  ex- 
amining these  cases,  particular  attention  should  be 
paid  to  the  color  of  the  inverted  membrane.  If  it  is 
very  dark,  and  of  a  purplish  or  bluish  tinge,  treatment 
should  not  be  attem]»ted.  for  this  indicates  that  gan- 
grene is  about  to  begin,  and  in  these  cases  the  fowls 
can  not  be  saved,  so  that  it  is  better  to  destroy  theni 


77 

while  still  fit  for  food.  If  the  membrane  is  red.  it 
should  be  washed  off  with  warm  water,  covered  with 
a  thin  coating  of  vaseline  and  pushed  back  very  care- 
fully. If  it  is  expelled  again  it  should  be  again  re- 
turned and  a  small  piece  of  ice  placed  in  the  opening. 
This  will  usually  cause  the  parts  to  contract  to  such 
an  extent  that  they  will  not  fall  out.  From  the  be- 
ginning of  the  treatment,  the  hen. must  be  kept  in  a 
quiet  place  and  allowed  very  little  food. 


CHAPTER  V. 


DISEASES  OF   THE   BRAIN  AND  EYE. 


1.  CONGESTION  OF  THE  BRAIN. 


Congestion  of  the  brain  may  be  caused  by  extreme 
excitement,  by  blows  on  the  head  or  sunstroke.  It  is 
characterized  by  staggering,  stupor,  unusual  move- 
ments, such  as  v.alking  backwards  or  walking  in  a  cir- 
cle, unusual  and  irregular  movements  with  the  wings 
and  feet  and  tv^isting  the  head  backwards  or  to  the 
side.  Sometimes  the  bird  will  fall  on  its  side  and 
make  peculiar  movements  with  its  feet  and  wings,  as 
though  attempting  to  run  or  fly. 

Tlie  treatment  consists  in  keeping  the  animal  per- 
fectly quiet  in  a  dark  place,  the  administration  of  laxa- 
tives, such  as  two  teaspoonfuls  of  castor  oil  or  one  and 
one-half  grain  doses  of  calomel,  and  the  application  of 
cold  cloths  or  ice  to  the  head. 


EPILEPSY. 


Epil('|»sv  is  uot  a  veiv  ((niiiiKm  (lis<';is('  jiiiKnig  pout 
try,  but   still   it  is  met  with   fium   time    to    tiiiic    and 

(78) 


70 

aiuuiij;  all  vaiiclics  of  barnyard  I'owls.  It  is  charader- 
ized  by  the  occasioual  oceur-rpnte  of  tils  which  do  not 
terminate  faljilly,  disappear  after  a  time  and  leave  the 
fowl  in  a  normal  condition.  During  the  fit,  the  fowl 
will  make  beating  movements  with  its  wings,  its  legs 
will  draw  up  and  it  will  fall  down,  sometimes  turn  over 
on  its  back,  or  it  may  stand  upright  with  its  legs  apart, 
head  turned  backwaid  and  the  mouth  and  eyes  open- 
ing and  closing  spasmodically.  Epilepsy  is  sometimes 
caused  by  intestinal  ])arasites,  and  is  cured  by  the  re- 
moval of  these  ^orms.  It  is  claimed  that  bromide  of 
potash  given  in  quantities  of  a  few  grains  each  day  in 
the  drinking  water  is  of  value  in  these  cases,  but  it  is 
not  probable  that  treatment  will  prove  to  be  at  all 
profitable. 


3.  FEATHER  EATING. 


This  habit  is  classed  among  the  affections  of  the  ner- 
vous system  because  if  it  is  not  nervous  disease  it  is 
such  an  overpo\^enng  habit  that  it  can  scarcely  be  dis- 
tinguished from  the  disease. 

Where  this  habit  is  prevalent  in  a  poultry  yard,  the 
fowls  present  a  most  untidy  appearance,  the  feathers 
about  the  neck  and  upper  part  of  the  breast  are 
plucked  out.  and  sometimes  they  are  partially  removed 
from  other  parts  of  the  body.  If  the  flo-ck  is  watched 
for  a  little  while  it  will  be  noticed  that  the  birds  pluck 
the  feathers  fr(»m  each  othei'.  Tliis  habit  usuall.v 
starts  with  one  fowl  and  sjtrcads  by  foi-ce  of  examj)le 
to  Ihe  others. 


.so 

ill  oidfi'  U)  pievfut  it,  a  lovvi  tliat  is  iioticod  pluck 
iug-  feathers  should  be  at  once  removed  from  the  liock 
before  the  others  litive  had  time  to  learn  the  habit.  If 
it  is  not  dtsirable  that  the  bird  should  hv  killed,  several 
methods  for  preventinn'  the  continuation  of  the  habit 
are  recommended.  The  best  and  most  humane  is  to 
tile  awav  the  bill  in  front  and  on  the  sides  so  that  it 
will  not  close  tightly,  but  when  shut  leaves  a  space  of 
about  one-tenth  of  an  inch.  This  will  prevent  the  bird 
from  grasping  the  feather  with  sufficient  force  to  re- 
move it,  but  will  not  interfere  with  eating.  Another 
remedy  that  has  been  suggested  is  to  place  a  piece  of 
wire  through  the  mouth  as  a  bit  and  carry  the  upper 
end  of  wirt  through  a  liole  that  has  been  punctured 
in  the  oomb.  Tliis  has  the  effect  of  preventing  the 
fowl  from  closing  the  beak  tightly,  and  therefore  from 
palling  out  the  feathers,  but  is  rather  a  cruel  proced- 
ure and  cannot  be  recommended.  In  all  cases,  fo^wls 
inflicted  in  this  way  should  be  allowed  a  large  yard, 
so  that  they  may  have  plenty  of  exercise. 


4.  EGG  EATING. 


This  is  another  habit  that  spreads  from  fowl  to  fowl 
similar  to  the  above.  If  eggs  are  allowed  to  remain 
too  long"  in  the  nests  so  that  they  become  broken,  or  if 
soft  shell  eggs  are  produced  by  any  of  the  hens  in  the 
tlO'Ck  some  of  the  fowls  may  get  into  the  way  of  eating" 
them,  and  the  habit  once  started  spreads  from  bird  to 
bird  until  in  some  cases  it  becomes  almost  impossible 
lo  secni'c  anv  eggs  at  all. 


81 

The  Ireatnieiil  in  tbt'se  should  be  to  lenuivc  the  bird 
that  spreads  the  habit  as  sooii  as  il  is  delected, or  if  this 
is  not  done,  and  the  habit  becomes  well  established,  a 
special  form  of  nest  should  be  used  which  permits  the 
egg  to  roll  out  and  escape  from  the  reach  of  the  hen 
as  soon  ns  it  is  deposited. 


o.  TUMORS  OF  THE   EYELIDS. 


Sometimes  wart  growths  appear  upon  the  eyelids  and 
they  may  become  large  enough  to  interfere  with  the 
vision  or  by  pressure  upon  the  eye  balls  destro-y  the 
sight.  Not  only  warty  growths  appear  in  this  region, 
but  also  other  tumors  of  a  variety  of  kinds.  When  it 
is  evident  that  they  are  becoming  large  enough  to  l)e- 
corae  harmful,  they  should  be  snipped  o<ff  with  a  pair 
of  sharp  scissors,  and  the  wound  cauterized  with  lunar 
caustic. 


(;.  INFLAMMATION    OF   THE    EVE. 


Inflammation  of  the  eye  is  sometimes  caused  by  par 
asites  and  sometimes  by  mechanical  irritation  such  as 
blows,  wounds  received  in  fighting,  etc.  Or,  the  eyes 
may  become  inflamed  as  a  result  of  taking  cold.  These 
inttammntions  are  of  different  kinds  and  different  de- 
grees of  severity,  dei)endent  u])on  the  y)art  (if  the  eye 
6-1 


82 

jilVcclcd  and  tlie  extent  ol  the  iiijiii  v.  lii  most  cases. 
they  are  eliaraelerized  by  .sAvelliii<;  of  tlie  eyelids,  in- 
terference with  vision,  cloudiness  of  the  front  of  the 
eye,  sometimes,  total  blindness.  Jn  the  halter  case, 
treatment  is  not  to  be  recommended;  the  fowl  should 
be  destroyed  at  once.  lint  if  the  trouble  alfects  only 
one  eye,  or  is  not  an  unusually  severe  type,  it  may  be 
treated  by  cleansinj?  the  eyelids  with  warm  water,  to 
which  boracic  acid  has  been  added  in  the  ju^oportion  of 
15  grs.  to  the  ounce.  The  fowl  should  be  kept  in  a 
dark  place  and  fed  small  quantities  of  food  and  al- 
lowed plenty  of  fresh  air  until  it  is  recovered.  Cloudi- 
ness of  the  f\\  nt  of  the  eye — the  cornea — may  be 
treated  by  dusting  a  small  quantity  of  calomel  over  the 
surface  and  repeatinu  the  application  once  daily  as 
long  as  necessary. 

A  strong  solution  of  comnjon  salt  is  a  good  eye  wash 
for  simple  ti'oubles. 


CHAPTER  VL 


DISEASES  OF  THE  LEGS  AND  FEET. 


A.  Those  caused  by  parasites. 

MANGE  OF  THE  LEGS  AND  FEET. 


Marge  of  the  legs,  or  chalk  legs,  is  a  contagious  dis 
ease  caused  by  a  parasite  known  as  Sarcoptes  mutans. 
It  it  confined  exclusively  to  the  legs  and  feet  and  never 
extends  to  other  parts  of  the  body. 
When  the  parasites  of  this  disease 
are  placed  on  the  legs  of  a  healthy 
fowl  they  work  their  way  under  the 
large  scales  on  the  front  of  the  leg  or 
on  the  upper  part  of  the  toes.  They 
multiply  rapidly  and  within  a  short 
time  it  may  be  noticed  that  the  scale 
commences  to  rise  and  a  little  yellow- 
ish crust  forms  about  its  edge.  In 
time,  other  scales  become  involved, 
the  crust  increases  in  thickness  and 
scurfy,  powdery  material  piles  up  in 
considerable  quantity  until  in  old  andFeet 
cases  the  entire  feet  and  legs  may  be  J:inm%meBnH^rH\ 
involved  and  to  such  an  extent  that  ^"^'■• 
they  seem  to  be  several  times  their  normal  thickness. 
When  this  Uiick  crust  is  pulled  off  it  is  found  that  tlic 
surface  is  I'iiw  ;ind  ttlccding.     The  interior  of  the  crust 

(83) 
5'--T 


The     Parasite    of 
Mange  of  the   Legs 


84 


is  hollowed  out  by  a  great  uiiiuber  of  small  cavities 
and  a  close  examiuatiou  O'f  these  cavities  will  show 
that  they  contain  parasites.  Frequently,  a  cavity  will 
contain  an  old  female  and  a  large  number  of  young. 
These  young  are  born  alive,  so  that  no  eggs  are  present 
in  the  scabs  unless  a  female  has  been  crushed  and  the 
eggs  have  escaped  from  her  body. 

In  time,  the  disease  be- 
comes so  bad  that  the  bird 
cannot  walk.  It  lies  on  its 
breast,  hops  about  from 
place  to  place,  becomes 
thin  and  at  last  dies  from 
exhaustion. 

It  is  not  very  ditticult 
to  cure  this  disease,  pro- 
vided careful  attention  is 
devoted  to  it.  The  first 
thing  to  do  is  to  remove  the 
diseased  fowl  from  the 
flO'Clv,  disinfect  the  poultry 
house,  the  nests  and 
perches.  The  treatment  of 
the  individual  begins  with 
the  removal  of  the  scab  so 
that  the  parasite  may  be 
leached  and  destroyed. 
The  scab  may  be  removed 
by  soaking  it  with  oil, 
either  swc^t  oil  or  cotton- 
seed. This  should  be  ap 
plied  fi'ccly  and  alloAved  to 
remain  for  twenly-foui- 
lioMi-s.  after  which  large 
so<-ti(nis  of  the  cnist  mav  be  taken  away  without   ()ain 


The  Foot  of  a   Fowl  Afkectkh 
With  Mange. 


85 

to  the  bird,  or  vaseline  or  soft  soap  may  be  used  for 
the  same  purpose.  The  action  of  the  oil  may  be  iu 
teusified  by  wrappinjj^  the  le<is  in  cotton  after  it  is  ap- 
plied and  binding  the  co-tton  on  with  a  narrow  band- 
age or  witli  a  soft  oord.  Following  the  removal  of 
the  scab,  the  legs  should  be  treated  with  a  solution  of 
balsam  of  Peru  in  alcohol,  equal  parts.  Or  strong  sul- 
phur ointment  or  creolin  solution  oue  part,  water,  teu 
j)arts,  may  be  applied  once  daily. 


B.  Those  not  caused  hy  parasites. 
1.  OOKNS. 


As  a  result  of  standing  on  too  sharp  or  too  narrow 
perches  or  having  to  fly  from  heights  on  to  a  hard 
floor,  the  feet  of  fowls  are  sometimes  irritated  in  such 
a  way  that  the  skin  becomes  thick,  hard  and  painful. 
These  thickenings  constitute  corns  and  occasion  some 
lameness  and  when  the  bird  is  caught  and  examined 
closely  the  cause  of  the  trouble  can  be  recognized  with- 
out difficulty. 

The  treatment  consists  in  paring  the  elevation  off 
with  a  sharp  knife.  i>Minting  the  surface  with  tincture 
t)f  iodine  and  removing  the  cause  by  making  the 
perches  wide  and  smooth  or  lowering  them,  as  may  bo 
required. 


86 
•2.      HUMBLEFOOT. 

The  causes  that  produce  cunis  will,  if  of  au  espe- 
cially severe  type,  cause  deep  and  serious  bruises  of  the 
joints  of  the  feet  and  legs.  These  bruises  are  followed 
by  swellings  of  the  joints,  the  parts  become  very  ten- 
der and  sore  so  that  it  becomes  diBicult  for  the  bird  to 
walk.  The  piincipal  joint  of  the  foot  may  become  very 
much  enlarged  so  that  the  deformity  can  be  seen  from 
a  considerable  distance.  A  close  examination  will 
show  that  the  swelling  is  very  painful  to  pressure  and 
is  sometimes  feverish  and  soft.  If  it  does  not  termin- 
ate within  a  short  time,  germs  from  the  injury  may 
enter  the  bones  or  pass  to  joints  further  up  the  leg 
and  lead  to  swelling,  great  soreness  and  sometimes 
to  abscess  formation  or  gangrene. 

The  causes  of  bumblefoot  should  be  avoided  and  the 
treatment  of  the -condition  consists  in  applying  flaxseed 
poultices,  by  tying  a  bag  of  cheesecloth  containing  the 
poultice  around  the  foot,  or  applying  an  ointment 
made  of  cieolin  and  vaseline  (one  part  to  forty).  If 
the  swelling  becomes  soft,  so  that  it  is  evident  that 
it  contains  pus  it  should  be  opened  by  making 
au  incision  into  it  with  a  sliarp  knife  and  its 
contents  should  then  be  syringed  out  with  a  solu- 
tion of  creolin  and  water  (one  part  to  fifty).  In  the 
more  severe  cases,  accompanied  by  the  formation  of 
large  abscesses  of  grangrene,  no  treatment  can  be  suc- 
cessful. Scmi  cases  of  buniTilefo-ot  develop  to  a  cer- 
tain extent  and  then  continue  in  the  same  condition 
for  a  long  time,  leaving  the  fowl  wilh  ;i  rhronic  de- 
formity of  the  f<-et.  Tliese  old  cases  nic  best  frcntcd 
by  painliiig  the  enlarged  joints  willi  iddiuc  or  by  ()]m'ii 
irig  file  swellings  and  applying  iodine  to  I  heir  inleiior 


87 


3.  GOUT. 

Fowls  of  the  heavy  breeds,  when  kept  in  a  liigli  con- 
dition and  allowed  but  little  exercise,  may  develop  a 
disease  that  is  practically  identical  with  gout  in  man. 
It  usually  develops  rather  slowly,  beginning  as  a  some- 
what indefiiiite  lameness  that  might  be  mistaken  for 
rheumatism.  But  shortly  the  joints  of  the  feet  and 
legs,  and  sometimes  of  the  wings  as  well,  swell,  be- 
come painful  to  pressure,  the  bird  becomes  disinclined 
to  move;  later,  little  tunio-rs,  that  are  rather  hard,  ap- 
pear about  the  affected  joints  and  still  later  the  skin 
covering  these  enlargements  becomes  dry,  brittle  and 
breaks,  exposing  a  yellow  or  grayish  crumbling,  chalky 
mass  which  is  composed  principally  of  uric  acid  and  its 
salts.  Sometimes,  the  toes  dry  up,  lose  their  life  and 
fall  of.  The  general  spirits  of  the  fowl  are,  of  course, 
depressed,  because  it  is  difficult  for  it  to  get  around. 
It  becomes  feverish,  loses  its  appetite,  wastes  away  and 
toward  the  end  develops  a  diarrhoea  that  hastens 
death. 

Treatment  of  gout  consists  in  removing  the  enlarge- 
ments by  scraping  them  off  with  a  blunt  instrument  or 
cutting  them  away  with  a  knife,  and,  internally,  bicar- 
bonate O'f  sode  should  be  administered.  This  can  be 
supplied  by  adding  it  to  the  drinking  water  in  quanti- 
ties of  about  a  ter.spoonful  to  the  pint. 


8S 


4.   FREEZING 


The  feet,  coiubs  and  wtiltles  of  fowls  exposed  during 
very  cold  weather  are  frequently  frozen.  Usually  but 
little  can  be  done  after  the  injury  has  taken  place  un 
less  the  condition  is  detected  early,  at  which  time  it 
may  be  possible  to  save  the  frozen  parts  by  remo'ving 
the  fpost  with  applications  of  snow  or  cold  water, 
annointing  the  frozen  parts  with  cosmoline  g>v  camphor- 
ated oil  and  placing  the  fowl  in  a  reasonably,  though 
no-t  \er\,  warm  place,  and  keeping  the  frozen  parts 
moistened  with  the  applications  mentioned. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


DISEASES  OF   THE  BONES. 


1.  RICKETS. 


Rickets  is  a  disease  of  the  bones  that  prevents  their 
becoming  hard  and  stift  as  they  should,  thus  allowing 
them  to  bend  and  become  deformed  under  the  weight 
of  the  fowl.  The  bones  that  are  most  frequently  sub- 
ject to  deformity  in  cases  of  rickets  are  those  of  the 
legs  and  the  breast  bone  because  these  carry  the  most 
weight.  Rickets  usually  results  from  improper  feed- 
ing. A  growing  fowl  should  not  only  have  food  to 
make  flesh  but  also  to  make  bone,  and  unless  this  is 
supplied  in  sufficient  quantity  and  in  an  available 
form,  the  imperfectly  nourished  bones  develop  the  con 
dition  above  described. 

The  treatment  consists  in  giving  sufficient  food  of  a 
proper  sort,  such  as  grains  of  all  kinds,  ground  bone, 
ground  shells,  wallplaster  from  old  buildings,  broken 
egg  shells,  etc.  A  composition  in  high  repute  among 
ihe  poailterers  of  England  is  Parrish's  chemical  food. 
Phosphate  of  lime,  which  is  the  princi]>al  and  mosr 
valaable  ir.gredient  of  Parrish's  chemical  food,  can  Itr 
administered  in  doses  of  two  oi-  three  grains  |)cr  day 
to  each  young  chick  that  is  notic<d  to  be  rickety  in 
the  least  degree. 


DO 


•-'.   b^J{A(jriIIiKS. 


ITraetures  of  the  legs  and  wiiigs  are  uot  infreqiieul. 
As  a  rule,  it  does  uot  pay  to  treat  them  unless  the  fowl 
is  unusually  valuable  or  a  cage  bird  that  there  is  es 
pecial  reason  for  saving.  Fractures  of  the  legs  can 
usually  be  splirtered  and  the  bones  kept  in  position 
with  little  difficulty  by  applying  a  splint  of  cork, 
leather  or  quill.  The  leg  should  be  wrapped  in  absor- 
bent cotton,  the  bones  placed  in  a  proper  position,  the 
splint  applied  and  then  wrapped  with  soft  wool,  yarn 
or  with  a  narrow  muslin  bandage.  After  splinting, 
the  bird  should  be  kept  as  quiet  as  possible.  If  it  is 
a  large  adult  fowl  it  may  be  necessary  to  place  it  in  a 
small  box  or  basket  for  from  two  to  three  weeks.  At 
the  expiration  of  this  period  union  has  usually  taken 
place. 

Fractures  of  the  wing  are  somewhat  more  difficult 
to  treat,  because  the  muscles  and  feathers  interfere 
with  the  application  of  a  bandage,  so  that  the  best 
method  is  merely  to  fold  the  wing  in  its  natural  posi- 
tion against  the  side  of  the  bird  and  hold  it  there  by 
a  bandage  passed  around  the  body,  until  the  fracture 
has  united. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


CONTAGIOUS  DISEASES. 


1.  DIPHTHERIA  OR  ROUP. 


Uiplilheria,  croup  or  loaip,  is  a  very  common  dis- 
ease among'  poultry,  and  undoubtedly  destroys  millions 
of  dollars  worth  ot  fowls  in  tlie  United  States  every 
year.  Tliere  are  two  forms  of  roup,  one  caused  by 
bacteria  and  the  other  by  pr&tozoa.  but  since  the  symp- 
toms, remedies  and  means  of 
prevention  are  very  much 
alike  in  both  cases  it  is  not 
necessary  that  they  should 
be  considered  separately  in 
this  report. 

Roup  is,  in  all  cases,  a 
contagious  or  "catching" 
disease.  It  spreads  from 
one  fowl  to  another  and 
ma}'  be  carried  from  flock 
to  flock  by  the  interchange 
of  birds.  It  is  thought  by 
some  that  roup  may  be  pro- 
duced by  exposure,  and  that 
it  is  merely  a  severe  cold  or 
catarrh,  but  careful  observa- 
tion shows  that  this  view  is 
not  cnrr(H't.    and    that    roup 

(91) 


The  Floor  of  the  Mouth  of 
A  Fowl,  Showing  Diphthk- 
RiTic  Patches. 


1)2 

can  only  hv  produced  by  the  siK'cilic  oij^anisnis  of  tlic 
disease.  Jt  is  undoubtedly  tiu(!  that  unfavorable  in 
tluences,  svch  as  those  that  cause  colds  predispose 
poultry  to  roup  and  i)lace  the  birds  in  such  a  condition 
that  they  are  more  a})t  to  develop  it  when  exposed  to 
it,  and  jteiJiaps  cause  tlie  appearance  of  the  disease  in 
a  severe  and  tatal  form  wlien  it  would  have  followed  a 
mild  course  if  these  unfavorable  conditions  had  not  ex- 
isted. Young  fowls,  tender  breeds,  and  birds  in  poor 
co-ndition,  and  especially  thoise  that  are  poorly  cared 
for,  are  most  predisposed  to  roup.  All  varities  of  do- 
mestic fowls  may  contract  it.  It  also  affects  cage 
birds  and  outbreaks  have  been  described  among  wild 
birds. 

The  characteristic  symptom  from  which  this  disease 
derives  its  name  consists  in  the  appearance  of  wliite 
patches  (m  the  membrane  lining  the  moaith  and  nose, 
the  air  passages;  and  these  same  patches  occasional! v 
develop  on  the  sldn,  in  the  intestines  or  in  the  lungs. 
The  patches  or  roup  are  at  first  white  and  resemble  a 
white  mould.  The  size  of  the  patch  is  indefinite  and 
never  the  same  in  two  individuals.  Tt  may  be  very 
small,  or  it  n.ay  extend  over  the  entire  lining  mem- 
brane of  the  mouth.  Sometimes,  it  appears  first  on 
the  sides  of  the  tongue,  sometimes  on  the  roof  of  the 
month,  sometimes  in  the  throat  or  about,  or  in.  the 
nose  or  eye,  on  the  skin  of  the  head,  or  in  the  deeper 
]»arts  of  iho  body.  At  tii-st,  the  fowl  does  not  show 
mncli  iiicoii\('iiience.  As  the  i)atch  nialuies  it  V»e- 
comes  yellow,  its  borders  dry  and  adhere  closely  tt) 
tlie  mucous  membrane,  and  if  it  is  large  enough,  it 
may  obstruct  the  air  passages  oi"  the  mouth  and  cause 
s<'rious  difficulty  in  breathing.  At  this  stage  of  the 
disease   the   fowl    icfuses   food,  becomes  sluggish   and 


03 

presents  the  usual  well-known  appearance  of  a  sick 
«;hieken.  The  patches  sometimes  putrefy  and  beconu^ 
exceedingly  otleisive.  ^^'hen  they  are  scraped  away 
it  is  noticed  that  the  tissues  beneath  are  raw  and  sore. 
The  interference  with  breathing  may  be  so  serious  that 
the  bird  will  hold  its  mouth  open  and  struggle  for  air 
like  a  chicken  wilh  gapes.  The  entire  face  is  some- 
times covered  with  i)atehes  of  false  membrane,  the 
eye  may  become  affected  or  destroyed  and  the  air 
passages  may  be  completely  obstructed  so  that  death 
is  caused  by  suffocation.  The  corner  of  the  mouth 
seems  to  be  a  favorite  seat  for  the  development  of  diph- 
theritic false  membrane. 

The  disease  usually  follows  a  chronic  course  lasting 
several  days  or  several  weeks.  In  some  outbreaks, 
however,  the  germ  of  the  disease  seems  to  be  more 
virulent  than  in  others,  and  in  these  cases  the  birds 
may  die  after  the  lapse  of  but  a  fcAv  days.  In  strong 
individuals,  and  especially  where  the  general  type  of 
the  outbreak  is  not  of  a  very  virulent  character,  the 
tendency  is  toward  recovery,  but  the  disease  is  never- 
theless destructive,  because  recoveied  birds  are  fre- 
quently thin  and  unproductive  for  a  long  period.  The 
fact  that  fovls  suffeiMng  from  roup  do  not  show  evi- 
dence of  general  disturbance  until  the  local  changes 
are  quite  obvious,  is  due  to  the  fact  that  roup  is  es- 
sentially a  local  disease  of  the  mu<-ous  membranes, 
and  general  disease  does  not  result  until  the  air  or 
food  passages  are  obstructed  or  interfered  witli  by  the 
patches,  or  general  infection  takes  place. 

The  treatnunt  of  roup  must  begin  with  the  isol.ition 
of  tlie  afflicted  fowl  and  thorougli  disinftM-tion  of  tlu^ 
poultry  house  and  yards.  This  disinfection  should  be 
carried  out  with  great  care,  and  should  be  |>r('ced('(l  by 


94 


.1  ihoiimgh  ck'j;i.sinji  of  the  droppings.  The  yards 
should  be  spriidvled  wilh  lime,  tlic  feeding  place  should 
be  scrupulously  cleansed  and  disinfected,  and  the 
water  sujiply  should  be  looked  to  carefully,  in  order  to 
avoid  possible  impurities  or  coutaniinat  ion.  The  fowls 
that  die  should  be  cremated 
or  deeply  buried  at  a  dis- 
tance fr(nu  the  poultry 
grounds.  Tlie  individual 
l)atients  need  not  be  de- 
sitroyiMl.  as  is  sometimes 
done,  because  it  is  fre- 
quently possible  to  save 
them  by  means  of  very  sim- 
ple treatment.  It  is  impor- 
tant to  place  them  in  warm, 
dry  (luarters,  and  feed  nu- 
tritious, attractive  food. 
Douglass  mixture,  referred 
to  on  page  38,  is  useful.  The 
diphtheritic  patches  should 
be  removed  by  scraping 
lightly  witli  a  blunt  metal  or 
wooden  instrument,  or  by 
rubbing  them  otf  with  a 
swab  made  by  Avrapping  a  snmll  pledget  of  cot- 
ton about  the  end  of  a  toothpick.  After  they 
are  removed,  the  raw  surface  thus  exposed  should 
be  treated  with  an  antiseptic,  for  the  purpose 
of  destroying  the  disease  germs  that  remain.  One  of 
the  best  ;i]'i>lications  for  thi.s  j)nrp(>se  is  a  10  per  cent. 
solution  of  nitriite  of  silver,  to  be  applied  cautiously 
and  in  small  quantities,  with  a  camel's  hair  brush. 
(ir.  a   2  j)er  cent,  solution  of  creolin  or  carbolic  acid 


I 

h 

i 

m 

1 

m 

1 

m 

The  Hoof  of  the  Mouth  of  a 
Fowl,  showing  Diphtheritic 
Patches. 


95 

may  he  used.  A  solution  of  corrosive  siiblimnle  (1  part 
to  J, 000  of  water)  is  also  sufficient,  but  must  be  used 
with  gieat  care.  Iwersen  recommendg  petroleum  in 
this  disease  and  advises  that  a  drop  of  this  substance 
shall  be  placed  in  the  nasal  passage  of  the  diseased 
fowl,  and  that  the  diseased  membranes  be  treated  with 
light  applications  applied  with  a  small  brush.  If  the 
nose  is  stopped  up,  peroxide  of  h\'drogeu,  diluted  with 
an  equal  amount  of  water,  may  be  injected  with  a  glass 
and  rubber  medicine  dropper.  If  the  dropper  has  a 
bent  point,  the  medicine  may  be  squirted  into  the  back 
of  the  nose  through  the  openings  in  the  roof  of  the 
mouth. 

Roup  or  diphtheria  may  be  prevented  by  avoiding 
unsanitary  conditions,  by  enforcing  cleanliness,  disin- 
fecting frequently  and  preventing  the  introduction  of 
foreign  fowls  into  the  flock  until  they  have  been  kept 
isolated  long  enough  to  make  sure  that  they  are 
healthy. 

Cases  have  been  reported  from  time  to  time  in  which 
it  lias  been  claimed  that  diphtheria  of  fowls  has  been 
conveyed  to  people  and  vice  versa.  Recent  investiga- 
tions, however,  indicate  that  this  disease  in  man  and 
birds  is  caused  by  different  organisms,  and  that  the 
probability  of  tracsmission  is  not  very  great. 

With  reference  to  this  matter.  Dr.  V.  A.  Moore 
writes  as  follows:*  "Altho-ugh  the  number  of  reported 
cases  of  the  transmission  of  diphtheria  to  the  human 
species  and  vk-e  versa  is  small  in  comparison  with  the 
extent  of  the  disease  in  poultry,  the  evidence  that  such 
a  transmission  is  possible  is  quite  sufficient  to  discour- 
age the  careless  handling  of  diseased  fowls.  It  is 
quite  a  common  practice,  usually  in  the  rural  districts. 

♦Bulletin  No.  8,  V.  S.  Depiartmpnt  of  Agriculture,  1S9.T. 


96 

to  bring  sick  (.liiciceiis  into  the  house  for  treatment 
where  the  children  of  tlie  household  are  allowed  lo 
fondle  them  al  will.  It  is  not  improbable  that  when 
this  disease  is  tt-orouj^hly  investigated  the  number  of 
cases  of  direct  infection  from  this  source  will  be  found 
to  be  much  larger  than  is  at  present  supposed.  Until 
such  invesligaticns  are  satisfactorily  completed  the  in- 
discriminate handling  of  diphtheritic  fowls,  especially 
by  children,  and  the  exposure  of  fowls  to  tJie  infection 
of  diphtheria  in  the  human  species  whereby  they  may 
become  carriers  of  the  virus,  should  be  strenuously 
avoided." 


2.  FOWL   CHOLERA. 


The  desigr-ation  fowl  cholera  includes  several  in- 
fectious diseases  of  poultry,  none  of  which  have  been 
thoroughly  studied  in  this  country  during  recent  years. 
The  fowl  cholera  that  occurs  in  France  and  Germany 
is  very  well  understood,  but  its  symptoms  do  not  agree 
fully  with  those  of  the  various  diseases  known  as  fowl 
cholei-a  in  this  country.  The  Bureau  of  Animal  In- 
dustry in  Washington  has  made  some  investigations 
of  outbreaks  of  fatal  contagious  diseases  among  chick- 
ens and  pigeons  but  the  work  is  not  yet  completed. 
So  far  as  it  has  gone,  it  indicates  that  one  of  the  af- 
fecrions  known  as  fo.wl  cliolera  is  caused  by  a  rod- 
shaped  bacillus  that  is  exceedingly  resistant  to  ex- 
tremes of  tempei-atui'c,  and  can  probably  live  in  ])ro- 
tected  places  for  a  long  period.* 


♦Bulletin  No.  S,  U.  S.  Departmont  of  Asrirultuie,  1S9.'). 


97 

The  syiDptcmfci  of  .Uucrieuii  fowl  eholeia  were  first 
(lesciibt'd  by  Di.  tSalmou  iu  1S80.  'I'iicv  iiicliule  the 
voidiug  of  faeces  ot  w  liich  the  part  that  is  normally 
white  is  yellow.  The  white  part  of  tlie  faeces  is  ex- 
creted by  the  kidneys,  and  the  yellow  discoloi'atiou  of 
this  excreraeut  is  usually  the  first  indication  of  dis- 
ease. 'Shoi-tly  thereafter  the  droppings  become  thin 
and  fluid,  they  are  voided  frequently  and  envelop  by 
a  layer  of  tlin  mucous.  The  fowl  becomes  depressed, 
it  stands  still  or  assumes  a  sitting  posture,  goes  into 
a  sunny,  warm  place  if  possible.  The  plumage  be- 
comes ruffled,  the  head  is  drawn  down,  the  comb  be- 
comes pale  and  bloodless,  and  the  appetite  is  depressed 
O'r  lost.  The  depression  and  torpidity  of  the  fowl  in- 
creases until  it  seems  to  become  unconscious  and  can- 
not be  aroused  by  objects  that  usually  frighten  it.  The 
bird  becomes  thin  and  weak  and  sometimes  passes  into 
a  stupor  and  dies.  In  other  cases,  it  may  have  convul- 
sions prior  to  death. 

The  symptoms  of  the  European  fowl  cholera,  which 
may  also  occur  in  this  country,  although  it  has  never 
been  proven  definitely,  are  in  many  respects  similar 
to  the  above.  In  many  cases,  the  disease  runs  such  a 
vecj  short  course  that  no  evidence  of  illness  is  dis- 
covered until  the  bird  tumbles  over  in  convulsions  and 
dies.  Somxetimes,  the  co-urse.  of  the  disease  is  so  rapid 
that  more  than  half  of  a  large  floclv  of  apparently 
healthy  chickens  will  die  during  a  single  night. 
Usually,  however,  the  disease  lasts  from  one  to  three 
days,  and  is  evidenced  by  loss  of  appetite,  depression, 
ruffling  of  the  feathers,  hanging  wings,  inclination  to 
get  away  from  the  flock,  high  temperatur(\  discharge 
of  mucous  from  the  mouth,  diarrhoea,  thin  faeces,  that 
are  at  first  slightly  yellowish,  but  later  on  greenish  and 
7-1 


98 

haviiijj;'  an  olTensive  odor;  ij;reat  tliirst,  hlnisli  disco-lora 
tion  of  the  comb,  and  doath  either  in  a  stupor  or  pre- 
ceded In-  c(>i'Vulsion.s.  Alter  death,  the  disscrliou  of 
the  bird  reveals  niiiueidiis  i"d  spots  on  the  internal 
organs  and  especially  on  the  inteslinos.  Tiie  lungs 
are  congested,  .led,  full  of  blood;  (he  liver  is  full  of 
blood  and  somewhat  enlarged,  and  the  blood  itself  is 
dark  and  thick.  The  intestines  sometimes  contain  a 
red  mass  of  clotted  bloo-d. 

Another  disease  that  is  usually  included  with  fowl 
cholera  is  a  form  of  infectious  enteritis  of  chickens, 
which  consists  in  an  inthimmation  of  the  bowels  that  is 
of  a  very  severe  type,  and  causes  death  witliin  one  or 
two  days  after  tlie  beginning  o-f  the  attack.  The  lirst 
symptom  is  diarrhoea,  tliere  is  loss  of  appetite  and  de- 
pression, but  the  torpor  is  not  so  profound  as  in  the 
disease  described  above. 

MoFadyean  has  recently  described  an  outbreak  of 
disease  among  turkeys  that  was  characterized  by  an 
inflammatioi  of  the  lungs  and  pericardium.  The 
symptoms  were  general  stiffness  of  the  neck  and 
limbs,  hanging  of  the  wings  and  tail,  roughness  of  the 
feathers,  ditlficult  breathing,  discliarge  of  frothy  mucous 
from  the  mouth,  diarrhoea,  with  thin,  whitish  or  yel- 
low faeces  and  death.  In  this  outbreak,  a  germ  was 
found  that  was  in  many  respects  similar  to  the  germ 
of  fowl  cholera,  but  presented  points  of  difference  that 
were  suffici(  ntly  well  marked  to  enable  him  to  classify 
it  as  another  organism. 

Eqizootic  dysentery  has  been  discovered  among 
chickens  and  ducks  and  reported  upon  by  veterinarians 
in  a  number  of  places.  The  disease  begins  as  a 
diarrhoea,  usvially  attacking  young  chickens  first. 
There  is  depression,  chilliness,  ruffling  of  the  plumage, 


99 

lo.ss  of  appetite,  j2;i'aduiilly  becuiniui;  more  iuteii.sc  uiilil 
the  animal  dies,  during  the  second  week  of  the  attack. 

All  of  the  above  conditions  are  popularly  known  as 
fowl  cholera,  and,  moreover,  the  term  as  commonly 
used,  undoubtedly  includes  a  number  of  other  diseases 
that  are  not  contagious  at  all.  When  fowls  die  in 
large  nun  bers  it  is  usually  said  that  the  disease  affect- 
ing them  was  fowl  cholera,  although  it  may  have  been 
produced  by  mismanagement  of  almost  any  kind. 

The  treatment  of  individual  fowls  afflicted  with  such 
a  highly  contagious  disease  as  true  fowl  cholera  is  not 
to  be  recommended,  because  in  the  first  place,  so  long 
as  the  infected  fowl  remains  around,  there  is  danger 
that  its  poisonciis  products  may  be  carried  to  healthy 
birds.  Secondly,  there  is  little  chance  of  curing  it 
and  it  is  hardly  worth  while  to  try. 

The  important  point  in  this  connectio-n  is  the  pre- 
vention of  disease,  and  fowl  cholera  can  usually  be  pre- 
vented by  preventing  the  introduction  of  fowls  suffering 
from  it  or  that  come  from  infected  localities.  If  the  dis- 
ease is  once  introduced,  the  most  stringent  measures 
should  be  enforced  as  regards  cleanliness,  disinfection 
and  the  total  destruction  of  the  carcasses  of  the  dead 
birds.  The  birds  that  are  still  healthy  should  be  re- 
moved from  the  flock  and  placed  in  a  wholesome  local- 
ity. The  droppings  from  the  diseased  fowls  should  be 
burned  or  thoroughly  disinfected  by  mixing  with  a  ten 
per  cent,  solution  of  sulphuric  acid  or  with  a  quantity 
of  lime  equal  in  amount  to  the  manure.  Th(^  building 
should  be  disinfected  by  cleaning  it  very  thoroughly, 
flushing  the  Hoor  with  a  saturated  solution  of  copperas 
and  spraying  the  interior  with  a  5  per  cent,  solution 
of  carbolic  arid  followed  by  white-washing.  Tf  the 
pens  and  inns  can  1)0  abandoned  for  a  year  and  grass 


lUU 

j;T()V\n  ill  tlu'iii,  this  is  the  best  plan,  but  if  it  is  not  pos- 
sible to  do  this  they  should  be  cleaned  vvitli  as  great 
thorO'Ughntss  as  possible  and  slacked  lime  scattered 
ovei*  the  surface  of  the  earth,  which  should  be  plowed. 
It  should  be  remembered  that  the  germs  of  fowl- 
cholera  may  be  carried  in  the  feathers,  so  that  a  per- 
fectly healthy  fowl,  coming  from  a  diseased  flock,  may 
carry  the  disease  to  another  flock  a  long  distance  away. 
These  germs  may  also  be  carried  on  the  shoes  and 
clothing  of  persons;  by  vermin,  as  rats  or  mice,  or  they 
may  become  attached  to  light  objects,  such  as  leaves, 
and  be  carried  long  distances  by  the  wind.  If  the  dis- 
ease exists  among  the  fowls  alc'ng  the  water  course, 
those  lo^^er  doA\n  the  stream  may  receive  the  germs 
with  their  water  supj)ly.  So,  whenever  this  disease 
prevails  in  a  locality,  one  cannot  guard  his  fowls  too 
careful  Iv. 


:i.   HLA(MvHKAI)— INFECTIOUS        INTERO  HEPA 
TITIS  OF  TURKEYS. 


The  disease  of  turkeys  po|)ular  known  as  blackhead, 
has  prevailed  for  a  long  time  in  the  New  England 
states  and  particularly  in  Rhode  Island.  Attention 
was  called  to  it  some  few  years  ago  by  Mr.  Samuel 
Cushnian,  an  officer  of  the  Agricultural  Ex])erinient 
Station  of  Rliode  Island,  but  all  of  our  recent  informa- 
tion in  regard  to  bhu'khead  results  from  the  investi- 
gations of  Drs.  Theobald  Smith  and  V.  A.  Moore.* 

The  disease  is  called  ''blackhead"  because  in  same  of 
the  turkevs  afflicted  with  it,  the  comb  and  head  become 


*T^ulletin  No.  1.  Civf-nlar  No.  5,  Bureau  nf  .Animal  Industry,  U. 
S.   Department  of  .Asrioulture. 


101 


dark.  The  desigiicitioii  is  not  a  good  one,  however,  be- 
cause this  discoloration  of  the  liead  may  come  from 
other  causes  than  this  particuhir  disease,  and  some- 
times in  this  disease  the  head  does  not  become  darl^. 
As  yet,  a  good  popular,  descriptive  name  lias  not  been 
suggestd. 

Infectious  entero-hepatitis  is  caused  by  protozoa, 
minute  animal  parasites  so  small  and  simple  that  they 
can  scarcely  be  distinguished  from  some  members  of 
the  vegetable  kingdom. 
These  gain  access  to  the  di- 
gestive tract  of  turkeys  and 
enter  the  caeca,  which  are 
two  prolonged  pouches 
springing  from  the  union  of 
the  small  and  large  intes- 
tines. Within  the  caeca, 
the  protozoa  of  this  disease 
irritate  the  mucous  mem- 
brane and  cause  it  to  be- 
come thickened  and  ulcer- 
ated. The  caeca  also  be- 
come distended  and  some- 
times extraordinarily  large. 
The  protozo<a  penetrate  to 
the  liver  and  cause  there  the 
formation  of  yellowish  spots 
resembling  small  abscesses 
filled  with  cheesy  pus.  This 
appearance  results  from  the 
death  of  localized  areas  of 
liver  tissue.  The  surround 
in<|-  jiarts  of  the  liver  are  full 
of  blood,  and  the  entire  organ  is  considerably  enlarged 


C^CA  OF  Healthy  Turkey. 

The  central  tube  is  the  small  in- 
testine, the  food  passings  down- 
ward in  the  direction  of  the  arrow. 
At  the  junction  of  the  c£Bca  with 
the  intestine,  the  food  is  drawn 
Into  the  ciuca  by  suction.  The 
thickness  of  the  caecal  wall  is 
shown  in  a.  One-half  natural 
size  (Moore). 


102 


Tliese  ar«'  tin-  |>rinci|>al  featurcfs  revc^alcd  l».v  a  post 
inoi'tem  exaiiiiiiatiou.  Thv  syiupluins  are  lather  iii- 
deliiiite  because  the  disease  does  not  follow  a  regular 
course,  so  that  a  slightly  affected  turkey  may  present 
certain  symptoms,  while  one  in  a  more  advanced  stage 
of  the  disease  may  present  entirely  different  symp- 
toms, that  may  be  so  different  from  the  first  that  no 
connection  betvAeen  the  cases  would  be  suspected  by 
an  ordinary  observer.  It 
has  been  noticed  by  those 
who  have  investigated  this 
disease,  that  turkeys  fre- 
quently appear  to  recover 
from  it;  this  is,  after  having 
been  afflicted,  sometimes 
quite  seriously,  they  pick  up 
in  condition  thereafter  and 
apparently  recover,  but  a 
post  mortem  examination  of 
these  fowls  will  show  dis- 
tinct evidence  of  the  disease. 
The  walls  of  the  caecum  are 
still  thickened,  the  spots  in 
the  liver  remain,  and  a  mi 
croscopical  examination  of 
the  contents  of  the  caecum 
reveal  the  living  parasite  of 
the  disease,  so  that  these  ap 
parently  recovered  birds 
continue  as  sources  of  infec 
tion  and  can  convey  the  dis 
ease  to  other  fowls. 

^'onng  turkeys  are  most 


C.4!:cA  OF  Turkey  Showing  Ef- 
fect OF  Protozoan  Disease. 

The  upper  two-thirds  of  one 
Cci'cum  is  affected,  also  an  area,  as 
near  the  union  with  tlie  colon. 
The  other  ciecuin  is  thickened  at 
the  points.  I).  The  thickness  ol 
the  affected  cn-cal  walls  is  shown 
in  section  c.  One-tninl  natural 
size  (Moore I. 


1(K{ 


predisposed  to  tlie  disease.  W'heu  it  is  severe,  they 
lose  condition,  develop  diarrhoea,  become  thin,  weak, 
ragged-looking-,  their  heads  sometimes  become  dark, 
and  they  gradually  die  in  an  emaciated,  exhausted  con- 
dition. The  disease  can  be  recognized  positively  after 
death  by  discovering  the  conditiQns  described  above. 

Blackhead  has  been  discovered  among  turkeys  in 
eastern  New  York,  and  altho-ugh  its  presence  has  not 
been  demonstrated  positively  among  the  turkeys  of 
Pennsylvania,  it  is  quite  pos- 
sible that  it  exists  here  and 
some  outbreaks  of  disease 
that  have  been  described 
closely  resemble  blackhead. 
Our  knowledge  of  this  dis- 
ease is  so  recent  that  as  yet 
it  is  only  possible  to  experi 
ment  with  remedies  with  a 
view  to  curing  the  affection. 
Dr.  Smith  suggests  the  use 
of  quinine  and  it  may  be 
that  salicylate  of  soda,  creoliu  or  calomel  will  prove  ad- 
vantageous, but  as  yet  the  use  of  any  drug  is  purely  ex- 
perimental. 

It  has  been  shown  by  Dr.  Moore's  exeperiments  that 
the  parasite  of  the  disease  exists  in  the  droppings 
from  afflicted  fov^ls,  and  that  it  may  be  transferred  di- 
rectly to  healthy  birds  by  keeping  them  where  these 
droppings  have  been  allowed  to  accumulate.  The  mal- 
ady has  also  been  pro'duced  in  healthy  turkeys  by 
feeding  the  diseased  organs  of  its  victims.  These  in 
vestigation?  are  vein  imi)ortnnt,  b<'cause  they  indicate 
a   menus  of  avoiding  Ihe  s]»i'<'a(l   of  the  dis(>ase.     Old 


Liver  op  Turkey. 

Showing  effect  of  protozoan  dis- 
ease.   One-third  natural  size. 


104 

riii'k«Ms  oil  affected  farms  should  !»<•  disposed  of 
whether  they  appear  to  be  sound  or  not.  The  roci-stin^ 
place  should  be  thoroughly  cleansed,  droppings  should 
be  collected  and  disinfected  and  the  entire  locality 
should  be  disinfected  as  thoroughly  as  possible  by 
spraying  with  carbolic  acid  solution,  saturating  the 
Moors  and  earth  with  saturated  solutions  of  copperas 
and  covering  the  soil  with  lime.  Then,  if  turkey  breed- 
ing is  to  be  contiriued,  fresh  stock  should  be  purchased 
from  regions  where  the  disease  does  not  exist  cr  tur- 
keys should  be  hatched  under  hens  and  in  this  way  the 
nucleus  of  a  new  and  sound  tloek  may  be  acquired. 


4.  TUliERCULOSIS. 


Tuberculosis,  or  consumption,  is  a  very  commo-n  dis 
ease  among  people  and  among  several  species  o-f  our 
domestic  animals,  particularly  cattle  and  swine.  It  is 
also  found,  although  comparatively  rarely,  among 
other  species  of  the  domestic  animals.  In  some  places 
fowls  are  frequently  found  that  are  afflicted  with  this 
disease.  For  a  long  time  it  was  thought  it  might  have 
been  acquired  thi-ough  eating  the  expectorations  of 
tuberculous  animals  or  man,  or  feeding  upon  tuber- 
culous organs  of  slaughtered  animals,  but  recent  in- 
vestigations have  made  it  pi-actically  certain  that  tu- 
berculosis of   fowls  is  not  the  same  disease  as  tuber- 


1 1)5 

cuiosis  of  tlie  hig'lit'i-  aiiinial«,  mid  altluMi^li  these  are 
similai-  it  is  caused  by  a  soniewliat  dili'eieut  germ,  and' 
it  is  not  probable  that  it  is  ever  acquired  from  the 
higher  animals  nor  that  the  higher  auimals  can  acquire 
tuberculosis  from  fowls.  The  principal  symptoms  o-f 
tuberculosis  are  those  of  a  lingering  illness  that  grad 
ually  becomes  more  severe.  Sometimes,  tubercles  ap 
pear  as  hard  and  horny  or  as  soft  and  cheesy  swellings 
on  the  skin  or  about  the  joints.  There  is  wasting,  the 
comb  and  the  membranes  of  the  head  become  pale,  the 
strength  of  the  fowl  is  gradualh'  lost  and  finally  it 
dies,  after  having  shrunken  to  a  mere  mass  of  bones, 
skin  and  feathers. 

After  death,  little  white  or  yellow  tubercles  which 
contain  cheesy  matter  may  be  found  in  the  liver  and 
spleen.  About  half  of  the  fatal  cases  of  tuberculosis 
in  birds  show  tubercles,  which  appear  as  rather  dense 
round  masses,  in  the  walls  of  intestine.  They  may 
also  be  found  in  some  cases  in  the  peritoneum,  the 
membrane  lining  the  abdominal  cavity,  and  in  the 
lungs.  Many  of  the  birds  in  Zo-ological  Gardens  die 
of  tuberculosis,  and  it  is  very  common  among  cage 
birds.  A  number  of  cases  in  parrots  have  been  seen 
at  the  Veterinary  Hospital  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Tuberculosis  of  ])arrC'ts  differs  somewhat 
from  that  of  chickens,  in  that  it  may  be  caused  by  a 
germ  identical  with  that  causing  tuberculosis  of  man, 
and  may  be  derived  from  or  transmitted  to  people.  So 
that  tuberculous  parrots  are  a  menace  to  human 
health. 

There  is  no  cure  for  tuberculosis,  and  the  most  effi 
cient  means  of  {)reventing  it  r-onsists  in  killing  and 
burniiii:'  fovls  that  nia\'  Itc  sntTci-ini;  with  it   .hkI  tlinr 


km; 

(tu.nlily    (lisiiiftM-linj;    llir   iMciiiiscs   prcviniislv    <ic(ii|»i<'(I 
by  tlieiM. 


5.  G()JN(j  LKillT. 


Pigeon  fanciers  spealc  of  a  disease  of  pigeons  Icuowu 
as  "going  light/'  wliicli  means  that  tlie  diseased  1:)ii-ds 
are  becoming  lighter  and  thinner  (W,  in  other  words, 
Avasting  away.  The  designation  is  applied  so  gener- 
ally^ and  loosely  that  it  has  not  been  possible  to  attach 
a  definite  meaning  to  it  or  discover  that  it  relates  to  a 
single  disease.  An  outbreak  of  disease  among  pigeons 
has  been  studied  by  l>r.  Moore,  who  found  tliat  a  rather 
chionic  wasting  disease  was  })roduced  by  a  germ  that 
in  some  respects  resembled  th(;  germ  that  causes  hog 
cholera.  "Going  light"  might  be  defined  in  many  cases 
as  a  chronic,  wasting  disease  of  pigeons,  that  is  due  to 
a  cause  that  is  rji-kcown,  but  which  is  probably  of  an 
infectious  nature.  In  some  O'f  the  outbrealvS,  the  dis- 
ease runs  a  much  moie  rapid  course  than  in  others, 
and  causes  death  witliin  a  few  days.  In  other  cases, 
its  course  is  quite  prolonged  and  the  bird  sometimes 
recovers.  If  treatment  is  employed  it  should  consist 
in  i:he  administratJon  of  general  tonics,  such  as  qui- 
nine, in  one  grain  doses  twice  a  day;  cod  liver  oil,  one- 
half  teaspoonful,  3  or  4  times  daily;  reduced  iron  in  the 
food.  Warm,  well  ventilated,  comfortable  surround 
ings.  and  noui'ishing  and  attractive  food  must  be  jtro 
vid^^d.     The  pig<'(in  loft  slionld  be  thoroughly  r-leaiiscd 


]{)7 

iiiid  disinfected  in  reference  to  this  affection,  and  if 
pigeon  fanciers  will  notify  the  State  Veterinarian 
when  ontbreaivs  appear  they  will  be  investigated  with 
a  view  of  discovering  the  exact  cause  and  the  measures 
to  be  taken  to  cure  or  pievent  it. 


108 


DESCRIPTION    OP    OPPOSITE    PLATE. 

Prom  A  to  B,  cervical  vertebrae.  1,  spinous  process  of  the 
third  vertebra;  2,  inferior  ridge  on  body  of  the  same; 
3,  styloid  prolongation  of  the  transverse  process  of  the 
same;  4  vertebral  foramen  of  the  same;  1',  2',  3/, 
4',  the  same  parts  in  the  twelfth  vertebra.  From  B  to  C,  dor- 
sal vertebrae;  6,  spinous  process  of  the  first;  7,  crest  formed  by 
the  union  of  the  other  spinous  processes.  Prom  D  to  E,  coccy- 
geal vertebrae.  F,  G,  head;  8,  interorbital  septum;  9,  foramen 
of  communication  between  the  two  orbits;  10,  premaxillary 
bone;  lO',  external  openings  of  the  nose;  11,  maxilla;  12,  os 
quadra tum;  13,  malar  bone;  H,  sternum;  14,  brisket  or  keel; 
15,  episternal  process;  16,  internal  lateral  process;  17,  lateral 
external  process;  18,  membrane  which  closes  the  internal  notch; 
19,  membrane  of  the  external  notch.  I,  etc.,  superior  ribs,  20, 
posterior  process  of  the  fifth;  J,  inferior  ribs;  K,  scapula;  L, 
Coracoid  bone;  M,  forculum — m,  m,  its  two  branches;  N,  hum- 
erus; O,  ulna — o,  radius;  P,  P',  bones  of  carpus;  Q.  Q',  bones 
of  metacarpus;  R,  first  phalanx  of  the  large  diget  of  the  wing. 
r,  second  phalanx  of  the  same;  R,  phalanx  of  thumb;  S,  ilium, 
s'.  ischium,  s",  pubis,  21,  sciatic  foramen,  22,  foramen  ovale; 
T.  femur;  U,  patella;  V.  tibia,  x,  fibula,  y.  single  bone  of  tarsus; 

Y.  metatarsus.  23.  superior  process  represpnting  a  unitf^d 
metatarsal  bone;  24,  process  supporting  the  claw;  z,  etc..  digits. 
— Chauveau. 


SKFLKTON    OF   A    FOWL, 
(109) 


no 


DESCRIPTION    OF    OPPOSITE    PLATE. 

The  abdominal  muscles  have  been  removed,  as  well  as  the 
sternum,  heart,  trachea,  the  greater  portion  of  the  neck,  and 
all  the  head  except  the  lower  jaw,  which  has  been  turned  aside 
to  show  the  tongue,  the  pharnynx  and  the  entrance  to  the 
larynx.  The  left  lobe  of  the  liver,  succentric  ventricle,  gizzard 
and  intestinal  mass,  have  been  pushed  to  the  right  to  exhibit 
the  different  portions  of  the  alimentary  canal  and  to  expose 
the  ovary  and  oviduct. 

1,  tongue;  2,  pharynx;  3,  first  portion  of  the  oesophagus;  4, 
crop;  5,  second  portion  of  the  oesophagus;  6,  succentric  ven- 
tricle; 7,  gizzard;  8,  origin  of  the  duodenum;  9,  first  branch  of 
the  duodenal  flexture;  10,  second  branch  of  the  same;  11,  origin 
of  the  floating  portion  of  the  small  intestine;  12,  small  intestine; 
12',  terminal  portion  of  this  intestine,  flanked  on  each  side  by 
the  two  caeca;  13,  free  extremities  of  the  caeca;  14,  insertion  of 
these  two  organs  into  the  intestinal  tube;  15,  rectum;  16,  cloaca; 
17,  anus;  18,  mesentary;  19,  left  lobe  of  the  liver;  20,  right  lobe; 
21,  gall-bladder;  22.  insertion  of  the  pancreatic  and  biliary 
ducts;  23,  pancreas;  24,  lung;  25.  ovary  (in  a  state  of  atrophy); 
26,  oviduct. — Chauveau. 


GENERAL    VIEW    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    APPARATl'S    OF 
A  FOWL. 


(Ill) 


(112) 


INDEX. 


A. 

Page. 

Air-sac    mites 45 

Appetite,   loss  of,    ^^ 

Arsenical    poisoning' 68 

B. 

Bird-ticks 26 

Blackheads,     100 

Body-mang-e 28 

Bones,  diseases  of  the,    89 

Brain,    congestion    of   the 78 

diseases    of   the 78 

Bronchitis 49 

Bumblefoot 8« 

C. 

Catarrh  of  the  crop,    61 

nasal   passages 48 

Causes  of  disease  10 

Cholera,     96 

Constipation 67 

Contagious   diseases 91 

Corns 8!i 

Correspondence  with  the  State  Veterinarian 14 

Crop,  obstruction  of  the 62 

D. 

Diarrhoea 65 

Digestive  canal,  irritation  of  the 6fi 

organs   of  the 52 

Diphtheria. 91 

Disinfection 15 

Dropsj- 7(1 

Dysentery,   contagious 97 

(  1 1 :;  I 

8--T 


lU 

E. 

Page. 

Egg    bound 74 

contamination    of    the 72 

development  of  the,    72 

eating 80 

producing  organs,    diseases  of   the,    72 

Eggs,    malformed 73 

parasites  and  foreign  bodies  in 72 

Epilepsy,     78 

Eye,   diseases  of  the 78 

inflammation    of    the 81 

Eyelids,  tumors  of  the 81 

F. 

Pa,vus 34 

Feather-eating 79 

Feet,    diseases    of    the,     83 

Fleas 17 

Fractures 90 

Freezing 88 

G. 

Gapes 40 

General  treatment  of  sick  fowls 10 

Going  light 106 

Gout 87 

I. 

Indigestion,  simple 64 

Inflammation  of  the  skin, 37 

Irritation   of   the   skin 36 

J. 

Jaundice,    70 

L. 

Laryngitis 49 

Legs,   diseases  of  the 85 

scaly 8" 

and  feet,    mange  of  the 83 

Letter   of   transmittal 5 

Lice,    18 

Tjosses   of  poultry   annually 9-112 

Lung   fever 50 


115 

M. 

Page. 

Mange, 128 

Medication 14 

Mites 24 

Moulting,    disturbed 37 

O. 

Oviduct,    prolapsus   of 76 

inflammation    of 7i> 

P. 

Pearson,   Leonard,   Report  of 9 

Pip 48 

Pneumonia 50 

caused   by    moulds, 46 

Poisoning 6S 

Post-mortem    examinations 13 

Preface,    ., T 

Protozoa 32 

R- 

Respiratory  organs,   diseases  of  the 40 

Rickets,     89 

Round    worms 59 

Roup,    91 

Rump    gland    obstruction 39 

S. 

Salt    poisoning 69 

Scaly   legs 83 

Skin,  diseases  of  the 17 

irritation   of    the 36 

Sore  throat 49 

Statistics 9 

Sucking    worms 5S 

Symptoms   of   disease 11 

T. 

Tape  worm 53 

Ticks 24 

Tuberculosis,     lol 

Turkey    dlseas^o,     1 00 


IKi 


U. 

Page. 
Unknown    diseases 20 

V. 
Vomiting 61 

W 
Warts,    32 

Y. 

Yellows .70 


PART    11 


Enemies  of  Poultry. 


BIRDS  OF  PREY,  OR  THE  BUZZA.RDS,   EAGLEvS,   HAWKS 
AND  OWLS. 


CROWS,  JAYS  AND    RAVENS   THAT    DEVOUR    POULTRY 
AND  DESTROY  EGGS. 


FOXES.   WILD    CATS,     MINKS,    WEASELS    AND    OTHER 

MAMMALS    WHICH    FEED    ON     DOMESTICATED 

FOWLS,    WILD    BIRDS   AND    EGGS. 


SOME    FISHES    THAT    PREY    ON    DUCKS    AND    OTHER 
FEATHERED  SPECIES. 


LOCALITIES    WHERE   MANY    OF   THESE  ANIMALS   CAN- 
BE  FOUND. 


TAPEWORMS    OF    POULTRY    AND    THE    DESTRUCTION 
OF  NOXIOUS  ANIMALS. 


By  B.    H.  warren,  M.  D., 

'/.oologiil  Pennsylvania  Department  of  Agriculture ;  Ornithologist  Pennsylvania 
State  Horticultural  Society;  Associate  Member  American  Ornithologist' i 
Union;  Corresponding  Member  of  the  Linn^eati  Society  of  Ne7i>  York  Citv  ; 
Author  of  the  Birds  of  Pennsylvania,  etc. 


[Published  by  Authority  of  the  L-egisfature.') 
ILL  US  7  RA  TED. 


SUMMARY  OF  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

MISCBLiiANEOUS  INTRODUCTORY  NOTES. 

The  Value  of  Pennsylvania's  Poultry— The  Value  of 
Fowls  and  Eggs  In  the  United  States— Loss  in  Penn- 
sylvania from  Predatory  Animals — Trap  or  Shoot  the 
Troublesome  Hawks — Keep  Your  Eye  on  the  Crow — 
Herons,  Blackbirds  and  Jays — The  Jays — The  Jay 
Killed  Bii'ds  and  Squirrel — Jays  are  Notorious  Nest 
Robbers— Save  the  Birds— 20,000  Birds  in  Four  Years— 
A  Protest  from  the  Bay  State— Save  our  Song'  Birds— 
The  Snarer  in  Evidence  in  Pennsylvania — Bird  Butch- 
ery in  Pike  County — Bird  Exterminators  in  Nebraska 
and  Georgia — Passing  of  Familiar  Birds — The  Pennsyl- 
vaniaAudubon  Society — Insect  Ravages — Pennsylvania 
Loses  $5,000,000  a  Year— The  Loss  in  Other  States- 
Tree  Inhabiting  Insect  Pests — ^Birds  and  Mammals  as  a 
Class  are  Beneficial — The  Snapper  and  a  Brood  of 
Ducks — Odd  Traits  of  Animal  Character — Fishes  that 
Catch  Ducks  and  Birds — Mud  Hens  are  Caught — The 
Voracious  Pike — A  Red  Squirrel,  Sparrow  and  Hungry 
Chub — Forest  Fires  and  Wild  Animals — Forest  Fires 
Increasing — Serious  Loss  in  1S95 — Of  Great  Interest  to 
Farmers  and  Sportsmen — Great  Destruction  of  Wild 
Animals — Locomotives  Not  the  Chief  Cause  of  Forest 
Fires — Railroads  Adopt  the  Best  Preventives  Known — 
A  Common  Cause  of  Forest  Fires — Careless  Sports- 
men— For  the  Commonwealth's  Weal— Will  Suffer  for 
our  Blunders— Turkey  Buzzards  Slain— Nighthawks 
and  Whip-poor-wills  Killed— Shrikes  and  Weasels- 
Contains  an  Abundance  of  Instructive  Data— Foolish 
and  Expensive  Legislation— A  Serious  Blunder— Don't 
Advocate  Unwise  Bounty  Acts — Birds  of  Prey  as  a 
Class   Beneficial— Only   Five  Were   Detrimental   Spe — 

(III) 


olfs — iNailed  on  Barns— Other  Birds,  Etc.— Increase  of 
Destructive  Rodents— Vultures,  Eagles,  Hawks  and 
Owls— The  Buzzards,  Eagles  and  Hawks— The  Owls- 
Public  Sentiment  in  Favor  of  Bounties— Reports  of 
Counties — They  Favor  Killing  all  Hawks  and  Owls — 
Start  a  Campaign  of  Popular  Education— No  More 
Chickens'   Heads  for  Hawks',  pages   1-48 

CHAPTER  11. 

TESTIMONY  FROM  FUIvLY  ONE  THOUSAND  OBSERVERS 
General  Remarte — ^What  Farmers  say  about  the  Loss 
of  Poultry — Estimates  of  Damage  by  Hawks,  Owls  and 
Mammals — Adams  County — Allegheny  County — Arm- 
strong County — Beaver  County — Bedford  County- 
Berks  County — Blair  County — Bradford  County — 'Bucks 
County — Butler  County — Cambria  County — Carbon 
County — Centre  County — Chester  County — Clarion 
County — ^Clearfield  County — Clinton  County — Columbia 
County— Crawford  County — Cumberland  County — Elk 
County — Erie  County — ^Fayette  County — Forest 
County — Franklin  County — Fulton  County — Greene 
County — Huntingdon  County — Jefferson  County — Juni- 
ata County — Lackawanna  County — ^Lawrence  County — 
Lancaster  County — Lebanon  County — Lehigh  County— 
Luzerne  County — Lycoming  County — McKean  County- 
Mercer  County — Mifflin  County — Monroe  County- 
Montgomery  County — Montour  County — Northampton 
County — Northumberland  County — Perry  County — 
Philadelphia  County — Pike  County — ^Potter  County— 
Schuj'Ikill  County — Snyder  County— Somerset  County- 
Sullivan  County— Susquehanna  County— Tioga 
County— Union  County— Venango  County— Warren 
County— Washington  County— Wayne  County— West- 
moreland County— Wyoming  County — York  County- 
Other  States — Observations  of  Farmers  and  Sports- 
men—What Farmers  say  of  the  Crow— Other  States, 
pages 49-13ri 

CHAPTER  HT. 

BIRDS  OF  PREY. 
American    Vultures — Turkey    Vulture — Devoured    Grass- 
hoppers  and    Beetles — A    useful    Bird    to    Mankind — Its 
Distribution    in    Pennsylvania — Us    Northern    Breeding 


V 

Limit — Blacl<  Vulture— Feeds  on  Carrion,  Not  Poultry — 
Well  Treated  in  the  South — Hawks,  Falcons  and 
Eagles — A  Valuable  Group  of  Hawks— Detrimental 
Species— The  Cooper's  Hawk — But  Few  Insects — The 
Goshawk — Swallow-Tailed  Kite — Does  not  Molest 
Poultry — Viiews  of  Various  Writers — The  Nest  and 
Eggs— Its  Flight  Easy  and  Graceful — Mississippi  Kite- 
Feeds  on  Insects — The  Nest  and  Eggs — Not  a  Shy 
Bird — Marsh  Hawk— The  Nest  and  Eggs— Feeds  on 
Mice — What  Various  Writers  Say — Feeds  on  Reptiles 
and  Insects— Protects  the  Crops^A  Priend  of  the 
Farmer — Sharp-Shinned  Hawk — The  Nest  and  Eggs — 
Fond  of  Poultry  and  Song  Birds — Kills  Game  Birds — 
Some  Small  Birds  it  Devours — 'Cooper's  Hawk — The 
Nest  and  Eggs — An  Audacious  Poultry  Thief — A  bold 
Act — A  Mixed  Diet — Destroys  Quail — ^Feeds  on  Domes- 
tic Pigeons — Kills  Grouse  and  Other  Game — Birds — 
Mammals — At  Least  One  Good  Trait — Goshawk — 
Breeds  in  Sullivan  County — Goshawks  and  Wild 
Pigeons — What  Goshawks  Prey  Upon — The  Destruction 
of  Poultry — An  Enemy  of  the  Wild  Fowl — A  Successful 
Grouse  Hunter — Ptarmigans  are  Easy  Prey — Red- 
tailed  Hawk — They  Battle  in  Mid-air — Handle  a 
Wounded  Hawk  Carefully — ^When  Red-tails  were  abun- 
dant— Mice  Destroyed  the  Grape  Vines — The  Nest  and 
Eggs — How  they  Catch  Squirrels — Will  Take  Chick- 
ens— Red-tails  are  Good  Mousers — Red-Shouldered 
Hawks — The  Nest  and  Eggs — Does  Not  Prey  on  Chick- 
ents — Eats  Frogs  and  Insects — Broad-winged  Hawk — 
The  Nest  and  Eggs — Is  an  Unsuspicious  Bird — Food 
of  the  Broad-wing — What  Other  Writers  Say  about 
its  Food — Rough-Legged  Hawk — An  Error  Corrected — 
Subsists  Mainly  on  Field  Mice — Destroys  Enemies  of 
the  Orchard — Golden  Eagle — The  Golden  Eagle  as  a 
Pet — He  Devoured  Thomas  Cats — Would  Seize  Grim- 
alkin by  Neck  and  Back — Food  of  the  Golden  Eagle- 
Eagles  Destroy  Many  Lambs— Adult  Deer  Attacked — 
Bald  Eagle— The  Nest  and  Eggs— The  Bald  Eagle  and 
Osprey — Sometimes  Fishes  for  Himself— Kills  Pigs  and 
Lambs— How  they  Capture  Geese — Will  Sometimes  At- 
tack Mankind — Destroys  Poultry  and  Game — Duck 
Hawk — The  Nest  and  Eggs — Kills  Domestic  Fowls — 
Played  Havoc  With  Terns— Kills  Wild  Fowls— They 
Prey  on  Birds — Devours  Many  Beneficial  Birds — Views 
of  Different  Writers — Sparmw   Hawk — Xfst.    Kggs  and 

A  *  T 


VI 

Young— Protect  the  Sparrow  Hawk— What  Other 
Writers  Have  Observed— Grasshoppers  a  Favorite 
Food— Feed  Mainly  on  Mice  and  Insects— Fish  Hawk— 
The  Nest  and  Eggs— A  Good  Fisherman— They  Live  on 
Fish— The  Owls— Mice  Devouring  Species— The  Barred 
or  "Rain"  Owl— Prefer  to  Kill  Their  Own  Food— Barn 
Owl— The  Nest  and  Eggs— Feeds  on  Mice— Short  Eared 
Owl— Killed  to  Satisfy  Vanity— They  Devour  Legions 
of  Noxious  Rodents— Long-Eared  Owl— Desirable  Visi- 
tors—The Nest  and  Eggs— A  Beneficial  Species— What 
Different  Writers  say  of  its  Food— Barred  Owl— The 
Nest  and  Eggs— Mice  and  Small  Game— Feeds  on 
Fishes— Great  Gray  Owl— Its  Dietary— Acadian  Owl- 
Hides  in  Rocky  Places— The  Nest  and  Eggs— They 
Lived  in  Harmony— 'Screech  Owl— AS  a  Pet— Facts 
About  its  Habits— Fixing  Breeding  Places  for  Owls- 
Eats  Beetles  and  Grasshoppers— Kills  the  Feathered 
Prize-Fighters— Great  Horned  Owl— The  Nest  and 
Eggs— Its  Flight  and  Weird  Notes— What  They  Live 
Upon— Snowy  Owl— Its  Manner  of  Hunting— Hawk 
Owl— Its  Food  and  Habits,  pages 136-2r): 

CHAPTER  IV. 

SOME  OTHER  BIRDS. 

The  Raven— A  Wary  Poultry  Thief— They  Destroy  Eggs 
and  Nestlings— Capture  Rabbits  and  Grouse — Will 
Speak  as  they  Pass  by — Attack  Lambs  and  Fawns — 
Ravens  a  Quarter  of  a  Century  Ago— Would  Attack  the 
Deer — Reliable  Informants — Are  Enemies  of  Small 
Birds— They  Consume  Many  Insects— Eat  Berries, 
Nuts,  Frogs  and  Snakes — They  Sometimes  Prefer 
Carrion — The  Fish  Crow— The  Common  Crow— What  the 
Crow  is  Charged  with — Results  of  Critical  Analyses — 
Do  Trivial  Damage  to  Fruit — ^Devour  Legions  of  Bee- 
tles and  Grasshoppers — The  Crow  Destroys  Army 
Worms — Crows  and  Blackbirds — Farmers  Praised 
Them— Some  Bad  Habits— They  Eat  Grubs  and 
"Bugs" — Sometimes  Steal  the  Corn — They  Devour  Eggs 
and  Nestlings— The  Jays — The  Blue  Jay — Distribution — 
Sometimes  Seen  in  Flocks — Its  Economic  Relations — 
Mr.  Beale's  Summary  of  its  Food — ^TV^hat  Audubon 
Learned — He  Hunts  Methodically — Why  Do  They  Do 
This? — They    Know    Their     Enemies — Is     Mr.     Jay     a 


VII 

Feathered  Jekyl  and  Hyde?— More  "Like  His  Dad 
Every  Day" — They  Are  Omnivorous— Shrikes  or 
Butcher-Birds— The  Northern  Shrike— An  Improper 
Name— A  Beneficial  Species— The  Loggerhead  Shrike— 
A  Summer  Bird  Here — Feeds  on  Insects— Sometimes 
Try  to  Kill  Chicks— Northern  Raven— 'Must  Watch  the 
Fox— The  Nest  and  Eggs— They  Raise  One  Brood— Like 
One  Nesting  Place— Left  in  Sorrow  and  Disgust— 
"Quoth  the  Raven,  Nevermore"— Its  Distribution  in 
Pennsylvania— Common  Crow— The  Nest  and  Eggs- 
Will  Eat  Eggs  and  Poultry— Fish  Crow— Breeds  Near 
Philadelphia— Will  Take  Ducklings— What  Audubon 
Says  of  Its  Food— Blue  Jay— The  Nest  and  Eggs— Suck 
Hens'  Eggs  and  Kill  Birds— What  A  Massachusetts 
Naturalist  Says— Statements  from  Other  Observ- 
ers—Its Vegetable  Food— The  Shrikes— Great  North- 
ern Shrike— Loggerhead  Shrike— The  Nest,  Eggs  and 
Young— They  Squeak  Like  Mice— Where  They  Watch  for 
Prey — The  White-rumped  Shrike— Blackbirds— Com- 
mon Crow  Blackbird—Lead  A  Nomadic  Life— The  Nest 
and  Eggs— Select  Different  Nesting  Sites— Food— They 
Hunt  Beetles  and  Grubs— They  Eat  Some  Fruit— A 
Thousand  Stomachs  Examined— They  are  Fond  of 
Larvae — They  Catch  Grasshoppers— Will  Eat  Wheat, 
Oats  and  Corn— Will  Eat  Birds  and  Eggs— They 
Sometimes  Eat  Fish — The  Bronzed  Blackbird— The 
Herons  and  Bitterns— Great  Blue  Heron— The  Nest  and 
Eggs — Dangerous  When  Wounded — Its  Flesh  is  Quite 
Palatable— What  Nuttall  Says  of  its  Habits — Green 
Heron — The  Nest  and  Eggs— Eats  Fish,  Insects.  Frogs. 
Etc. — Stomach  Examinations — Black-crowned  Night 
Herons — They  Breed  in  Colonies — Fond  of  Goldfish — 
They  Subsist  mainly  on  Fish — American  Bittern — Has 
a  Loud  Voice — The  Nest  and  Eggs — Its  Food,  pages,..  254-316 

CHAPTER  V. 

MAMMALS. 

'New  Faces  Will  Meet  us" — Valuable  Fur-Bearing 
Species — Disturbing  Nature's  Balance — Great  Errors — 
Insectivorous  Birds  Driven  Away — Has  Agriculture 
Profited? — Danger  of  Importing  Foreign  Species — 
Some  Troublesome  Pests — Mother  Eve  and  Her  Suc- 
cessors— Expert    in    Eluding     Observation — Some     are 


vm 

Sound  Sleepers— Abundance  of  Sunie  Mammals — The 
Work  of  Two  Trappers— A  Wyoming  County  Trapper- 
Reports  from  Some  Fur  Dealers — Mr.  Lewis,  of  Jeffer- 
son County — Messrs.  Jordan  and  Son,  of  Luzerne 
County — Messrs.  Weil,  of  Chester  County— Skunks- 
Some  of  its  Common  Names— Some  of  its  Enemies — 
They  Do  Much  Good— Sportsmen  Generally  despise 
iSkunks — Dr.  Merriam's  Observations — Sometimes  Dis- 
tresses Other  Night  Travellers — Interesting  and  Valua- 
ble Contributions — The  Sneaking  Cat  and  Cunning 
Hat — They  Catch  Beneficial  Insects — These  Farmers 
Defend  Skunks — Skunk  Farming — The  Farm — Their 
Food — Their  Nests — In  Slaughtering  Season — What 
Farmers,  Poulterers  and  Sportsmen  say  About 
Skunks — Reports  by  Counties — Red  Squirrel — Albin- 
ism— His  Last  Chicken — Destroys  Many  Birds — Addi- 
tional Evidence  Against  Him — Some  of  His  Pursu- 
ers— Additional  Facts  of  His  Life  History — Some- 
times Active  at  Night — He  seeks  the  Fence  Rails — 
Keeps  Just  Out  of  Reach — The  Gray  Squirrel's  Foe — 
Opossum — Why  De  Ha'r  Is  Missin' — 3,500  a  year  in 
Chester  County — May  Eventually  Get  to  Klondike — A 
Night  Prowler — Its  Nest — Hunts  A  Tree  when  Pur- 
sued— A  Veritable  Curiosity — ^Wise  Provisions  of  Na- 
ture— A  Prolific  and  Rapid  Breeder — An  Omnivorous 
Animal — Some  of  its  Enemies — Red  Fox — Plentiful  in 
Many  Farming  Districts — Some  Hunters  Worried — 
Some  Things  They  Did — A  Diversion  Enjoyed  by 
Many — They  Say  He  Does  Much  Good — Sheep-killing 
Dogs  and  Foxes — Some  of  His  Numerous  Victims — 
Some  Animals  Foxes  Kill — Birds — Mammals — Foxes 
Love  Lamb  Chops  and  Pork — Where  Pheasants 
Thrived— Foxes  Did  It— Talked  About  Foxes  and  Got 
Some  Votes — The  Weasels — Good  Foxes  Are  Dead 
Foxes— They  Couldn't  Understand  Valuable  Informa- 
tion— Andy,  it  was  Strychnine  not  Disease — Birds  In- 
creased— How  to  Fix  Them — What  a  Chester  County 
Farmer  Believes — Hawks  and  Owls — Weasels,  Skunks 
and  Mink — The  Fox  a  Terror — Everybody  Killed 
Foxes  Then — He  Plead  and  Almost  Cried  For  Foxes- 
Hounds  and  a  Bobtailed  Horse — How  He  Behave? 
Across  the  Ocean— They  Do  Far  More  Harm  Than 
Good— What  Farmers.  Poultry  Raisers  and  Sportsmen 
Say  about  Red  and  Gray  Foxes — Gray  Fox— He  Circled 
and  Turned  in  and  Out— Rare.  If  Found  .At  AH  In  Some 


IX 

Counties— They  Take  to  Trees— He  Loves  the  Wood 
and  Underbrush— What  Gray  Foxes  Live  Upon— Com- 
mon Weasel— Its  Many  Names— The  Image  of  a  Ser- 
pent—Two Species— The  Least  Weasel— They  Change 
Their  Coats— Hunts  His  Prey  By  Scent— Destroys  Poul- 
try—His Food— Feeds  on  Rats  and  Mice — A  Rabbit 
Hunter— He  is  Well  Acquainted  With  Weasels— He 
Kills  But  Don't  Disfigure— A  Very  Restless  Animal— 
Where  He  Prefers  to  Live— Will  Suck  Its  Own  Blood- 
Will  Help  Each  Other  Out  of  Traps— Attacked  this 
Bunny  in  the  Rear— The  Young— They  Have  Many 
Changes  of  Dress — Destroys  Great  Numbers  of  Young 
Grouse — Kills  all  the  Quail — The  Weasel  Pulled  and  I 
Pulled — What  Farmers  and  Poultry  Raisers  Say — 
Food  of  Weasels — Wildcat — A  Variety  of  Common 
Names — Acquire  More  Knowledge — The  Wildcat's  Fav- 
orite Haunts — W^ildcats  Increasing  in  Some  Places — 
They  Pursue  and  Kill  Deer — ^Many  Kinds  of  Birds 
Slain — Mammals,  Eggs,  etc,  are  Devoured — Hunts  the 
Quillful  Porcupine — ^Methods  of  Catching  Game — 
Cowardly  Animals — Treed  Her  Lover — ^Where  the 
Young  Are  Found— What  Farmers  and  Hunters  Tell 
of  Them — Mink — Fond  of  Brook  Trout — Chickens 
and  Ducks  are  Favorite  Food — Kill  Pheasants,  Quail 
and  Rabbits — A  Muscular  Animal — Fish  Oil  Allures  the 
Mink — The  Mink  as  a  Destroyer  of  Poultry  and 
Game — Additional  Notes  on  Food  of  Minks — The  Mink 
as  a  Fisherman — Raccoon — A  Poultry  Thief — Feasts  on 
Corn — As  a  Fisherman — Feeds  on  Birds'  Eggs — An 
Enjoyable  Recreation — Hunted  for  Both  Flesh  and 
Fur — What  Farmers  and  Sportsmen  Say  About  Rac- 
coons,   pages,    317-484 

CHAPTER  VI. 

LOCALITIES    W^HERE    POULTRY-DESTROYING    ANIMALS; 
ARE  FOUND. 

Miscellaneous  Introductory  Notes — A  Convenient  Class- 
ification—A Grand  Field  for  Scientific  Research— 
The  Mecca  of  Naturalists — Over  SOO  Kinds  of  Birds- 
Species  New  to  Science — Fine  Territory  in  Winter — 
Winter  Birds— Some  Animals  Which  Have  Been  Ex- 
terminated— When  The  Flint  Lock  Was  Employer! — 
Killed  Forty  Deer  in  a  Day— A  Menance  to  Life  and 


Property— Hunted  with  Flails  and  Pitchforks— Col. 
Stevens'  Famous  Hunt— "Things  are  Different  Now"— 
Many  Yet  Remain— Fifty  Species  of  Mammals— Some 
That  Have  Gone— The  Last  Elk— The  Beaver— Beav- 
ers in  Old  Virginia— The  American  Wolf— Wolves  in 
Tioga  County— Should  Such  Practices  Exist?— Wolves 
Were  Bad  Neighbors— A  Terror  to  Sheep  Owners— Fol- 
lowed Human  Beings— A  Doctor's  Terrible  Exper- 
ience—Wolves on  His  Trail— A  Desperate  Battle  on  the 
Rocks— Ammonia  Saved"  Him— The  Panther— Romanc- 
ing Scribes— Species  Which  are  Rare— The  Pine  Mar- 
ten—The Wild  Pigeon— The  Squirrels— Eat  Eggs,  Birds, 
Ducks  and  Chickens— The  Fox  Squirrel— Where 
Found  in  Pennsylvania— The  Chickaree — The  "Rab- 
bits" or  Hares— "Cottontails" — Don't  Use  Snares 
or  Ferrets— Foxes — The  Wildcat— The  Raccoon— The 
Otter— The  Virginia  Deer— With  Proper  State  Aid 
Deer  Will  Increase— The  Black  Bear— The  Bat's  Win- 
ter Home— The  Opossum— The  Porcupine — The  Musk- 
rat— The^  Chipmunk  or  Ground  Hackey— Rats  Galore— 
The  Cave  Rat— The  Flying  Squirrel— Skunks— The 
Most  Useful  Mammals— They  Do  Good  Service— Let 
the  Millionaire  Help  the  Poor — The  Woodchuck — What 
a  Practical  Farmer  Wrote— They  are  Good  for  Food— 
The  Mice— Mice,  Hawks  and  Owls— Fishes— Eastern 
Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  and  the  Delaware  and 
Virginia  Peninsula — Principal  Kinds  of  Game^Mam- 
mals — Birds — Principal  Kinds  of  Fish — Salt  Water — 
Fresh  Water — Rabbits— Squirrels — Raccoons — Foxes — 
Deer — Birds — Quail — Wild  Ducks — Pheasants— Reed 

Birds — Snipe — Rail  Birds — Woodcock — Geese — Doves — 
Plover — Marsh  Hens — Fish — Salt  Water  Fishing — 
Fresh  Water  Fishing — Bass — Perch — Pike — Trout — 
Carp — Catfish — Rock  Fish — Sun  Fish— Central  Pennsyl- 
vania, West  of  the  Susquehanna  River  and  Its  Tribu- 
taries, and  East  of  the  Summit  of  the  Alleghenies — 
Principal  Kinds  of  Game — Mammals— Birds — Principal 
Kinds  of  Fish — Fresh  Water — Rabbits — Deer — Squir- 
rels— Bears — Foxes  —  Raccoons — Wildcats — Pheasants — 
Quail — Wild  Turkeys— Ducks — Woodcock — Geese — Rail 
Birds— Snipe— Reed  Birds— Fish— Brook  Trout— Bass- 
Carp— Perch— Pike— Salmon— Rock  Fish— Sun  Fish- 
Catfish — Western  Pennsylvania,  West  of  the  Sum- 
mit of  the  Allegheny  Mountains— Principal  Kinds  of 
Game — Mammals— Rabbits — Foxes — Squirrels  —  Deer — 


XI 

Bears— Birds— Pheasants— Quail— Wi  Id  Turkeys  — 
Ducks— Principal  Kinds  of  Fish— Trout— Bass- 
Salmon— Carp— Perch— Pike— Rock  Fish— Cat  Fish, 
pages,     


485-548 


CHAPTER  VII. 

TAPEWORMS   OF  POULTRY. 

A  Report  upon  the  Present  Knowledge  of  Tapeworms 
of  Poultry— General  Discussion— Table  of  Tapeworms 
Recorded  for  Poultry — Life  History  and  Source  of  In- 
fection—The Relation  of  the  Tapeworms  of  Wild 
Birds  to  Those  of  the  Domesticated  Fowls — Symptoms 
and  Pathology — Tapeworm-Infected  Fowls  as  Food — 
Prevention — Treatment — ^Classification — Analytical  Key 
to  Families  and  Genera — ^Family  Bothriocephalidae — 
Subfamily  Bothriocephalinae — Genus  Bothriocapha- 
!up — ^Bertken's  Pigeon  Bothriocephalus — Genus  Both- 
riotaenia — ^Subfamily  Ligulinae — Genus  Ligula — Family 
Taeniidae— Subfamily  Mesccestoidinae — Genus  Mesoc- 
estoides — Subfamily  Dipylidiinae — Genus  Amabilia — 
Genus  Hymenolepis — Genus  Dicranotaenia — Genus 
Dicranotaenia— Genus  Davainea — Genus  Echinoco- 
tyle — Genus  Ophryocotyle — ^Idiogenes — Addendum — 

Explanation  of  Chart — Description  of  Plates,  pages,   . .   549-657 

CHAPTER  VTII. 

SOME   EGGS. 
Plate  I— Plate  II— Plate  III— Plate  IV— Plate  V,  pages...  658-659 

CHAPTER  IX. 

THE    DESTRUCTION    OF   NOXIOUS    ANIMALS. 

General  Remarks — Some  Bounty  Records — The  Bounty 
Act  of  1885 — Scientific  Men  Protected— Others  Lab- 
ored to  Repeal  It — Their  Efforts  Were  Successful — 
Why  it  Should  be  Repealed— Why  the  Act  Should  Not 
Be  Repealed — ^Where  Skunks  Were  Paid  For—  A  Few 
Wolves — Crawford's  Enormous  Outlay — Official  Re- 
ports of  Animals  Killed  in  Different  Counties — The 
Scalp  Act  of  1897— An  Act— Methods  of  Capturing 
Birds  of  Prey— Shooting— The  Grass  Suit — When  Snow 


XII 

Covers  the  Ground— Shooting  Hawks  from  Blinds- 
Shooting-  Hawks  at  Iloosts— Trapping  Birds  of  Prey- 
Methods  of  Capturing  Mammals— To  Trap  a  Wild- 
cat—To Catch  a  Mink— How  to  Trap  and  Kill  Wea- 
sels—How to  Poison  Weasels  without  Danger  to 
Animals— How  to  Catch  Weasels  in  Summer— Great 
Increase  in  Game— To  Trap  the  Skunk  and  Raccoon- 
Some  Methods  of  Destroying  Rats— Shooting— Strych- 
nine and  Arsenic— Traps— The  Wire  Noose— The  Milk- 
Can  Trap— The  Barrel  Traps— Owls  do  the  Work 
Well— The  Great  Horned  Owl  as  a  Ratter— The  Barred 
Owl  and  Rats — The  Screech  Owl  and  Mice— Some 
Methods  of  Trapping  Foxes— The  Trap  and  Bed- 
Heads — A  Feathered  Pest— Want  Bounties  for  Numer- 
ous Animals — A  Bad  Class  of  Cats— History  of  Heads 
Shown  on  Plates — Opossum,  Rabbits,  Wild  and  Tame 
Cats — Squirrels  and  Weasels — Dogs  and  Wolves — 
Feathered  Heads — Turkey  Buzzards  and  Sparrows — 
Sea  Gulls,  Cuckoos,  etc.,  pages 6*50-731 


LISr   OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


The  name  Fisher,  which  appears  after  names  of  different 
birds  of  prey,  indicates  that  the  illustration  has  been  repro- 
duced from  Dr.  A.K.  Fisher's  report,  Bulletin  No.  3,  United 
States  Department  of  Agriculture,  Washing-ton,  D.  C,  entitled 
"The  Hawks  and  Owls  of  the  United  States,"  published  in  1893. 
This  document,  prepared  by  Dr.  Fisher,  one  of  the  foremost 
Ornithologists  in  the  United  States,  under  the  direction  of  Dr. 
C.  Hart  Merriam,  Chief  of  the  Biological  Division  of  the  Na- 
tional Agricultural  Department,  deals  fully  with  the  birds  of 
prey  in  their  relation  to  agriculture.  It  is,  without  doubt,  the 
best  work  on  this  subject  that  has  been  published. 

The  name  of  Ward,  which  follows  names  of  different  animals, 
signifies  that  the  specimen  from  which  the  illustration  was 
reproduced  was  furnished  from  the  valuable  collection  of 
Messrs.  H.  A.  and  F.  A.  Ward,  of  Rochester,  New  Tork,  pro- 
prietors of  one  of  the  largest  and  best  equipped  natural  science 
establishments  in  the  country. 

The  name  Audubon,  placed  after  a  few  name.?  of  birds  and 
mammals,  shows  that  the  illustration  has  been  copied,  with 
some  minor  changes,  from  Audubon's  "Birds  of  North  America, 
or  the  "Quadrupeds  of  North  America"  by  Audubon  and  Bach- 
man. 

The  remainder  of  the  illustrations  have  been  made  especially 
for  this  work  from  specimens. 

CHAPTER  III. 
American  Hawk  Owl  (adult)— Ward. 
Bald  Eagle  (adult)— Fisher. 
Bald  Eagle  (young) — Ward. 
Barn  Owl  (adult)— Fisher. 
Barred  Owl   (adult)— Fisher. 
Broad-winged   Hawk   (adult)— Fishei-. 
Cooper's  Hawk   (adult)— Fisher. 
Cooper's  Hawk   (young)— Ward. 
Duck  Hawk  (adult)— Fisher. 

(  XIII  ) 


XTV 

Fish  Hawk  (a ilult)— Fisher. 

Golden  Eagle  (adult)— Fisher. 

Goshawk  (adult)— Fisher. 

Goshawk  (young-)— Ward. 

Great  Gray  Owl  (adult)— Ward. 

Great  Horned  Owl  (adult)— Fisher. 

Lfong-eared  Owl  (adult) — Fisher. 

Marsh  Hawk   (adult)— Fisher. 

Mississippi  Kite  (adult)— Fisher. 

Pigeon  Hawk  (adult) — Fisher. 

Red-shouldered  Hawk   (adult)— Fisher. 

Red-shouldered  Hawk  (young)— Ward. 

Red-tailed   Hawk   (adult)— Fisher. 

Rough-legged  Hawk  (adult)— Fisher. 

Rough-legged  Hawk  (young)— Ward. 

Saw-whet  Owl  (adult) — ^Ward. 

Screech  Owl  (adult;  red  and  gray  coats)— Fislier. 

Sharp-shinned  Hawk  (adult) — Fisher. 

Sharp-shinned  Hawk  (young) — Ward. 

Short-eared  Owl   (adult) — Fisher. 

Snowy  Owl  (adult) — ^Ward. 

Sparrow  Hawk  (adults;  male,  female)  — Fisher. 

Swallow-tailed  Kite  (adult) — Fisher. 

Turkey  Vulture  (adult)— Ward. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Blue  Jay  (adults) — Audubon. 
Black-crowned  Night  Heron  (adult) — Ward. 
Crow  (adult) — Ward. 
Crow   Blackbird    (adult). 
Green  Heron   (adults) — W^ard. 
Great  Blue  Heron  (adult) — Ward. 
Great  Northern  Shrike   (adult) — Ward. 
Northern  Raven  (adult) — Ward. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Black  or  Silver  Gray  Fox  (adult).. Audubon. 
Ermine  or  Large  Weasel  (white  coat) — Ward. 
Ermine  or  Large  Weasel  (brown  coat) — Ward. 
Ermine  or  Large  Weasel   (mixed   coat)— Ward. 
Gray  Fox  (adult) — ^^''ard. 
How  to  Fool  a  Fox. 
Mink  (adult)— Ward. 
Opossum  (adult) — Ward. 
Raccoon   (adults — Ward. 


XV 

Red   Fox   (adult;— Ward. 
Red  Squirrel  (adult)— Ward. 
Red  Squirrel  (albino). 
Skunk  (adult)— Ward. 
Wildcat  (adult). 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Along  Penn's  Creek. 
Along-  the  Juniata. 
Along  the  Susquehanna. 
In  Clinton  County. 

The   Narrows,   Pennsylvania   Railroad. 
Where  Foxes  Rove. 

CHAPTER    Vll. 
Plate  I. — Cotugnia    digonopora. 
II. — Cotugnia  bifaria. 

Amabilia  lamelligera. 
III. — Dicranotaenia  coronula. 
Dicranotaenia  aequabilis. 
Dicranotaenia  furcigera. 
Taenia  conica. 
IV.— Dicranotaenia  sphenoides. 

Drepanidotaenia   lanceolata. 
V. — Drepanidotaenia  lanceolata. 

Drepanidotaenia  fasciata. 
VI. — Drepanidotaenia  fasciata. 
VII. — Drepanidotaenia  fasciata. 
Drepanidotaenia  gracilis. 
VIII. — Drepanidotaenia  gracilis. 
IX. — Drepanidotaenia  anatina. 
X. — Drepanidotaenia  anatina. 
Drepanidotaenia  sinuosa. 
XI. — Drepanidotaenia  sinuosa. 
XII. — Drepanidotaenia  sinuosa. 
Drepanidotaenia  setigera. 
Taenia  Krabbei. 
Kowalewski  nee   Moniez. 
XIII. — Drepanidotaenia   sinuosa. 
Drepanidotaenia  setigera. 
XIV. — Drepanidotaenia  tenuirostris. 

Drepanidotaenia   infundibuliformis. 
XV. — Drepanidotaenia  infundibuliformis. 

Davainea  proglottina. 
XVI.— Davainea  proglottina. 

Davainea    circumvallata. 


XVI 

X\'I  I.--  Daxainea  ceslieillus. 

Davainea  echinobothrida. 
Davainea  tetragona. 
XVIII.— Davainea  tetragona. 

Davainea  Friedbergeri. 
Davainea  crassula. 
XIX.— Echinocotyle  Rosseteri. 

Ophryocotyle  proteus. 
XX. — Taenia  contaniana. 
Taenia  Delafondi. 
Taenia  Delafondi. 
Taenia  imbutiformis. 
Taenia  megalops. 
Taenia  nigropunctata. 
XXI. — Taenia  malleus. 
Idiogenes  otidis. 
Taenia  sp. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
The  following  named  illustrations  of  eggs,  natural  size,  have 
been  made  from  carefully  selected  specimens   in   the  collection 
of  Messrs.  Ward,  of  Rochester,  New  York. 
American    Crow. 
Bald    Eagle. 
Barn   Owl. 
Barred  Owl. 
Blue  Jay. 

Broad-winged  Hawk. 
Cooper's  Hawk. 
Duck  Hawk. 
Goshawk. 

Great  Horned  Owl. 
Long-eared  Owl. 
Marsh  Hawk. 
Red-shouldered    Hawk. 
Red-tailed  Hawk. 
Saw- whet  Owl. 
Screech  Owl. 
Sharp-shinned    Mawk. 
Sparrow  Hawk. 
'I'urkey  Buzzard. 

CHAPTER  IX. 
With  the  exception  of  those  after  whi.-h  the  name  Ward  ap- 
pears,  the  heads  shown   in   this   chapter  have  been  reproduced 
from   heads   sent    to   the   Smithsonian   Institution.   Washington, 


XVII 

D.  C.  or  ti)  the  office  of  the  author  for  identification.  These 
heads,  with  numerous  remains  of  other  birds  and  mammals, 
came  from  county  officers  in  Pennsylvania,  who  believed  the 
birds  to  be  Hawks  and  Owls;  and  those  of  the  quadrupeds  t<i 
be  one  or  the  other  of  mammals,  viz.,  Wolves,  Foxes,  Weasels. 
the  Wildcat  or  the  Mink,  which  were  all  mentioned  in  the 
Scalp  Act  of  June  23,  1886. 

HEADS    OF    BIRDS. 
American  Herring  Gull. 
Cooper's  Hawks — 'Ward. 
Cooper's  Hawk   (downy  young). 
Cuckoo. 

Domesticated  Hen. 
English  Sparrow  (adult). 
Fish  Hawk. 
Goshawk — Ward. 
Marsh  Hawk — Ward. 
Nighthawk. 

Pheasant  or  Ruffed  Grouse  (adult). 
Red-shouldered  Hawks — Ward. 
Sharp-tailed   Grouse   (adult). 
Turkey   Vulture. 
Whip-poor-will. 
Wild    Turkey    (adult). 

HEADS  OF  MAMMALS. 
Black    Squirrel. 
Chipmunk  (partial   albino) 
Flying  Squirrel. 
Fox  Squirrel— Ward. 
Gray  Squirrel— Ward 
Jack  Rabbit. 
Opossum. 

OTHER     ILLUSTRATIONS. 

A   Grass   Suit. 
Waiting  for  a  shot. 
To  Trap  a  Fox. 


HI 


(  XVIII  ) 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL 


Department  of  Agriculture, 
Harrisburg,  Yk.,  June  15,  i8gj. 
To  the  Hororable  Senate  and  House    of    Kepresenta 
tives  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania: 
Gentlemen:  In  compliance  with  the  following  con 
current  resolution,  I  haA'e  the  honor  to  transmit  here- 
with Part  II,  entitled  "Enemies  of  Poultry." 

B.  H.  WARREN. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives, 
March  1.  1897. 
Resolved  (if  the  Senate  concur).  That  there  shall  be  printed 
at  the  earliest  possible  date,  in  pamphlet  form,  fifteen  thousand 
copies  of  Bulletin  No.  17,  of  the  Department  of  Ag-riculture, 
entitled  the  Diseases  and  Enemies  of  Poultry,  with  such  addi- 
tional matter  and  changes  as  the  authors  may  deem  necessarj- 
to  more  fully  explain  this  important  subject;  five  thousand 
for  the  u.se  of  the  Senate,  and  ten  thousand  for  the  use  of  the 
present  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives:  Pi'ovided, 
That  the  authors  shall  receive  no  extra  compensation  for  pre- 
paring, writing,  editing,  proof  reading,  revising  and  indexing 
this  pamphlet. 

A.   D.   FETTEROL.F, 
Resident   Clerk   of   the  House   of  Representatives. 

In  the  Senate,   March  2,  1897. 
The  foregoing  resolution  concurred  in. 

E.    W.    SMILEY, 
Chief  Clerk  of  the  Senate. 
Approved— the  9th  day  of  March.  A.   D..  1897. 

DANIEL   H.    HASTINGS. 
(XIX) 


^SSn. 


'm 


(  XX  ) 


PREFACE. 


Unloi'tuuately,  ignoiuiice  conceiniug  the  true  worth 
of  numerous  species  of  wild  birds  aud  other  feral  ani- 
mals is  so  widespread  that  it  is  frequently  impossible 
to  present  in  public  documents  the  requisite  informa- 
tion which  will  be  of  real  service  to  the  citizens — es- 
pecially farmers  and  horticulturists — who  should  be 
fully  and  correctly  informed  of  the  economic  relations 
of  the  different  forms  of  animal  life  which  have  such 
an  important  place  in  nature's  garden. 

This  ignorance  is  not  by  any  means  confined,  as 
many  would  have  us  believe,  to  those  in  humble  walks 
of  life.  The  merry,  light-hearted  and  active  picca- 
iiinnys  of  the  south  watch  with  especial  interest  birds, 
mammals  and  insects  iu  their  chosen  haunts.  Such 
obs.^rvers,  without  books  or  educated  instructors,  have 
learned  from  the  great  book  of  nature  truths  which 
would  make  the  hearts  of  naturalists  throb  with  de- 
light; and,  if  placed  on  record,  some  of  these  observa- 
tions would,  no  doubt,  materially  add  to  scientific  lit- 
erature. Again,  we  find  a  class  of  stalwart,  rough 
bat  ingenuous  mountaineers  and  woodsmen  who, 
from  their  early  boyhood  days,  have  been  obliged  to 
struggle  and  labor  incessantly  to  maintain  themselves 
with  the  necessities  of  life.  These  men,  good-hearted 
and  true  that  they  are.  have  not  had  the  advantages 
of  education ;  they  do  not.  of  course,  know  the  latin 
names  of  the  wild  creatures  which  a  Wise  Creator  has 
placed  in  the  ample  field  of  nature,  and  in  many  in 
stances   they   do   not    even   know   the   proper   common 

(  XXT   I 


XXll 

namus  of  bird^,  iiiainraals,  inseclA  (if  latter  possess 
vulgar  names),  etc.,  which  they  see,  but  they  do  know 
much  of  the  life  and  habits  of  these  and  other  forms  of 
life.  Tlie  information  which  this  class  of  people 
possess  concerning  birds,  mammals  and  insects,  if 
^iven  wide  i)ublicity,  would  be  worth  thousands  and 
thousands  of  dollars  annually  to  the  citizens  of  this 
Commonwealth.  Turn  your  attention  in  another  di- 
rectioii;  go  among  men  high  in  social  and  educational 
rank,  or  those  who  have  gained  marked  distinction 
and  place  in  the  political  field,  and  speak  of  the  impor- 
tance, yes,  the  dire  necessity  of  issuing  at  public  ex- 
pense books  on  natural  history  topics,  and  in  the  ma- 
jority of  instances  you  will  find  they  decry  such  propo- 
sitions "as  a  useless  outlay  of  public  funds."  During 
the  past  ten  years  the  time  of  the  writer  has  been 
largely  occvpied  m  preparing  books,  reports,  papers 
and  bulletins  for  gratuitous  distribution.  By  such 
work  and  an  extensive  experience  in  the  lecture  field, 
it  has  been  learned  that  to  meet  with  popular  favor 
and  have  books,  etc.,  read  by  the  average  citizen,  one 
must  eliminate  in  his  writings  all  technical  matter  pos- 
sible, and  at  the  same  time  embellish  with  numerous, 
well  designed  and  truthfully  executed  illustrations. 
The  naturalist  who  prepares  books  or  other  documents 
which  the  average  school  child  can  read  intelligently 
will  do  much  more  service  to  the  present  and  future 
generations  than  the  one  who  prepares  strictly  tech- 
nical matter  that  can  only  be  i)erused  by  the  general 
reader  with  the  aid  of  dictionaries.  In  future  years, 
when  the  hand  that  pens  these  lines  is  still  in  death 
or  has  returned  tO'  mother  earth,  the  great  importance 
of  the  many  ti'uths  contained  within  the  pages  of  this 
work  will  become  apparent.  This  statement  last 
made  is  given  not  because  the  writer  is  so  egotistical 


XXIII 

as  to  belifcV('  tliat  Part  II  of  this  report  is  au  able  pro- 
duction from  a  literary  standpoint,  but  because  he  is 
well  aware  that  unless  a  strong  public  sentiment  is 
not  soon  cieated  to  correct  unjust  prejudices  which 
exist  against  many  of  our  most  serviceable  birds  and 
other  wild  animals,  these  creatures  will  soon  be  ex- 
terminated if  reckless  scalp  acts,  which  so  many  favor, 
are  enacted  and  hat-bird  hunters  pursue  their  nefari- 
ous trade.  Should  such  a  condition  confront  the  peo- 
ple of  this  Commonwealth  it  will  be  found,  when  too 
late  to  remedy,  that  the  annual  loss  from  innumerable 
insect  foes  would  be  very  considerably  in  excess  of 
die  enorn-ous  less  ^\e  at  present  suffer  yearly  in  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Entirely  independent  of  the  data  which  the  writer 
has  accumulated  during  many  years  of  active  field 
work  and  incorporated  in  this  volumn,  Part  n  con- 
tains much  matter  of  especial  value  from  the  pens  of 
some  of  the  highest  zoological  authorities  in  the  coun- 
try. All  this,  together  with  the  notes  and  field  obser- 
vations of  hundreds  of  intelligent  farmers,  horticul- 
tu lists,  poulterers,  sportsmen  and  naturalists  through- 
out the  State,  will  tend  to  make  this  document  a  stand- 
ard work  in  the  somewhat  limited  yet  exceedingly  im- 
portant field  it  so  fully  covers.  In  conclusion  the 
writer  would  extend  his  most  cordial  thanks  to  his  Ex- 
cellency, Governor  D.  H.  Hastings,  for  his  wise  ap- 
proval of  the  concurrent  resolution  which  provides  for 
this  publication.  Ex-Governor  Beaver  approved  two 
bills  authorizing  the  publication  of  the  Birds  of  Penn 
sylvania.  These  approvals  give  conclusive  proof  that 
Centre  county  has  furnished  executives  who,  by  their 
signatures,  have  done  more  to  create  popular  sentiment 
in  behalf  of  zoological  matters  than  any  of  their  pred- 
ecesors. 


(  XXIV  ) 


POULTRY  AND  ITS  ENEMIES. 


CHAPTER  I. 


MlSOELLANEOUiS  lNTKOi>UCrr<>HV  NOTKS. 


THE  VALUE  OF  PENNSYLV ANJ AS  POULTRY. 

It  is  estimated  tLat  tlie  value  ot  poultiy  of  all  kiudf 
and  the  eggs  produced  in  Pennsylvania  last  year  was 
about  $22,000,000.  By  these  figures  it  will  be  seen 
that  the  industry  is  one  of  great  importance;  in  faci 
it  is  one  of  the  most  important  branches  of  agricul 
ture.  as  statistics  show  that  "the  annual  poultry  pro 
ducts  of  the  United  States  are  equal  in  value  to  the 
wheat  crop." 

THE   VALUE  OF   FOWLS   AND   EGOS   IN   THE   UNITKD 
STATES. 

I'ennsylvania,  one  of  the  leading  Stalts  in  tlu-  Union 
in  the  production  of  poultry,  has,  it  is  stated,  about 
275,000  persons  engaged,  on  a  more  or  less  extensive- 
scale,  in  the  poultry  raising  business.  My  esteemed 
colleague.  Dr.  Pearson,  says,  basing  his  statement  on 
a  recent  estimate  published  in  the  .American  ,\grirul 
tuiist,  that 

"According  to  a  recent  estimate  of  the  American  Agricul- 
turt.st.    base<1   f'n    the   las!    oPiisus   and    on    an    extensive   inqniri . 

i-n  H) 


the  number  of  fowls  In  the  United  States  is  about  383.000,000; 
these  produce  1,141,000,000  dozen  eggs  each  year,  and  the  value 
of  both  amounts  to  $313,000,000.00.  There  are  in  this  State 
15,374,000  fowls  of  all  sorts;  turkeys,  geese,  ducks  and  chickens, 
valued  at  $S, 236, 000  and  these  produce  68,818,000  dozen  of  eggs 
each  year  worth,  at  20  cents  per  dozen,  $13,763,600,  making  a 
total  value  for  poultry  of  about  $22,000,000"— Pearson. 

Tlie  loss  to  poultry,  both  old  and  young,  through  dis 
ease  is  considerable.  Dr.  Pearson  observes  that,  at  a 
very  conservative  estimate,  one-tenth  of  the  poultry 
of  this  Commonwealth  is,  each  year,  carried  away  by 
disease.  However,  as  the  various  diseases,  with  besr 
remedies  for  the  same,  of  domestic  fowls,  are  carefully 
discussed  in  Part  I  of  this  document,  I  deem  it  unnec 
pssary  to  make  further  reference  to  disp'ases  which  arc 
such  a  hindrance  to  success  in  poultry-raising,  and 
which,  sometimes,  destroy,  if  not  promptly  and  intelli- 
gently treated,  the  entire  population  of  the  poultry 
yard.    . 

LOSS  IN  PENNSYLVANIA  FROM  PREDATORY  ANIMALS. 

When  I  prepared  the  preliminary  report  (Part  II., 
Bulletin  No.  17,  Dept.  of  Agriculture,  issued  in  Nov., 
189G).  entitled  ''Some  Furred  and  Feathered  Enemies 
of  Domestic  Fowls."  I  was  unable,  because  of  insuffi- 
cient data,  (which,  with  a  number  of  books  and  valu- 
able papers  belonging  to  the  Commissioner  of  Forestry 
and  myself,  had  been  carelessly  thrown  away  by  some 
workmen  who  were  making  alterations  about  a  closet 
where  our  property  was  stored),  to  give  even  an  ap- 
proximately correct  estimate  of  the  loss  to  poultry  an- 
nually incurred  through  the  depredations  of  predatory 
animals.  To  give  an  accurate  estimate  of  the  money 
lost  through  depredations  of  wild  animals  to  the  poul 
try  interest  would,  of  course,  be  impossible,  as  probably 
few  individuals  in  our  State,  who  are  the  possessors 


3 

of  a  flock  of  barn  yard  fowls,  keep  any  record  of  the 
loss  of  poultry  or  eggs  which  are  destroyed  in  the 
course  of  a  year  by  any  of  the  wild  animals  which  it  is 
well  established  subsist  in  part,  at  least,  on  young  or 
old  poultry  and  eggs.  However,  through  the  aid  ot 
circulars  and  postal  cards  making  inquiries  as  to  prob- 
able money  loss  annually  sustained  from  the  visits  of 
foxes,  minks,  weasels,  wildcats,  rats,  certain  species 
of  hawks  and  owls,  crows,  etc.,  it  is  learned  that  the 
yearly  loss  in  Pennsylvania  is  probably  about 
1750,000. 

This  sum  is  a  large  one,  and,  perhaps,  to  a  person  who 
has  given  little  thought  and  attention  to  the  matter. 
it  will  appear  to  be  excessive.  Such,  however,  judging 
from  the  answers  received  at  this  office,  does  not  ap- 
pear to  be  the  case,  as  may  be  seen  by  consulting  the 
replies  of  farmers  and  jjoulterers,  which  are  given  in 
full  on  succeeding  pages  of  this  work.  Well  informed 
gentlemen,  who  are  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  poul- 
try business,  and  the  losses  effected  by  the  depredations 
of  the  various  animals  commonly  included  under  the 
caption  "Enemies  of  Domestic  Fowls,"  claim  that  the 
average  loss  yearly  to  each  individual  farmer  and 
poultry-raiser  throughout  Pennsylvania,  through  the 
depredations  of  the  many  species  of  birds,  mammals 
etc.,  which  kill  poultry  or  destroy  their  eggs,  is  fully 
five  dollars. 

If  there  are,  as  it  is  claimed,  275,000  poultry  raisers 
in  this  State  and  they  each  sustain  an  annual  loss  of 
five  dollars,  the  aggregate  loss  would  be  $1,375,000. 

No  doubt,  there  are  hundreds,  yes.  thousands,  of 
farmers  and  other  persons  who  are  engaged  in  rearing 
poultry  who,  individually,  and  perhaps  yearly,  suffer  a 
much  greater  loss  than  five  dollars,  as  can  readily 
be  seen  by  consulting  reports  made  to  this  Department 


and    printed    in   ditteient   cliapters   which   appear  on 
succeeding    i)ages.     Such    cases,    however,    allhougli 
quite  numerous  could  not,  with  any  degree  of  fairness, 
be   used   exelusivelv   iu    makiiij*    up   estimates.     It   is 
also  worthy  of  particular  iioic  to  bear  in   mind  thai 
when  proper  care  is  taken  to  protect  fowls  from  their 
furred  and  feathered  foes,  the  loss  annually   can  be 
very  materially  lessened.     F'armers  and  other  poultry 
raisers  \y]io  make  no  efforts  to  have  their  poultry  safely 
housed  at  night  time,  naturally  sustain  losses  from  the 
attacks  of  nocturnal  marauders,  such  as  foxes,  minks, 
weasels,  opossums,  rats,  1he  Great  Horned  Owl,  ete. 
These  losses,  frequently,   could   easily  be  avoided  if 
proper  precautionary  measures  were  adopted.     Thos.- 
who  reside  in  sections  near  large  woods,  mountaiuou.^ 
districts,  streams  and  ponds  often   suffer  very   great 
losses  from  predatory  animals,  unless  particular  pains 
are  taken  to  guard  the  fowls  and  exterminate  the  sly 
pilferers.     I  have    known    a  single    pair  of  Cooper's 
hawks,  in  the  spring  when  they  had  a  nest  of  younji 
in  a  woods  about  half  a  mile  from  a  friend's  barnyard 
and   chicken  coojjs.  to  destroy  in   one  week  over  fifty 
young  chickens.  A  pair  of  Sharp-shinned  Hawks,  when 
compelled  to  provide  food  for  a  nest   of  young,  have 
been   knoAsn    to   visit   a   single   farm   and   kill,   on   an 
average,  five  or  six  young  chickens  daily,  foi-  a  period 
of  a  week  or  ten  days. 

Goshawks  will  also  sometimes  visit  farm  houses  fo»' 
several  days  in  succession  and  kill  poultry,  both  old  and 
young.  Usually,  however,  the  Goshawk,  when  breed 
insr,  keeijis  in  the  woods,  w^liere  he  finds  an  abundance 
of  food,  an  important  item  of  which,  unfortunately.  \* 
that  noble  game  bird  the  Ruffed  Grouse.  The  Duck 
Hawk,  a   suninicr  i-esidfut,   in   a    few    l<»caliti<'s  of  this 


stale,  iilsu,  at   times,  destroys  some   poiilti-y,   particii 
larly  ducks. 

TRAP    OR   SHOUT   THK   TROUBLESOME    HAWKS. 

VVheu  the  poult ly  raiser  discovers  that  a  liawk  or 
hawks  of  auy  species  are  paying  regular  visits  to  his 
poultry  yard,  he  should,  at  once,  begin  an  investigation 
and  learn,  if  possible,  where  the  nest  or  nests  of  sucli 
unwelcome  visitors  are  located.  When  this  informa- 
tion is  obtained  the  bold  feathered  depreaators  can 
usually  be  shot  or  ti-apped  at  their  nests.  When  this 
is  done  the  nests  and  young  should  be  destroyed  as  no 
liumane  person  would  want  to  leave  the  young  hawks 
to  die  of  starvation,  as  is.  so  commonly  done  by  the 
heartless  and  money  loving  plume-hunters,  who  have 
praetieally  depopulated  the  southern  states  of  the 
beautiful  herons.  The  hat-bird  and  plume-hunter,  ii. 
the  pursuit  of  his  nefarious  business — one,  kind  reaaer, 
which  has  been  made  possible  because  our  mothers, 
sisters  and  sweet-hearts,  seem  determined  to  decorate 
tlieir  headgear  with  showy  feathers — visits  the  breed- 
ing places  of  the  herons,  egrets,  etc.,  and  shoots  the  old 
birds  from  the  nests.  The  clamorous  young,  by  thou- 
sands, in  some  large  nesting  places,  have  been  left  by 
the  heartless  wretches,  to  die  by  the  tortures  of  starva- 
tion, as  the  carcasses  of  their  parents,  denuded  of  the 
showy  feathers,  lay  rotting  on  the  ground. 

KEEP  YOUR  EYE  ON  THE  CROW. 

Fretiuently  it  happens  that  a  pair  of  crows  will  set 
up  house-keeping  in  a  woods  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  farmer's  chicken  coops,  and  if  left  undisturbed  they 
will  pick  up  a  good  many  young  chickens,  and  steal 
all  the  eggs  they  can  find.  .\  visit  to  the  woods  will 
irenprallv  enable  vou   to  discovei-  the   home  of  these 


« 

black-coated  poultry  thieves,  which,  of  course,  can  be 
destroyed,  together  with  the  old  birds.  Should  you  fail 
to  find  the  nest  of  the  crow,  you  can  easily  dispose  of 
him  by  drilling  an  egg,  insert  a  little  strychnine  in  the 
hole,  and  phice  the  deadly  bait  in  a  nest  he  has  been 
robbing  or  in  a  conspicuous  place  where  he  will  be 
likely  to^see  it  as  he  comes  spying  around  after  the 
chirping  offspring  of  the  fussy  and  ever  solicitous  old 
hen,  who,  often  penned  up  in  a  coop  or  fastened  by  a 
long  cord  and  one  leg  to  a  peg  in  the  ground,  is  ever  on 
guard  to  shield  her  family  of  youngsters. 

HERONS.  BLACKBIRDS  AND  JAYS. 

Several  species  of  the  heron  tribe  occasionally  de- 
vour the  young  of  ducks  and  other  birds  which  are 
found  about  streams,  ponds  and  marshy  ground  fre- 
quented by  these  long-legged  waders.  Of  late  years, 
however,  the  herons  and  bitterns  have  so  greatly  de- 
creased in  numbers,  that  the  damage  they  do  by  de- 
stroying the  young  of  ducks  or  other  kinds  of  birds  is 
trifling. 

Crow  blackbirds  are  abundant  in  this  State  and  if 
these  birds  were  as  much  given  to  preying  on  young 
chickens  and  destroying  the  eggs  of  domestic  fowls,  us 
they  are  to  devouring  the  young  and  eggs  of  different 
species  of  small  insectivorous  birds,  they  would  no 
doubt  cause  considerable  loss  annually.  Fortunately, 
however,  the  habit  of  feeding  on  the  eggs  of  domestic 
fowls  and  their  young  seems  to  be  confined,  so  far  as 
my  observation  goes,  to  individual  blackbirds,  "black- 
sheep,"  so  to  speak,  which  appear  here  and  there  in 
different  communities.  Blackbirds  which  have  acquired 
an  appetite  for  the  eggs  and  young  of  domestic  fowls 
'•an  oasilv  be  desi  roved,  but  when  this  is  done  it  would 


not,  iu  my  opinion,  be  a  wise  procedure  for  the  farmer 
to  place  all  blackbirds  under  ban,  because  of  the  mis- 
deeds of  a  few  individuals  which  may  have  developed 
a  taste  for  forbidden  food.  Although  blackbirds,  un- 
doubtedly, destro3'  the  homes  of  a  good  many  small 
wild  birds,  the  fact  seems  pretty  well  established  that 
these  birds,  during  the  summer  season,  are  much  more 
beneficial  than  harmful  to  the  fanner.  Nine  times  out 
of  ten  an  investigation  will  show  that  when  crows  and 
blackbirds  visit  the  corn  fields,  when  the  young  corn 
blades  are  an  inch  or  two  above  the  ground,  that  they 
are  there,  not  to  destroy  the  corn,  as  many  suppose, 
but  to  feed  on  the  cut-worms  which  are  often  so  abun- 
dant as  to  ruin  entire  fields  and  render  a  replanting 
necessary. 

THE  JAYS. 

The  "Scrub''  or  Florida  Jay  (Apelocoma  floridana)  is 
greatly  detested  in  some  parts  of  Florida  where  they 
are  plentiful.  The  enniit}'  to  these  birds,  known 
locally  as  "Scrub  Jays"  because  they  are  found  in 
a  thick  under-growth,  arises  from  the  fact  that  they 
destroy  the  eggs  of  chickens.  They  come  about  build- 
ings and  destroy  the  eggs,  and  they  will  also,  I  am 
inloinied,  sometimes  attack  and  kill  young  fowls  as 
well  as  different  species  of  wild  birds  which  they  can 
master. 

In  attacking  the  young  of  chickens  or  other  fowls, 
the  jays,  it  is  asserted,  always  strike  at  the  head,  and 
with  a  few  vigorous  strokes  of  their  bills,  soon  per- 
forate the  tender  coverings  of  the  brain.  Usually  when 
not  disturbed  the  jay  will  eat  the  brain  matter,  pick 
out  the  eyes,  and  leave  the  rest  of  the  fowl  undis 
tnrbed. 

The  habit  of  destroying  eggs  and  poultry  must  De 


iiitli*'!-  ('oiiiiiKiii  vvilli  tlu'  Species  under  rtmsuieratiou. 
as  I  found,  in  1885,  at  several  localities  which  were 
visited  in  Orauj^e  and  other  counties  along  the  St. 
Johns  river,  that  special  efforts  were  made  by  the 
residents  to  destroy  these  birds,  on  account  of  the 
reasons  narrated  in  the  preceding  paragraphs. 

The  Florida  Rlne  Jay,  a  local  race  technically  styled 
( Cyanocitta  cristaia  florincolaj,  is  a  little  smaller  and 
has  less  white  on  tips  of  secondary  and  tail  feathers 
than  the  Blue  Jay  (Cyanocitta  cristata J.  It  is  also  in 
had  repute  with  Florida  farmers  who  assort  that  ii 
sncks  the  eggs  of  chickens. 

THE  JAY  KILLED  BIRDS  AND  SQUIRREL. 

Referring  to  the  Blue  Jay,  Audubon  wrote:  "It  robsevery  nest 
it  can  find,  sucks  the  eggs  like  the  crow,  or  tears  to  pieces  and 
devours  the  young  birds.  A  friend  once  wounded  a  grouse 
(Bonasa  umbellus),  and  marked  the  direction  which  it  followed, 
but  had  not  proceeded  two  hundred  yards  in  pursuit,  when  he 
heard  something  fluttering  in  the  bushes,  and  found  his  bird 
belabored  by  two  blue  jays  who  were  picking  out  its  eyes. 

The  same  person  once  put  a  flying  squirrel  into  the  cage  of 
one  of  these  birds,  merely  to  preserve  it  for  one  night;  but  on 
looking  into  the  cage  about  11  o'clock  next  day  he  found  the 
mammal  partly  eaten.  A  blue  jay  at  Charleston  destroyed  all 
the  birds  of  an  aviary.  One  after  another  had  been  killed,  and 
the  rats  were  supposed  to  have  been  the  culprits,  but  no  crevice 
could  be  seen  large  enough  to  admit  one.  Then  the  mice 
were  accused,  and  war  was  waged  against  them,  but  still  the 
birds  continued  to  be  killed,  flrst  the  smaller,  then  the  larger, 
until  the  Key  west  pigeons,  when  it  was  discovered  that  a  jay 
which  had  been  raised  in  the  aviary  was  the  depredator.  He 
was  taken  out  and  placed  in  a  cage,  with  a  quantity  of  corn, 
flour  and  several  small  birds  which  he  had  .lust  killed.  The 
birds  he  soon  devoured,  but  the  flour  he  would  not  condescend 
to  eat,  and  refusing  every  other  kind  of  food,  soon  died. 

En  the  north  It  is  fond  of  ripe  chestnuts,  and  in  visiting  the 
trees  Is  sure  to  select  the  choicest.  When  these  fall  it  attacks 
the  beech  nuts,  acorns,  peas,  apples  and  green  corn.  In  Lon- 
isana  they  are  so  abundant  as  to  prove  a  nuisance  to  the 
tHiTTiers.    picking   the    newly    planted    corn,    the    poas    and    sweet 


potatoes,  attacking  every  fruit  tree,  and  even  dt-sliuyiriK  ihc 
eggs  of  pigeons  and  domestic  fowls.  The  planters  are  in  tht- 
habit  of  occasionally  soaking  some  corn  in  a  solution  of  ar- 
senic, and  scattering  the  seeds  over  the  ground,  in  conse- 
quence of  which  many  jays  are  found  dead  about  the  fields 
and  gardens." 

JAYS    ARE    NOTORIOUS    NEST    ROBBERS. 

Although  Blue  Jays  have  decreased  greatly  in  uiam 
sections  of  the  country  since  that  able  naturalist. 
Audubon,,  penned  the  paragraphs  last  quoted,  they  have 
not  by  any  means  deviated,  as  far  as  can  be  learned, 
from  the  thieving  practices  of  their  loquacious  an 
,  (restors. 

The  Blue  Jays  of  the  present  day  have  had  trans 
mitted  to  them  the  same  carnivorous  tastes  which  yearw 
of  observation  in  the  woods  and  chosen  haunts  of  thp 
jays,  prompted  the  gifted  Audubon  to  write  so  posi 
tively  about  their  pernicious  habits. 

Every  farmer's  boy  who  is  familiar  with  the  gar 
I'ulous  and  inquisitive  jays,  is  well  aware  that  they  an- 
especially  fond  of  eggs  and  young  birds.  Whenever  an 
opportunity  offers,  whether  it  be  in  woodland,  orchard, 
garden  or  bramble,  these  blue-coated  robbers  put  forth 
all  their  energies  to  steal  the  eggs  and  young  of  their 
neighbors — birds  which  consume,  during  their  summer 
sojourn  with  us,  myriads  of  noxious  insects. 

These  numerous  forms  of  insect-life,  which  are  de- 
voured by  the  beneficial  birds  whose  homes  are  so 
frequently  despoiled  by  the  robber-jays,  would,  if  not 
kept  in  check  by  their  natural  enemies,  bring  about  :i 
destruction  of  trees  and  other  plant-life  which  oannoT 
be  computed. 

SAVE   THE    BIRDS 

The  absolute  necessity  of  protecting  in  every  wav 
pnssiMo  the  bonoficinl  or  the  insect -eating  birds  oannni 


10 

be  too  strongly  urged  upon  all  classes  of  our  people. 
Farmers  and  fruit-growers,  particularly,  should  make 
especial  efforts  to  encourage  the  presence  of  beneficial 
birds  on  their  premises.  The  Pennsylvania  I?oard 
of  Game  Commissioners,  assisted  by  the  members  of 
the  State  Sportsmen's  Association,  have  prepared,  with 
great  care,  a  game  bill,  which  is,  at  present  writing,  in 
the  hands  of  the  Legislature.  If  this  measure  becomes 
a  law,  it  will  afford  protection  to  insectivorous  birds 
which  has  never  before  been  given  in  this  State. 

If  the  section,  as  originally  framed,  of  thisl  bill, 
which  deals  with  "wild  song  and  insectivorous  birds,", 
passes  both  branches  of  the  General  Assembly  and  re- 
ceives executive  approval,  the  days  of  the  hat-bird 
killer  and  the  commercial  bird-egg  hunter  will  be 
numbered,  as  they  most  assuredly  should  be. 

The  millinery  taxidermists,  the  bird-egg-collecting 
fad,  so  common  with  school  boys,  have  in  the  last  ten 
or  fifteen  years  caused  an  enormous  depletion  of  bird- 
life. 

The  millinery  trade  requires  bright-plumaged  birds 
to  satisfy  its  tender-hearted,  charming  and  lovable  cus- 
tomers. 

20,000  BIRDS  IN  FOUR  YEARS. 

To  fill  the  orders  received  from  the  millinery  es- 
tablishments, taxidermists  have  scoured  the  woods,  or- 
chards, mountains  and  fields  in  search  of  victims.  In 
this  manner  immense  numbers  of  showy  species  such 
as  orioles,  tanagers,  warblers,  rose-breasted  grosbeaks, 
cardinals,  indigo  buntings,  jays,  bobolinks,  wood- 
peckers, snow  birds,  larks,  etc.,  have  been  slaughtered. 
Some  few  years  ago  I  met  a  taxidermist  in  one  of 
our  large  cities,  wiio,  with  the  aid  of  one  assistant  (a 
taxidermist)  and  sovpral  m^n  and  hovs.  wliom  he  fm- 


11 

plojed  to  shoot  birds  during  migrations  and  in  the 
early  summer,  cleared  over  -fH,500  iu  less  thau  one  year 
by  the  sale  of  mounted  birds  for  hats  and  bonnets.  His 
expenditures,  he  said,  were  about  $1,500  in  the  ten 
months  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  business.  He 
fiold  the  birds  at  prices  ranging  from  one  dollar  and 
fifty  cents  per  dozen,  for  small-sized,  dull-plumaged 
birds,  (song  sparrows,  hair-birds,  juncos,  English  spar 
rows,  oven  birds,  etc.).  to  five,  six,  eight  and  ten  dollars 
per  dozen,  for  male  scarlet  tanagers,  red-winged  black- 
birds, bobolinks,  rose-breasted  grosbeaks,  indigo  birds 
and  bright-plumaged  warblers  such  as  the  Black- 
burnian,  Kentucky,  Yellow  and  Magnolia.  This  same 
individual  also,  some  years  before,  or  when  the  craze 
of  decorating  woman's  headgear  with  birds  first  begait. 
in  one  season  obtained  from  the  coast  of  New  Jersey 
1.100  (erns,  chiefly  the  Lesser  Tern  {Sterna  antillarum) 
and  gulls,  for  which  he  gave  the  gunners  fifteen  anO 
twenty-five  cents  apiece,  and  then  stuffed  and  sold 
them  for  hats  at  twelve  and  fifteen  dollars  per  dozen. 

During  the  four  years  which  this  man  engaged  in 
supplying  birds  to  milliners  he  collected,  mostly  in 
IVunsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  at  least  20,000  skins. 

AVhy  produce  here  these  statistics  of  the  hnt-bird 
taxidermist? 

They  are  uivt'ii  .simply  to  call  attention  of  the 
farmers  of  Pennsylvania,  for  whose  especial  benefit  the 
legislators  directed  this  report  should  be  prepared,  to 
one  of  the  chief  causes  which  has  been  in  active  opera- 
tion for  the  past  ten  or  fifteen  years  to  destroy  birds, 
many  of  which  rank  among  the  first  of  all  natural 
agencies  which  the  Wise  Creator  has  placed  in  our 
midst  to  keei)  in  check  ravenous  insect  hosts,  that,  if 
tincheckcfl.  would  sooti  1;iy  onr  crops  to  waste. 


A  PROTEST  FROM   THE   BAT   STATE. 

This  wanton  and  senseless  destruction  of  bird-life  is 
not  by  any  means  restricted  to  Tennsylvania.  In 
Massachusetts,  where  about  three-quarters  of  a  million 
of  dollars  has  been  expended  during  the  past  four 
or  five  years  to  repress  a  single  insect  foe — the  Gipsy 
Moth — hat-bird  hunters,  professional  snarers,  or  "pot- 
hunters," and  the  ubiquitious  small  boy  with  an  old 
musket,  are  playing  havoc  with  the  feathered  popula- 
tion, many  of  which,  if  unmolested,  and  allowed  to 
follow  their  natural  inclinations  would  undoubtedly  be 
a  potent  factor  to  aid  in  keeping  in  check  the  voracious 
Gypsy  Moth.  Regarding  the  agencies  which  are  rapid- 
ly bringing  about  the  extermination  of  the  feathered 
tribes  in  the  Bay  State,  I  take  the  following  paragraphs 
from  the  annual  report  of  the  Massachusetts  Game 
Commission,  for  1896: 

"Reports  from  our  deputies  and  other  reliable  sources  show 
a  still  further  decrease  in  our  game  birds.  Especially  is  this 
true  in  the  eastern  and  middle  sections  of  the  State.  This  de- 
pletion is  due  to  over  shooting  and  that  most  destructive  of  all 
weapons,  the  snare.  In  some  sections  snares  have  been  set 
by  the  thousands,  completely  clearing  out  the  ruffed  grouse, 
and,  if  thisi  nefarious  work  is  not  stopped,  this  finest  of  game 
birds  will  be  entirely  destroyed.  It  seems  useless  for  the  State 
to  expend  money  for  the  protection  of  game  unless  this  work 
can  be  suppressed.  All  snaring  should  be  prohibited,  under 
severe  penalty  of  fine  or  imprisonment,  or  both,  at  the  discre- 
tion of  the  court.  The  time  in  which  game  can  be  killed  should 
be  shortened,  and  the  open  season  for  all  game  be  the  same. 
Unless  some  decided  action  is  taken,  there  will  be  in  the  near 
future  no  game  in  our  woods  and  fields. 

SAVE  OUR  SONG  BIRDS. 

"As  to  song  and  insectivorous  birds,  the  laws  should  be  more 
vigorously  enforced.  Now,  any  boy  who  ran  raise  ^1.^0  to  buy 
an  old  Springfield  musket,  considers  himself  privileged  to  take 
any  wild  thing  he  sees  for  a  target.  This,  togethei-  with  thp 
fashinn    nf    demrating    ladies'    hats    with    skins    and    wings    of 


13 

birds,  has  led  to  the  depletion  of  insectivorous  birds  to  such  a 
degree  that  scarcely  a  crop  of  any  kind  can  be  raised  without 
spraying  with  poison  to  kill  the  insects  which  were  formerly 
kept  in  check  by  the  birds.  The  penalty  for  this  destruction  of 
the  balance  of  nature  is  everywhere  apparent,  and  the  hor- 
ticulturist and  farmer  are  heavily  taxed  for  want  of  foresight 
in  protecting  their  own  interests. 

"If  the  destruction  of  these  birds  cannot  be  otherwise  re- 
strained, let  the  law  for  their  protection  extend  to  'the  posses- 
sion of  their  skins  or  any  part  thereof,'  except  for  scientific 
purposes." 

TILE   SNARER  IN   EVIDENCE   IN   PENNSYLVANIA. 

During  recent  years  it  appears,  from  reports  which 
reach  this  office  from  various  sections  of  the  State, 
that  the  snaring  of  birds  has  been  carried  on  to  a  great 
extent.  This  murderous  nifC-thod  is  engaged  in  prin- 
cipally by  a  class  of  foreigners  who  are  apparently 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  all  the  devices  of  the 
poachers  of  the  Old  World.  Rufifed  grouse,  in  some 
regions  of  the  State,  have  been  almost  entirely  extir- 
pated through  this  villainous  practice.  Although 
Huffed  Grouse,  undoubtedly,  suffer  the  most  from 
snares,  this  method  of  capture  is,  unfortunately,  by  no 
means  confined  to  these  game  birds.  These  death 
dealing  and  cunningly  hidden  snares  have,  on  several 
occasions,  been  discovert  d  in  swamps  and  meadow 
lands,  places  where  Woodcock  and  Wilson's  or  English 
snipe  are  known  to  frequent.  Men  who  make  a  busi- 
ness of  hunting  meat  or  bird's  skins  for  the  market, 
catch  numbers  of  small  song  and  bright-plumaged 
birds  by  the  use  of  birdlime  and  snares,  the  latter  art- 
fully placed  about  the  nests. 

A  member  of  our  State  Game  Commission  in  the 
early  part  of  November,  1896,  visited  the  market  stalls 
of  one  of  onr  large  cities  and  examined  forty  Ruffed 


14 

Grouse;  eight  hnd  been  shot,  the  remainder  had  beeu 
snared. 

BIRD   BUTCHERY  IN   PIKE   COUNTY. 

The  following-  article  from  the  pen  of  the  Milford  Pa., 
correspondent  of  the  New  York  Sun,  published  Novem- 
ber 15,  189G,  will  give  some  idea  of  the  snarer's  wort 
in  Pike  county,  and  the  same  condition  of  affairs  exists 
in  other  counties  of  Pennsylvania: 

•Hunters  in  Pike  county  complain  of  the  scarcity  of  game  in 
certain  sections  where  in  years  gone  by  it  was  very  abundant, 
and  they  attribute  the  scarcity  to  poachers.  It  is  true  that 
large  bags  of  birds  have  been  captured  in  the  present  season, 
and  these  lead  to  the  stories  that  game  is  plentiful. 

"This,  however,  is  not  the  case,"  said  the  veteran  guide  and 
hunter,  Charley  Mott,  of  this  borough.  "Nine  out  of  every  ten 
of  the  supposed  large  bags  of  birds  are  the  results  of  from 
400  to  600  snares,  covering  the  choicest  hunting  grounds  for  a 
radius  of  five  miles  or  more  from  the  home,  or  temporary  stop- 
ping place,  of  the  poacher.  The  shipments  to  New  York  city 
usually  represent  the  fruits  of  the  set  guns  of  two  or  more  of 
the  poachers,  and  are  the  result  of  from  four  days  to  one  week 
with  the  deadly  devices. 

"One  week  ago  a  shipper  of  birds  was  seen  travelling  in  the 
woods,  not  with  dog  and  gun  but  with  a  two-bushel  sack 
fastened  over  his  shoulder  and  directing  his  course  toward  the 
grounds  that  a  few  years  ago  were  the  most  famous  to  be 
found  anywhere  for  that  noble  bird,  the  Ruffed  Grouse.  What 
manner  of  cover  or  grounds  productive  of  birds  can  long  stand 
3u:h  wanton  and  i'bgal  destruction  and  continue  to  g  ve  pleas- 
ure to  the  sportsman? 

"For  many  years,"  continued  Mr.  Mott,  "I  found  great  pleas- 
ure and  fine  sport  shooting  on  the  grounds  referred  to,  but  the 
wonderful  scarcity  of  birds  of  late  and  the  discovery  as  to 
the  cause  of  this  scarcity  have  led  me  and  sporting  friends  to 
abandon  the  section  as  a  shooting  resort." 

Mr.  Mott  is  of  the  opinion  that  if  measures  are  not  taken 
soon  to  protect  young  grouse  from  the  summer  wnndmck 
shooters  and  to  break  up  the  marketing  of  snared  birds,  grouse 
will  be  virtually  extinct  in  Pike  county  in  the  near  future. 


15 

BIRD-EXTERMINATORS   IN   NEBRASKA  AND   GEORGIA. 

According  to  the  New  York  Sun:  "J.  H.  Den  and  three  com- 
panions are  reported  to  have  Icilled  700  wild  geese  and  duclis 
in  the  northern  part  of  Nebraslta  on  a  recent  hunting  trip. 
Seven  hundred  such  birds  would  weigh  not  much,  if  any  less, 
than  a  ton. 

H.  J.  Lamar,  Jr.,  and  a  party  of  hunters  went  to  Leesburg, 
Ga.,  dove  hunting.  The  amount  of  game  that  they  killed 
makes  one  think  of  the  wild  pigeons  away  back  in  the  fifties. 
The  party  killed  8,000  of  the  birds.  The  American  Field  says 
of  this  killing  that  'such  fiendish  work  by  men  who  claim  to 
be  sportsmen  makes  our  blood  boil  with  indignation.  •  •  • 
Their  Inhuman  greed  was  unsportsmanlike." 

If  this  kind  of  work  is  allowed  to  go  on  for  a  few 
years  we  will  have  no  game  of  any  kind  to  shoot. 

PASSING   OF   FAMILIAR  BIRDS. 

The  great  value  of  insectivorous  birds  cannot  be 
overestimated.  The  fact  is  evident  to  all  who  have 
given  any  attention  to  the  subject  that  if  the  wasteful, 
cruel  and  useless  slaughter  of  birds  is  not  soon  checked 
numerous  species  will  be  obliterated  from  regions 
where  in  former  years  they  were  abundant.  About 
twenty  years  ago  wild  pigeons  bred  in  immense  num- 
bers in  certain  sections  of  Pennsylvania;  but  they  are 
now  gone.  Why  have  they  left?  The  reason  is,  pri- 
marily, because  they  were  so  relentlessly  pursued  by 
netters  and  market  hunters,  and,  secondly,  on  account 
of  the  destruction  of  the  primitive  forests  where  they 
resorted  to  breed.  Fifteen  years  ago  the  beneficial  and 
euewily  dressed  Red-headed  Woodpecker  was  one  of  the 
most  common  birds  to  be  met  with  on  a  day's  outing 
in  the  rural  districts.  Now,  it  is  rather  unusual  to  see 
one  of  these  birds  in  sections  where,  in  my  boyhood 
days,  they  were  abundant. 

What  has  been  largely  instrumental  in  bringing 
about  this  change?    Why,  the  love  of  pecuniary  gain 


Mi 

aud  (he  saiiilv  of  the  lair  sex  liave  iui3i)iiec]  ihe  aiili 
navy  taxideiuiisls  to  shi lighter,  Jear  after  year,  these 
fiolitsoiiie  teuuiits  of  hollow  trees;  beautiful  defeuce- 
less  cieatures,  whose  livelihood  was  earned  maiuly  b\ 
destrojiug  insects  aud  larvae  destructive  of  forest, 
shade  and  fruit  trees.  It  is  true  this  bird  sometimes 
\  isited  the  corn  field  or  cherry  tree,  but  the  damage 
done  on  such  occasions  was  trivial  when  compared  with 
(he  good  he  did  in  the  orchard  or  forest. 

Men,  we  are  told,  particularly  a  class  of  miserly  fel 
lows  who  have  been  married  for  some  years,  are  prone 
to  comment  in  no  favorable  way  about  the  cost  of 
lovely  woman's  head  dress.  So  far  as  the  writer  is 
(concerned  he  believes  it  is  every  man's  duty,  and  if 
he  has  the  right  kind  of  a  wife,  I  know  it  would  be  a 
l>leasure,  to  assist,  so  far  as  he  is  financially  able,  in 
obtaining  the  requisite  head  attornment  for  his  better 
half.  I  do  not  believe,  however,  that  any  man  should 
be  asked  or  expected  to  encourage  the  decoration  of 
his  wife's  head  with  feathers  which  have  been  torn 
from  the  bodie^s  of  mute  and  lifeless  birds.  The  chief 
objection  I  have  to  offer  to  this  hatandbonnet  business 
is  the  persistence  which  so  many  ladies  have  for  deco 
rating  their  pretty  heads  with  beneficial  birds'  skins. 
i)o  away  with  such  ornamentations,  double,  if  you  de 
.sire,  the  amounts  paid  for  feathers,  add  an  extra  quan 
rity  of  artificial  flowers,  vines  and  iridescent  ribbons, 
but  spare,  I  beg  of  you,  the  harmless  and  defenceless 
fiiembers  of  "the  summer's  tuneful  host." 

THK    PKNNSYI>VANIA    AUDUBON    SOCIKTV 

It  is  certainly  fortunate  in  many  ways  that  the 
Pennsylvania  Audubon  Society,  with  headquarters  in 
Phiadelphia,  has  lately  been  largely  instrumental  in 


17 

arousiug  iu  differeut  quarters  of  the  State  a  stroufj 
desire  to  protect  souj^  birds.  The  officers  of  this  or- 
gauizatioD  include  a  number  of  the  best-know  citi- 
zens of  Philadelphia.     They  are: 

President. 
WITHER  STONE. 

Vice  Presidents. 
MISS  FRANCES  E.  BENNETT. 
MRS.  A.  T.  COPE, 
MRS.  S.  C.  F.  HALLOWELL, 
MRS.   WM.   FURNESS  JENKS, 
MRS  BEULAH  M.  RHOADS, 
MISS  ANNE  H.  WHARTON. 
EDWIN   SWIFT  BALCH. 
BENJAMIN  LEE,  M.  D., 
S.  WEIR  MITCHELL,  M.   D., 
HON.  SAMUEL  W.  PENNYPACKER.   LL.  D.. 
RT.  REV.  O.  W.  WHITAKER.  D.  D., 
WM.  ROTCH  WISTER, 
MRS.  RICHARD  M.  CADWALADER, 
MRS.  BRINTON  COXE, 
MRS.  L  MINIS  HAYES. 
MISS  A.  C.  KNIGHT, 
MISS  M.   CARY   THOMAS, 
CHARLES  C.   ABBOTT,  M.  D., 
HORACE  HOWARD  FURNESS,  LL.  D., 
REV.   HENRY   C.  McCOOK.  D.    D., 
J    RODMAN    PAUL, 
JOSEPH  WHARTON, 
JAMES  D.   WINDSOR. 

Directors. 
MISS   E.  W.   FISHER. 
MISS  ELLEN  L.  LUNDY. 
HENRY  C.  MERCER. 

Secretary. 
MRS.  EDWARD  ROBINS. 

Treasurer. 
\vn>LTAM   L.   BAILY. 

This  organization  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  jjublish 

3-rT 


18 

and  distribute  gratuitously,  a  very  interesting  and  val- 
uable little  pamphlet,  which  can  be  obtained  by  ad- 
dressing the  secretary,  Mrs.  Edward  Robins,  114  South 
21st  St.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

The  good  work  of  the  Audubon  Society  has  struck 
a  popular  vein  as  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  within 
a  i)eriod  of  five  montlis,  from  about  the  firs^t  of  -lanuarv 
of  the  present  year,  over  fourteen  hundred  ladies  and 
gentlemen  have  placed  their  names  on  the  membership 
rolls  of  the  society. 

The  earnest  and  commendable  efforts  of  this  society 
cannot  fail  to  do  a  vast  amount  of  good,  and  all  classes 
of  our  citizens  should  aid  in  this  new  field  of  labor, 
which,  if  carried  to  a  successful  end,  will  be  of  in- 
calculable value  to  this  and  future  generations.  No 
class  of  our  citizens  would  derive  greater  benefits 
from  the  protection  of  birds  than  the  farmers  and 
fruit-growers. 

To  successfully  protect  birds  in  this  State  it  is 
very  essential  to  secure  the  hearty  co-operation  of  the 
farmers  and  the  farmers'  boys. 

Unfortunately,  however,  in  some  sections  of  Penn- 
sylvania, different  species  of  birds  and  mammals  are 
regarded  with  disfavor  because  of  a  lack  of  knowledge 
of  their  beneficent  services.  When  these  mistaken 
opinions  are  corrected  and  the  praiseworthy  aim  of  the 
Audubon  Society  is  thoroughly  understood,  I  am  satis- 
fied that  the  farmers  of  this  Commonwealth  will  ex- 
tend such  assistance  that  the  professional  hat-bird 
hunter,  snarer,  and  meat-hunter,  will  be  forced  to  aban- 
don their  nefarious  trade. 

With  a  view  of  giving  a  brief  idea  of  the. magni- 
tude of  insect  depredations  throughout  the  United 
States,  a  few  paragraphs  are  added  under  the  sub-head 
"Insect  Ravages."     Such  records  should  certainlv  have 


19 

influence  to  aid  in  staying  the  hand  which  is  tm)  often 
imjustl}-  raised  against  birds  ;iud  other  wild  auiuiais 
which  are  friends  rather  than  enemies  of  the  human 
race. 

INSECT   RAVAGES. 

The  plum  crop  in  many  regions  of  Pennsylvania  Is 
almost  a  total  failure  because  of  the  ravages  of  the 
curculio  and  the  fungus  known  as  black  knot.  Yet,  it 
orchardists  would  heed  advice  and  follow  the  recom 
mendations  of  scientific  men  who  give  special  atteu 
tion  to  the  life  histories  of  insects,  fungi  and  birds, 
plum  culture  could,  no  doubt,  be  condnet<d  witli  niucli 
greater  satisfaction  and  profit. 

During  recent  years  there  has  been  a  very  great  in- 
crease both  in  number  and  virulence  of  the  parasitic 
fungi  and  insect  pests  with  which  the  farmer  and  the 
horticulturist  has  to  contend.  Besides  these  enemies 
the  cultivator  of  the  soil  has  to  combat  certain  species 
of  birds  and  mammals  which  annually  do  considerable 
damage  to  the  cultivated  crops.  The  destruction  of 
forests,  both  by  lumbermen  and  devasting  forest  tires 
— especially  the  latter — has  caused  many  insects  to 
abandon  their  habitations  in  the  forests  and  take  up 
their  abodes  in  the  cultivated  lands. 

PENNSYLVANIA    LOSES    $5,000,000    A    YEAR. 

Eminent  entomological  authorities  assure  us  that  at 
least  one-tenth  of  all  the  cultivated  crops  of  this  coun- 
try are  annually  destroyed  by  insects,  and  that  the  ag- 
gregate amount  of  damage  done  is  between  |200,000,00<) 
and  1300,000,000  every  year  in  the  United  States.  Of 
this  immense  sum  it  is  a  very  conservative  estimate  to 
state  that  Pennsylvania's  share,  through  insect  ravages 
alone,  is  about  S.o.000.000  annnallv. 


20 

fcsoiue  four  ^eais  ago  the  Piue  liaik  beetle  coiu 
mitted  depredations  iu  the  pine  forests  of  Southwest- 
ern Pennsylvania  and  in  West  Virginia  amounting  to 
fully  $1,000,000,  and  last  year,  according  to  the  esti- 
mates of  our  correspondents,  the  army  worm  damaged 
crops,  chiefly  cereals,  to  the  extent  of  at  least  $300,000. 
In  1895,  "rose  bugs"  and  English  sparrows  caused, 
according  to  the  testimony  of  our  Erie  county  cor- 
respondents, fully  150,000  loss  to  vineyards  in  the 
famous  Erie  grape  belt. 

THE  LOSS  IN   OTHER  STATES. 

In  North  Carolina,  the  insect  hosts  annually,  it  is 
said,  destroy  over  one  and  one-half  million  dollars 
worth  of  agricultural  products.  In  1893,  the  loss  from 
granary  insects  to  the  corn  crop  alone  in  the  State  of 
^moamsL  was  claimed  to  be  |1,671,882,  and  in  the  Lone 
Star  State  grain  weevils,  according  to  a  well  known 
writer,  cause  an  annual  loss  in  stored  cereals  of  over 
11,000,000.  In  1874,  the  Western  States  were  visited 
by  grasshoppers  which  played  such  havoc  with  the 
crops  that  their  depredations  amounted  to  $45,000,000. 
The  chinch  bugs  were  so  numerous  iu  Illinois  in  1804 
that  they  cost  the  people  of  that  State  over  $73,000,000. 
and  in  Missouri  in  1874  the  same  voracious  pests  de- 
voured agricultural  products  to  the  amount  of  $19,- 
000,000.  In  the  cotton  raising  States  the  annual  loss 
through  the  cotton  worm  from  1864  to  1880  was  esti- 
mated at  about  |15,000,000. 

Dr.  Packard  states  that:  "Each  species  of  plant  on  an  aver- 
age supports  three  to  four  species  of  insects,  and  numerous 
plants,  particularly  those  in  general  cultivation,  afford  sub- 
sistence to  many  more.  Many  species,  which  now  attack  gar- 
den vegetables  or  fruit  or  vines,  once  lived  In  the  forest  on  en- 
tirely   different    vegetable    life." 


21 


TREK- INHABITING    INSECT    PESTS. 

There  is,  it  is  said,  not  less  than  seventy-tive  kinds 
of  injuiious  insects  inhabiting  the  apple  orchard.  Be- 
fore the  apple  and  other  fruit  trees  were  introduced 
to  America,  many  of  these  insect  enemies  lived  on  sucb 
forest  trees  as  the  oak,  elm,  wild  cherry,  maple,  ash 
and  willow. 

Forest  trees  are,  as  Dr.  Packard  states,  "oarticularly  lia- 
ble to  depredations  of  insects,  certain  species  of  which  attack 
the  roots,  others  the  bark,  some  the  wood,  many  the  leaves 
and  a  few  the  fruit  and  nuts. 

The  oak  harbors  between  500  and  600  kinds  of  insects;  the 
hickories  afford  maintenance  to  140  recorded  species,  the  birch 
to  over  100  species,  the  maple  85.  the  poplar  72,  while  the  pine 
yields  nourishment  to  over  100  different  kinds." 

BIRDS   AND  MAMMALS  AS  A   CLASS  ARE  BENEFICIAL. 

There  is,  however,  no  doubt  that  certain  species  of 
birds  and  mammals  are  detrimental  and  their  fondness 
for  domestic  fowls  and  game — both  furred  and  feath 
ered — as  well  as  various  kinds  of  small  wild  song  birds 
is  such  that  no  one  who  is  acquainted  with  their  true 
life-histories  will  attempt  to  defend  them.  The  num 
ber  (species)  of  poultry  and  game  devouring  animals, 
dressed  either  in  coats  of  light-weight  feathers  or  of 
soft  warm  fur,  is  small  as  compared  with  the  species 
which  are  serviceable  or  neutral. 

It  is  unwise  to  overlook  the  great  benefits  conferrea 
by  the  majority  of  our  birds  and  mammals  in  th^ 
cultivated  field,  the  meadow,  the  forest  and  the  or 
chard,  by  destroying  the  troublesome  rodents  and  mul- 
titudes of  insects,  which,  as  Dr.  Elliott  Cones  well 
says:  "singly  are  insignificant,  but  collectively  a 
scourge,  wiiicli  prey  upon  the  hopes  of  the  fruit  grower, 
and  which  if  undisturbed  would  bring  his  care  to 
nought." 


22 


THE  SNAPPER  AND  A  BROOD  OF  DUCKS. 

Some  years  aj^o  a  black.siuitli  lesiding  near  a  small 
creek  on  the  outskirts  of  the  bo)-oiij:^li  of  ^Vest  Chester, 
had  a  Hock  of  about  llfttMii  young  ducks,  which  were 
eared  for  by  a  cross  old  Brahma  ben  that  always 
scolded  whenever  her  web-footed  brood  disported  iu 
the  muddy  water  of  a  small  dam  which  had  V)een  made 
in  the  stream  for  their  accommodation.  The  ducks 
went  there  with  great  regularity,  notwithstand- 
ing the  protests  'of  their  clucking,  bad-tempered 
and  fussing  foster-parent.  Suddenly  the  ducks 
began  to  disappear;  one,  and  sometimes  two. 
were  spirited  away  iu  a  day.  First  the  tats 
were  accused  and  they  were  promptly  shot.  Next 
a  frolicksome  setter  pup  was  whipped  when  he  "stood" 
the  old  hen  and  the  surviving  members  of  her  palmate 
family.  The  poor,  misused  dog  immediately  after  his 
castigation,  was  chained  in  the  barn.  The  death  of 
several  cats  and  the  confinement  of  a  dog,  whose  lung 
power,  both  in  daylight  and  dark,  furnished  abundant 
evidence  of  the  entire  absence  of  consumptive  or  asth- 
matic troubles,  did  not  put  an  end  to  the  thinning  out 
of  the  ducklings.  There  were  no  minks,  weasels,  or 
foxes  about  the  premises,  and  all  the  hawks  and  owls 
for  miles  around,  had  been  killed  for  bounty.  Sleek- 
coated  meadow  mice,  it  is  true,  were  plentiful  about  the 
creek  and  in  the  tangled,  matted  grassy  coverts  or 
adjoining  fields.  But  as  these  little  creatures,  which, 
curious  to  relate,  had  multiplied  with  marvelous  rn 
pidity  a  few  months  after  the  hawks  and  owls  had 
bopn  sh'in,  subsisted  on  grass  roots,  cereals,  grape- 
vines, etc.,  such  vegetarians  certainly  did  not  molest 
the  ducks.  At  last.  \  icwing  the  matter  from  every 
imaginabh'    standpoint,    attention    was    directed'  to   a 


23 

certain  small  boy  who  i)layed  "hooky"  to  rob  bird's 
nests  and  went  fishing  when  his  mother  sent  him  to 
Sunday  school.  Because  this  mischievious  urchin, 
some  days  before,  had  been  observed  trying  to  catch 
a  snapper  which  he  said  "lived  in  the  dam  and  killed 
the  ducks,"  he  was  believed  to  be  the  aggressor.  The 
boy  was  watched,  and  yet  the  ducks  continued  to  do- 
crease.  One  afternoon,  when  all  but  two  of  the  flock 
had  been  stolen,  the  blacksmith  who  was  looking  at 
the  pair  dabbling  in  the  water,  was  surprised  to  see 
a  large  snapping  turtle  seize  one  and  drag  it  to  the 
muddy  bottom.  This  turtle,  which  weighed  about 
seven  or  eight  pounds,  and  the  dead  duck  were  both 
fished  out  of  the  pool  with  an  iron  rake. 

ODD   TRAITS   OF   ANIMAL-CHARACTER. 

The  totally  unexpected  discovery  made  by  the  good 
natured  disciple  of  Vulcan  brought  about  a  great 
change.  The  small  boy  was  presented  with  a  new  fish- 
ing line,  treated  to  pie  and  lots  of  "taffy."  He  listened 
with  boyish  pride  and  becoming  modesty  to  such  soft 
phrases  as  "Oh  my!  what  a  bright  child,"  "Good  boy," 
"Fine  little  man,"  etc.  Poor  innocent  little  fellow: 
he  had  not  disturbed  the  old  hen's  brood,  yet  all  the 
time  this  "good  boy"  knew  that  he  had,  only  the  day 
before,  stood  on  guard,  near  the  door  of  the  old  smith- 
shop,  while  a  companion  had  stolen  a  dozen  hen's  eggs 
and  a  lot  of  pigeons  from  the  industrious  and  frugal 
blacksmith's  barn.  However,  this  gave  him  no  con- 
cern as  their  rightful  owner  never  learned  the  facts. 

The  slandered  and  howling  setter  was  given  full 
liberty,  and  in  less  than  an  hour  afterward,  as  if  to 
celebrate  the  happy  event.  Mr.  Pup  killed  three 
chickens  in  a  neighbor's  garden,  and.  in  an  adjoining: 


•J4 

yard.  In-  ran  dovvu  and  mauled  a  kitten  helon^^nnj;  to  a 
sljort-haii-ed,  meddlesonu'  old  maid. 

This  kitten,  to  repair  its  damaged  anatomy,  had  to 
retire  the  bahince  of  the  week  to  rest  in  swaddlinj^ 
bands  and  arnica  fumes. 

Expressions  of  regret  were  also  uttered  on  account 
of  the  prematura  and  violent  demise  of  the  Thomas 
feline  group  planted  at  the  foot  of  a  grape  vine.  This 
shaggy-coated  and  crooked  old  vine  had  for  years 
served  as  a  shelter  and  breeding  place  for  several 
generations  of  the  sparrow  kind,  and  when  these  cats 
were  buried  at  its  base  to  invigorate  the  growth,  there 
was  hidden  in  a  thick  cluster  of  large  leaves  and  fad 
ing,  whitish  blossoms,  the  tenantless  nest  of  a  pair  of 
sweet-voiced  Chipping  Sparrows,  that  these  same  cat* 
had  destroyed  the  day  previous  to  the  commencemem 
of  their  unexpected  contract  to  "grow  grapes." 

FISHES    THAT    CATCH    DUCKS    AND    BIRDS. 

The  taste  which  birds,  such  as  the  herons,  cranes, 
kingfishers,  certain  hawks,  owls  and  eagles,  the  mer- 
gansers and  several  kinds  of  sea  ducks,  gulls,  terns  and 
other  oceanic  birds  have  for  fishes  is  well  known.  It 
does  not,  however,  appear  to  be  generally  understood 
that  we  have  numerous  members  of  the  finny  inhabi 
tants  of  our  rivers,  lakes  and  ponds  which  seldom 
allow  a  toothsome  young  duck  or  other  small-sized 
birds,  which  they  can  capture,  to  escape. 

Small  mammals,  slich  as  mice,  shrews  and  moles  are 
also  sometimes  eaten  by  these  scaled  animal-catchers. 
On  the  ocean,  in  salt  water  bays  and  large  rivers,  and 
about  the  Great  Lakes,  numerous  ducks,  gulls,  tern? 
and  other  swimming  birds  are  gobbled  up  by  hungry 
fishes.  Sandpipers,  the  smaller  herons  and  other  birds 
whieh  Wilde  about  in  shallow  waters,  are  likewise  often 


25 

cauglit  L»v  voraciuuis  pike  or  pickerel,  bass  and  trout, 
in  ponds  and  streams.  I  have  on  two  different  occa 
sions  seen  brook  trout  catch  young  birds — one  an 
Indigo  Bunting  and  the  other  an  awkward  Maryland 
Yellow  Throat,  which  had  accidentally  gotten  into 
the  water. 

Pickerel  which  are  plentiful  and  which  grow  to  good 
size  in  the  numerous  ponds  or  lakes  in  the  northeastern 
section  of  Pennsylvania,  often,  I  am  told,  catch 
ducks,  sometimes  when  nearly  full  grown,  as  well  as 
other  birds  which  get  into  the  water  intentionally  or 
otherwise. 

Last  summer  1  shot  a  warbler,  at  Lake  Ganogo,  u 
very  pleasant,  healthful  and  romantic  resort  on  the 
Lehigh  Valley  Railroad,  in  Wyoming  county.  The  bird 
fell  into  the  water  of  the  lake,  and  when  I  had  almost 
reached  it  with  a  boat,  a  good  sized  black  bass  seized 
it  and  disappeared  from  view. 

MUD   HENS   ARE    CAUGHT. 

I  have  repeatedly  been  informed  by  fishermen  and 
egg-hunters  along  the  Atlantic  coast,  in  New  Jersey 
and  Virginia,  where  the  Mud  Hen  or  Clapper  Rail 
{Ballus  longirostria  crepitans)  breeds  in  abundance, 
thai  eels  and  several  species  of  fishes  destroy  many 
of  the  young  rails.  In  the  Florida  waters  the  gar  and 
some  other  fishes  have  such  a  keen  appetite  that  adult 
ducks  are  often  killed  or  maimed  by  them.  I  once  shot 
a  drake  Wood  Duck  in  Florida,  which  fell  in  the  water- 
about  seventy-five  yards  from  where  I  stood.  Prob- 
ably ten  minutes  elapsed  before  I  could  get  the  speci- 
men, which  from  the  way  it  kept  moving  and  bobbing 
about  in  the  water  I  thought  was  only  wounded,  but 
80  injured  that  it  could  not  fly  or  dive.  VA'hen  the  duck 
was  retrieved  T  was  surprised  to  tiiui  thai  it  had  been 


struck  with  several  pellets  of  No.  5  shot  which  caused 
instant  death.  Its  breast  and  abdomen  were  so  badly 
lacerated  that  it  was  valueless  for  cabinet  purposes. 
A  guide  who  was  with  me  said  it  was  the  work  of  a  gar, 
black  bass  or  catfish,  all  of  which,  he  claimed,  would  do 
such  tricks.  At  different  limes  I  threw  into  the  St. 
Johns  river,  at  a  wharf  where  catfish  were  abundant, 
small  birds  which  had  been  too  badly  damaged  by  shot 
to  be  skinned;  the  catfish  would  come  to  the  surface 
and  carry  them  out  of  sight.  The  place,  of  course, 
where  these  experiments  were  made,  was  a  kind  of 
feeding  ground  which  I  had  established  for  the  cattish 
by  throwing,  almost  daily  for  nearly  a  month,  into  tne 
water  the  carcasses  of  several  hundred  birds  which  had 
been  skinned. 

THE  VORACIOUS  PIKE. 

Tike  which  love  to  hide  in  still  waters  where  lily 
pads,  tall  gi-afcses  and  rushes  grow,  have  on  different 
occasions  been  known  to  catch  and  devour  small  birda 
perched  on  low  branches,  leaves  and  grasses  resting 
on  or  near  the  water's  surface. 

Ducklings  of  both  wild  and  domesticated  kinds  arc 
very  frequently,  it  is  asserted,  captured  when  dabbling 
in  the  water  by  numerous  kinds  of  greedy  fishes. 

A    RED    SQUIRREL..   SPARROW   AND   HUNGRY    CHUB. 

In  my  school  boy  days  when  fishing  on  the  historic 
Erandywine,  I  heard  a  loud  out-cry  among  a  colony  of 
birds  in  a  cluster  of  low  willows  and  hazel  bushes 
which  overhung  the  banks  and  stream  where  the 
watei's  rushed  madly  over  a  stony  bed  to  form  a  deep 
dark  pool  where  fallfish  or  chubs  lay  in  wait  for  food. 
[   was   acquainted   with   the   spot,   having   repeatedly 


27 

caughl  Iht'  huugrv  rlmbs  with  grub-worms,  grass- 
hoppers or  mussels,  in  this  their  favorite  trysting  place. 
The  birds'  sharp  aud  angry  notes  induced  me  to  hurry 
to  the  spot  Avheie  I  discovered  a  i)ryiug  Red  Squirrel 
to  be  the  originator  of  all  the  confusion.  The  squirrel 
had  detected  a  partly  feathered  young  ground  sparrow 
and  in  endeavoring  to  catch  it  had  knocked  or  scared 
it  into  the  water  and  it  was  struggling  at  the  edge 
of  the  pool  when  suddenly  there  was  a  splash,  and  the 
bird  vanished.  A  stone  cast  at  the  squirrel  drove  him 
away  as  well  as  the  birds  he  had  annoyed. 

T.  then  directed  my  attention  to  fishing  and  cast  my 
hook  baited  with  a  "willow  worm"  into  the  pool,  a 
quick  jerk  and  a  taut  line,  told  me  I  had  a  fish,  which 
when  landed  proved  to  be  a  sixteen  inch  chub.  On 
opening  the  stomach  of  this  fish  I  found  the  young 
sparrow  which  had  so  mysteriously,  about  fifteen  min- 
utes before,  left  the  water's  surface. 

FOREST  FIRES  VS.   WILD  AND  DOMESTIC  ANIMALS. 

The  time  is  fast  approacning  when  the  ci^i/.i-us  v»f 
this  great  Commonwealth  will  be  compelled  to  adopt 
some  stringent  measures  to  prevent  the  destructive  for- 
est fires  which  occur  yearly,  generally  in  the  spring 
and  autumn,  and  often  also  during  the  dry  summer 
season. 

FOREST  FIRES  INCREASING. 

During  recent  years  or  since  forest  fires  have  in 
creased  so  markedly  in  many  of  the  mount ainous  por- 
tions o(f  Pennsylvania,  there  has  been  a  great  de- 
crease in  the  number  of  woodpeckers,  nuthatches  and 
different  species  of  wood  warblers,  vireos,  likewise  the 
sweet  voiced  thrushes,  many  of  which  subsist,  to  a 
large  degree,   ou    numerous   forms   of  forest-tree   de- 


•2H 

stroyiug-  iusects.  Tliis  disappearaucc  of  avian  life  is. 
110  doubt,  to  be  attributed,  iu  part  at  least,  to  tiie  tires, 
which  destroy  so  inuiiy  of  these  birds  in  the  bi'eediug 
season. 

SERIOUS   LOSS   IN    1895. 

From  reliable  statistics,  on  file  iu  this  Department, 
we  find  that  iu  the  year  1895  there  were  about  l2i!o,U(Ml 
acres  burned  over,  occasioning  a  great  loss  to  valuable 
timber,  aggregating  fully  one  million  of  dollars. 

In  1895  twenty  buildings  were  destroyed,  among 
which  were  several  saw-mills;  two  men  and  several 
horses  and  cattle  lost  their  lives  in  the  fires,  which 
also  consumed  a  considerable  quantity  of  cut  and 
sawed  timber.  In  the  same  year  the  farmers  spent 
$45,000  in  wages  alone,  to  pay  men  and  boys  to  aid  iu 
extinguishing  the  flames.  Besides  the  great  loss  to  our 
lumber  interests  and  to  the  farmers  whose  fences,  build- 
ings and  other  personal  property  are  continually  en 
dangered  by  the  flames'  ravages,  the  reducing  of  these 
semi-annual  conflagrations,  which  in  the  majority  of 
cases,  are,  from  reports  at  hand,  the  result  of  either 
grossly  careless  or  maliciously  inclined  persons,  is 
absolutely  necessary  as  the  continued  destruction  of 
our  timbered  areas  by  the  woodman's  axe  and  the  de- 
vTastating  flames,  will  before  many  years  sieriously 
menace  the  water  supply  of  our  State.  The  restoratioh 
of  forest  trees  on  thousands  of  acres  of  land,  uow  prac- 
tically valueless,  is  a  matter  of  the  utmost  importance 
from  a  hygenic  standpoint.  The  fact,  however,  re- 
mains true  tliat  this  can  never  be  accomplished  unless 
some  vigorous  means,  through  legislative  aid.  are 
taken  to  repress  the  forest  fires. 


2» 

OF   GREAT   INTEREST   TO    P^ARMERS    AND    SPORTSMEN. 

To  fanners,  sportsmen  and  naturalists  the  forest 
fire  question  is  one  of  great  moment,  as  investigation's 
show  that  the  amount  of  animal  life,  particularly  birds 
and  mammals,  destroyed  yearly,  is,  in  the  aggregate, 
^'ery  large.  Persons  who  have  followed  in  the  path- 
Avays  oif  the  great  hissing,  crackling,  smoking  and 
life-destroying  flames,  have  found  the  charred  re- 
l^aiu^^  of  pheasants,  wild  turkeys,  quails,  rabbits, 
fawns,  etc..  besides  several  kinds  of  small  wild  song 
birds,  especially  such  species  that  nest  on  or  near 
the  ground.  Last  spring  and  summer  (185)6)  in  almost 
every  <lislrie(  where  the  fires  burned  ovei-  a  large 
aci-eage  numerous  nests  of  grouse,  besides  many 
turkeys,  and  innunii'i-ablc  homes  of  small  wild  birds 
woi-e  destroyed. 

GREAT    DESTRUCTION    OF    WILD    ANIMALS. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Dr.  J.  T.  Kothrock,  Forestry 
(Commissioner  of  this  Department,  the  Zoologist  has 
been  enabled  to  collect,  from  the  district  visited  last 
sjjring  and  summer  by  forest  fires,  a  large  amount  of 
valuable  data  showing  the  great  destruction  caused  b\ 
these  conflagrations  to  game  of  different  kinds,  as  well 
as  to  manv  s])ecies  of  small  wild  song  and  insectivorous 
birds  which  have  their  habitations  in  the  fores! s.  old 
slashings,  and  bark  peelings;  localities  that  wert' 
mostly  burned  over. 

The  ruinous  fires  that  did  so  much  damage  ro  animal 
life,  occurred  last  year  much  Inter  iliau  is  nsunllv  the 
case,  and  the  injury  to  small  wild  birds  and  game, 
both  furred  and  feathered,  was.  according  to  all  ac- 
counts, consideiably  greater  than  is  customary  to  be 
noticed    when    the    iisnal    "Spriner    Fiies"    take    placp. 


30 

The  tires,  last  year,  raged  with  the  greatest  fury  in 
the  hitter  part  of  May  and  the  early  part  of  June,  or 
during  a  time  when  birds  had  their  nests  filled  with 
eggs  or  brood  of  young. 

LOCOMOTIVES  NOT  THE   CHIEF  CAUSE   OF  FIRES. 

The  assertion  that  steam  locomotives  are  the  chief 
cause  of  forest  fires  inthis  State  is  not,  according  to  my 
observation,  correct,  nor  is  the  claim  proven  by  statis 
tics  of  this  Department. 

My  official  duties  are  such  that  1  have  occasion  to 
travel  at  least  nine  months  of  the  year  through  Penn- 
sylvania. Much  of  this  time  is  spent  in  the  mountains 
and  lumbering  operations  where  forest  fires  are  of  com- 
mon occurrence.  While  it  is,  of  course,  true  that 
sparks  from  engines  of  steam  cars  sometimes  start 
serious  conflagrations,  careful  investigations  during 
the  past  three  years  show  that  fires  which  originate 
through  such  causes  are  rather  exceptional. 

RAILROADS   ADOPT  BEST   PREVENTIVES  KNOWN. 

It  is  also  a  fact  that  our  railroad  companies  not 
only  use  the  most  improved  spark  arresters  for  their 
engines,  but  they  likewise  give  particular  instructions 
to  section  bosses  and  track  walkers  in  their  employ,  to 
adopt  promptly  such  means  as  may  be  necessary  to 
stop  any  and  all  fires  which  occur  along  the  lines  of 
their  respective  systems.  Through  ni}'  own  personal 
observation  and  from  the  statements  of  numerous 
close  observing  and  reliable  gentlemen  who  have  de- 
voted much  attention  to  the  cause  and  effect  of  forest 
fires  it  has  been  found,  except  in  isolated  cases,  that 
many  of  the  ruinous  forest  fires  which  have  in  recent 
years  been  started  by  steam  engines,  origina+ed  not 
from   puffing  and  ponderous  locomotives  of  the  well 


31 

equipped  aud  admirablj  conducted  steam  railways  of 
our  Commonwealtli,  but  from  the  little  (and  in  many 
cases  defective)  "dinkey"  engines,  such  as  are  in  use 
on  many  lumbering  operations. 

A  COMMON  CAUSE  OF  FOREST  FIRES.. 

Another  and  very  fruitful  cause  of  forest  tires  is  the 
custom,  as  practiced  in  numerous  regions,  of  setting 
fire  in  the  early  spring  to  undergrowth,  dry  fallen 
leaves,  and  dead  wood,  so  that  grazing  and  pasture 
grounds  will  be  furaished  for  cattle  and  sheep.  The 
people  who  do  this  work  know  it  is  contrary  to  law, 
but  they  nevertheless  follow  it  up  year  after  year. 
Instances  are  known  w^here  in  order  to  escape  detec- 
tion, men  have  taken  lighted  candles  and  placed  them 
under  piles  of  leaves  and  other  combustible  materials. 
These  candles  in  a  few  hours  would  burn  out  and  start 
fires  when  the  men  who  had  arranged  the  contriv- 
ances would  be  many  miles  from  the  place. 

Old  huckleberry  patches  are  often  fired,  so  a  new 
crop  of  vigorous  bushes  will  come  up  the  following 
spring.  Thus,  for  the  sake  of  a  few  bushels  of  berries, 
men  will  start  fires  that  destroy  many  thousands  of 
dollars  worth  of  property  and  much  wild  animal-life. 

Deer  hunters  oftentimes,  in  order  to  clear  up  un- 
derbrush so  they  can  get  better  shots  at  deer,  will 
burn  extensive  tracts  of  land. 

CARELESS   SPORTSMEN. 

As  many  of  the  fires  can  be  traced  to  the  carelessness 
of  sportsmen,  it  would  seem  an  awful  lesson  to  them  to 
read  what  a  frightful  destruction  to  game  these  fires 
are.  It  should  teach  them  to  not  only  be  careful 
themselves,  but  encourajre  them  to  give  information 


:V2 

that  would  result  iu  the  punishment  of  those  who  wil 
fully  set  fire  to  the  forests.  If  this  is  not  done  at  once 
it  will  be  but  a  short  time  only  until  j^ame  will  be 
extinct,  or  what  is  left  will  be  without  forest  protec- 
tion, and  consequently  the  ])leasure  of  tlie  true  sporta 
man  will  be  gone. 

One  frequently  reads  in  the  newspapers  during  tht 
gunning  season  items  like  the  following,  which  was 
clipped  from  a  Lancaster  county  paper: 

"On  Tuesday  a  woods  belonging  to  Robert  Black,  of  near  Ful- 
ton House,  wa.s  set  on  Are  by  gunners.  They  ran  a  rabbit  into 
an  old  tree,  and  in  order  to  get  him  out  built  a  fire  around 
the  tree.  The  woods  were  soon  on  fire,  and  five  acres  were 
burned  over.  A  great  deal  of  fence  was  destroyed  and  many 
young  trees  were  damaged." 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  an  editorial 
published  in  the  Philadelphia  Press,  Dec.  5,  189G: 

"The  prevention  of  forest  fires  in  this  State  appeals  to  many 
interests.  Most  of  them  are  affected  indirectly  by  the  changed 
conditioHS  which  the  destruction  of  the  forests  brings  about. 
To  all  sportsmen,  however,  the  forest  fires  are  of  immediate 
concern,  since  they  are  very  destructive  of  game.  As  the 
camp  fires  of  careless  sportsmen  are  among  the  most  prolific 
causes  of  forest  fires,  it  is  well  for  them  to  know  that  they  are 
sinning  against  their  own  Interests,  and,  what  their  shooting 
in  season  would  never  do,  making  game  scarcer  each  year.  If 
they  would  stay  to  see  the  damage  done  by  the  fires  which  they 
have  caused  to  ignite  they  would  see  this  for  themselves.  In 
the  wake  of  the  life-destroying  flames  in  the  spring  and  sum- 
mer may  be  found  the  charred  remains  of  many  brooding  birds 
and  young  game  animals.  Is  it  too  much  to  hope  that  the 
knowledge  of  this  will  prompt  some  of  them  to  have  a  little 
more  care  about  the  fires  they  build  and  a  little  less  indiffer- 
ence to  the  possible  results  of  leaving  them  unextinguished 
when  they  break  camp?" 

An  examination  of  ninety  reports,  on  game  destruc- 
tion, received,  chiefly  from  lumbermen,  by  my  colleague 
nnd  loval  fiiend.  ]>r.  .1.  T   Ixoihrock.  .nhows  nn  immenso 


33 

los8  of  property  as  well  as  great  desliucliuu  ol  aurnial 
life.  These  fires  uot  only  consume  different  kinds  of 
birds  and  other  wild  animals,  but  domestic  fowls — tur- 
keys especially — occasionally  lose  their  lives  by  them. 
The  Commissioner  of  Forestry,  under  the  direction  of 
Secretary  Edge,  in  July,  1896,  sent  out  a  circular  uiak 
ing  inquiry  as  to  the  extent  of  damage  done  by  the 
forest  fires  which  took  place  as  previously  stated  iu 
May  and  June  of  last  yeai-.  The  iuforination  given  on 
destruction  iu  the  succeeding  paragraph  is  a  summary 
of  what  was  sent  by  those  who  kindly  and  promptly  re 
sponded  to  the"fire  circular."  These  reports  came  from 
tANenty  counties  and  they  represent  about  one-half  of 
the  counties  of  the  Commonwealth  which  suffered  from 
the  ruinous  conflagrations  which  occasioned  fully  one 
million  dollars  loss.  Of  the  ninety  correspondents  all 
but  six  testify  to  great  damage  of  pheasants  or  Ruffed 
Grouse,  which  in  this  State  nest  habitually  on  the 
ground.  Next  in  the  list  we  find  "rabbits"  mentioned 
by  fifty  contributors  as  having  been  destroyed;  41,  tur 
keys  (wild  or  domestic);  18,  squirrels  of  different  kinds: 
14,  quails;  9,  other  birds;  12.  eggs  and  3.  deer. 

FOR    THE    COMMON  WEALTHS    WEAL. 

The  preceding  paragraphs  on  bird-slaughter,  the  mat- 
ter relating  to  forest  fires  and  the  loss  occasioned  by 
them  to  animal-life,  together  with  the  two  or  three 
pages  that  briefly  show  the  enormous  amount  of  loss 
annually  incurred  from  insect  enemies,  although  some- 
what foreign  to  the  subject  matter  of  this  book,  have 
nevertheless  indirectly  an  important  connection  with 
the  interests  of  the  agriculturist  and  poultry  raiscT'. 

There  are  about  212,000  faTiiis  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
probably  every  one  of  the  indi\'idnals  who  resides  on  a 

;i   M 


H4 

farm  is  engaged,  to  a  more  or  less  extent,  iu  raisin;; 
domestic  fowls.  This  being  the  case  it  is  of  the  utmost 
importance,  not  only  for  the  individual  farmer's  ad 
vantage,  but  for  the  general  welfare  of  the  Common 
wealth,  that  every  effort  should  be  made  to  correct  Uw 
popular  prejudice  which  exists,  in  many  localities 
against  diflerent  species  of  our  furred  and  feathered 
tenants. 

WILL    SUFFER   FOR   OUR    BLUNDERS. 

However,  the  lack  of  proper  knowledge,  as  to  the 
true  economic  relations  of  birds  and  mammals,  is,  by 
no  means,  restricted  to  the  agricultunil  people,  as 
lias  been  repeatedly  evidenced  from  the  fact  that, 
on  several  occasions,  barriers  have  been  placed,  by 
officials  (no  doubt  well  meaning  but  certainly  not  well- 
informed),  in  the  way  of  proposed  efforts  to  educat'i 
the  masses  in  different  branches  of  the  natural 
sciences. 

The  fruits  of  such  blunders  are  manifest  now,  and  in 
years  to  follow  the}'^  will  be  much  more  apparent. 
Laboi'ing  under  an  idle  delusion  that  some  of  the 
most  serviceable  birds  to  be  found  about  one's  premises 
iire  injurious,  we  see  men  destroxinu  all  l)a\>ks  and 
owls  tliey  find;  yet  there  are  probably  not  more  than 
ti\('  er  six  u{'  lliese  Itirds  isjiccics)  wiiich  arc  sutticieut  ly 
numerous  in  the  State  to  do  serious  damage  to  domes- 
tic fowls  and  game.  The  fact  that  some  species  of 
raptorial  birds  live  almost  wholly  on  different  forms 
of  noxious  insect-life  is,  seemingly,  unknown  to  the 
great  majority,  and  as  a  natural  sequence  these  sharp- 
eyed  feathered  benefactors  are  killed  with  tne  same 
zest  as  are  their  poultry-gauie-eating  kinsfolk. 

Tlie  sninller  kinds  of  owls  which  loxe  an  insect  diet, 
have,  likewise,  been  liunted  as  eagerly  liy  sralp-hunters 


35 

"for  the  benefit  of  agriculture  aud  for  the  protection  uf 
game,  within  this  Oouinionwealth,"*  as  that  powerful 
night-prowling  poultry  and  game  thief,  the  Great 
Horned  Owl. 

TURKEY    BUZZARDS    SLAIN. 

Turkey  Buzzards  which  subsist  almost  exclusively  on 
carrion,  and  which  because  of  their  great  worth  as 
scavenger  are  carefully  protected  in  southern  States 
by  stringent  laws  and  strong  public  sentiment,  have 
been  wantonly  destroyed  as  they  were  believed  to  be 
"bad  on  chickens  and  young  turkeys."  Probably  if 
the  facts  were  known  the  ''heads  and  ears"  of  these 
dead  vultures  were  worth  at  the  office  of  some  justice 
of  the  peace — a  man,  perhaps,  locally  famous  for  his 
profound  knowledge  of  legal  lore — fifty  cents  each  to 
the  scalp  hunter.  In  addition  to  the  fifty  cents  bounty, 
the  wise  (?)  justice  of  the  peace  received  twenty  or 
twenty-five  cents  for  his  services,  but  the  elector  in 
whose  presence  ''were  burned,"  the  "head  and  ears"  of 
the  "bold,  bad"  buzzard,  whose  alleged  deeds  of  rapin'> 
had  brought  sorrow  into  numerous  poultry  yards  and 
many  dollars  loss  to  the  owners  thereof,  got  nothing  for 
his  signature  and  trouble,  unless,  of  course,  he,  and  th'.> 
slayer  of  the  predatory  (?)  bird  had  some  private  under- 
standing not  contemplated  by  the  act  of  Assembly. 

NIGHT  HAWKS   AND   W^HIP-POOR-KII.LS   KILLED. 

These  practical,  blood-thirsty  manifestations  of  ig 
norance  and  love  of  pecuniary  gain,  have  not.  by  any 
means,  been  confined  to  the  noble  and  ignoble  birds 
of  prey,  and  their  nocturnal  relatives,  the  owl.  Night 
hawks  and  Whip-pooi'-wills,  birds  that  subsist  upon 
winged  Insects  of  most  harmful  habits,  have  been  do- 

*From  section  1  of  "Scalp  Act,"  approved  June  23,  ISSio 


36 

stroyed  as  poultry  thieves.  Oiw.  toiinty  (oinniissioDrr, 
thrice  elected  to  the  office  because  of  his  wisdom,  pni 
dential  and  ecouoinical  ways,  sanctioned  the  paying  of 
bounties  for  nighthawk's  heads.  When  the  commis- 
sioner's attention  was  called  to  the  injustice  of  such 
payments  he  claimed  he  favored  them  because  the 
"blamed  bird  must  be  a  hawk  otherwise  it  would  not 
have  been  named  as  it  was." 

Although  the  framer  of  the  act,  when  he  wrote  "to 
be  paid  for  every  hawk  fifty  cents,"  did  not  evidently 
mean  to  include  nighthawks,  probably  a  legal  decision 
to  pay  for  them  was  strictly  proper.  This  incident 
demonstrated  to  the  writer  the  great  importance  rf 
employing  common  names  for  wild  animals  which 
would  not  be  misleading  as  is  the  appellation  "night- 
hawk." 

SHRIKES  AND  WEASELS. 

The  Shrikes  or  Butcher  birds  which  feed  mainly  on 
large-sized  beetles,  grasshoppers,  other  detrimental  in 
sects,  mice  and  the  pestiferous  English  Sparrow,  have 
been  captured,  it  is  said,  in  goodly  numbers,  and  sold 
for  premiums  in  several  counties  under  the  "catchy" 
but  misleading  names  of  "Little  Blue"  or  ''Little  Bird" 
hawks.  Dr.  C.  Hart  Marriani,  TT.  S.  Dept.  of  Agr., 
Washingt(!'n,  D.  0.,  says: 

"There  are  two  kinds  of  weasels  in  the  eastern  states.  The 
smaller  kind  feeds  chiefly  on  mice  and  insects,  and  is  not 
known  to  kill  poultry.  The  larger  also  preys  mainly  on  mice 
and  rats,  but  in  addition  sometimes  kills  rabbits  and  poultry. 

Both  species  are  friends  of  the  farmers,  for  the  occasional 
loss  of  a  few  chickens  Is  of  trifling  consequence  compared  with 
the  good  that  these  animals  are  constantly  doing  In  checking 
the  increase  of  mice." 

Additional  illustrations  could  be  added  to  further 
em]thasiz('  the  imperative  need  of  a  better  and   more 


37 

general  understaiidiug  of  the  ecouoiuic  relations  of 
birds,  mammals  and  insects,  and  tlie  important  bearing 
such  facts  have,  so  far  as  the  farmer  and  poulterer  are 
concerned,  but  time  and  space  do  not  permit. 

CONTAINS  AN  ABUNDANCE  OF  INSTRUCTIVE  DATA. 

Part  n  of  this  volume  has  been  prepared  in  a  manner 
which,  it  is  believed,  will  prove  in  future  ^ears,  thai 
the  mone.v  ex{x^uded  for  its  publication  has  ueen  well 
spent.  If  this  document  reaches  the  farmers,  for 
wliose  especial  use  it  has  been  written,  and  its  pages 
are  carefully  perused,  they  (or  many  of  them)  can  be 
enlightened  in  various  directions.  In  addition  to  the 
author's  careful  field  observations,  he  has  quoted  freely 
from  numerous  publications  of  the  best  naturalists, 
as  well  as  from  written  communications  of  hundreds  of 
intelligent  and  observant  farmers  and  other  persons 
throughout  this  Commonwealth, 

FOOLISH    AND    EXPENSIVE    LEGISLATION. 

Prior  to  the  passage  of  the  famous  and  odious 
bounty  act  of  June  23,  1885,  which  provided  for  llie 
payment  of  bounties  for  tlie  destrnctiou  of  various 
kinds  of  beneficial  animals,  clothed  either  in  fur  or 
feathers,  as  well  as  some  few  species  of  both  birds 
and  mammals,  which  investigations  of  economic 
zoologists  have  shown  to  be  detrimental  to  the  game 
and  poultry  interests,  hawks  and  owls  were  much  more 
uunierous,  both  in  the  summer  and  winter  seasons, 
than  they  have  been  since  this  "Scalp  act"  was  in  force. 

A  SERIOUS  BLUNDER. 

The  payment  of  nearly  ninety  thousand  dollars  in  a 
period  of  less  than  two  yea  is  by  our  citizens  f<»i'  the 
tieads  of  liawks  and  owls  was  nncjuestionably  a  serious 


bluiider,  and  oue  wliicli  lias  been  I  he  indiicct  cause  ol 
very  ronsiderable  l(»ss  id  ilie  aj^riciilinial  inleresls  of 
our  Commonwealth, 

DON'T  ADVOCATE  UNWISE  BOUNTY  ACTS. 

During  the  past  ten  or  twelve  years  a  large  numbei 
of  our  citizens  have  urged  Pennsylvania's  lawmakers 
to  enact  bounty  or  scalp  acts,  whereby  premiums 
could  be  given  for  the  desti'uciion  of  different  kinds  of 
birds  and  other  animals,  which  it  was  very  generally 
supposed  subsisted  almost  wholly  on  poultry  and  game 
of  different  varieties.  Acts  of  Assembly  in  this  direc- 
tion were  passed  and  it  was  soon  demonstrated  after 
they  were  in  active  operation,  that  the  loss  occasioned 
by  the  killing  of  beneficial  animals  was  much  moi-e 
harmful  than  otherwise. 

BIRDS  OF  PREY  AS  A  CLASS   BENEFICIAL. 

The  note  books  of  the  writer  who  was  authorized  a 
few  years  since  by  Secretary  Thomas  J.  Edge  to  in- 
vestigate the  economic  status  of  the  raptorial  birds, 
for  whose  luckless  "heads  and  ears"  a  premium  of  tlfty 
cents  each  was  paid,  show  that  of  about  50U  of  these 
birds  w^hose  decapitated  bodies  were  obtained  from 
justices  of  the  peace  and  magistrates,  only  G9,  or  a 
little  less  than  one-seventh, were  detrimental  kinds, viz: 
Cooper's  Hawk,  25;  Sharp  shinned  Hawk.  16;  Great 
Horned  Owl,  13;  liarred  Owl.  10;  DucK  Hawk.  2: 
Pigeon  Hawks,  2;  and  Goshawk,  1.  The  remainder 
were  species  which  post-morten  examinations  clearl.'v 
demonstrated  were  of  immense  value  to  aid  in  keepinij 
in  check  the  prolific  and  destructive  field  mice  as  well 
as  several  kinds  of  insects  wliicli  do  great  injury  to 
cultivated  crops. 


39 


ONLY   FIVE    WERE  DETRIMENTAL   SPECIES. 

In  a  period  of  two  dnys  the  writer  obtained  from  uni- 
otticlal  fifty-two  hawks  and  owls  which  had  been 
killed  by  two  hunters  in  a  week's  time  on  the  Brandy 
wine  meadows  near  the  borough  of  West  Chester,  Pa. 
Tn  tliis  lot  were  three  Cooper's  Hawks,  ontr  Sharp- 
shinned  Hawk  and  a  Great  Horned  Owl,  or  a  total  of 
five  birds,  which  subsist  largely  on  poultry,  small  wild 
birds  and  game.  The  i-eniaining  forty-seven  birds  were 
all  of  the  beneficial  group,  namely:  Screech.  Short - 
eared,  and  Long-eared  Owls,  Red-tailed,  Red-shoul 
dered,  Sparrow  and  Rongh-legged  Hawks. 

NAILED    ON    BARNS. 

During  the  winter  of  1SJ)5  and  '96  in  traveling  ovei 
the  State  attending  Farmer's  Institutes,  a  record  was 
made  of  the  birds  of  pie^  and  the  remains  of  other 
animals  to  be  seen  nailed  on  barns  and  other  out 
buildings  and  hei-e  it   is: 


BENEFICIAL. 

Hawks. 

Sparrow,  H. 
Red-tailed,  21. 
Red-shouldered,  (» 
Rough-legged,  ;>. 

Owls. 

Short-eared,  !). 
Long-eared,  7. 
Barn.  2. 
Screech,  fi. 
Saw  whet.   1. 


DETRIMENTAL. 

Hawks. 

(,'ooper's,  2. 
Sharp-shinned,  9. 
(jroshawk,  2. 
Pigeon,  ]. 

Owls. 

Great-Horned,  ."i. 
Barred.  2. 
Suowv,  1. 


40 


OTHER    BIRDS.    ETC. 

lu  additioD  to  the  hawks  aud  owls  particularized  in 
the  two  preceding  eolnnms,  the  remains  of  the  fol 
lowing  species  of  birds  and  other  animals  were  seen 
hanging  to  the  sides  of  barns,  sheds,  &c.: 

Crows,  16.  Northern  Raven,  1. 

Great  Blue  Heron,  4.  "Great  Bittern,  li. 

Blue  Jay,  2.  Grebes,   2. 

Fish  Hawk.  2.  Night  Hawk,  2. 

Kingfisher,  1.  Night  Heron,  'A. 

Green  Heron,  4.  Black      Bear     (Skulls     or 

Foxes,  2.  paws),   8. 

Raccoons,  5.  W'oodchucks,   2. 

Downy  and   Hairy  Wood-  Squirrels,  27. 

peckers,  7.  PiJeated  Woodpecker,  I. 

King  Bird,  I.  Opossum,  3. 

INCREASE    OP   DESTRUCTIVE    RODENTS. 

The  marked  scarcity  in  grass  fields  and  meadow 
lands  during  the  winter  season  (when  these  birds  for 
raerly  were  most  numerous  in  the  farming  districts) 
of  Red-tailed.  Red-shouldered,  Rough-legged  and  Spar- 
row hawks,  and  the  Long-eared  and  Short-eared  owls, 
for  several  years  past,  has  been  the  cause  of  consider 
able  comment  among  thoughtful  and  intelligent  farm 
ers,  who  attribut<'  the  appreciable  increase  in  hordes 
of  ravenous  field  or  meadow  mice  to  the  wholesale 
slaughter,  as  carried  on  under  the  Scalp  act  of  1885, 
of  their  natural  enemies,  the  hawks  and  owls. 

VULTURES.  EAGLES,  HAWKS  AND  OWLS. 

The  following  list  embraces  the  rapacious  birds 
which  are  attributed  to  the  fauna  of  I'ennsylvania. 
This  list  includes  species  which  occur  here  duriny:  all 


41 

reasons  of  the  year,  as  well  as  those  known  a»  uiigrantfi 
and  "strafrglers:" 

THE    BUZZARDS,    EAGLES    AND    HAWKS. 

Turkey  Buzzard  (Cathartes  aura). 

Bald  Eagrle  (Haliceetuti  leucocephaltis.) 

Red-tailed  Hawk  {Buteo  borealis). 

Broad-wing-ed  Hawk  {Buteo  laiiHsimus). 

Marsh  Hawk  {Girous  hudsonius). 

Sparrow  Hawk  (Falco  sparverius). 

Goshawk  {Acciptter  atricapillus). 

Oooper'H  Hawk  (Accipiter  cooperi). 

Sharp-shinned  Hawk  (Accipiter  velox). 

Duck  Hawk  (Falco  peregrinus  anatum). 

Osprey  (Pandion  halicetus  carolinensis). 

Red-shouldered  Hawk  (Buteo  lineatus). 

Golden  Eagle  (Aquila  chrysaetos). 

Pig-eon  Hawk  (Falco  columbarius). 

American   Roug-h-legg^ed  Hawk    (Archibuteo   lagopv^ 
sancti-johannis) . 

Mississippi  Kite  (Ictinia  mississippteneis). 

Swallow-tailed  Kite  (Elanoidea  for/icattis). 

Black  Vulture  (Oatharista  atrata). 

The  twelve  first  mentioned  of  the  eighteen  birds 
named  in  the  atyove  column  breed  regularly  in  the 
Slate.  Of  these,  some,  for  example,  the  Turkey  Buz 
zard,  Goshawk  and  Bald  Eagle,  are  restricted  to  a 
few  localities  or  to  certain  sections  of  the  Common 
wealth,  yet,  nevertheless,  they  annually  rear  their 
families  within   our  borders. 

The  rest  of  this  group,  with,  possibly,  the  exception 

of   the    daring   and    little   dove-eating  Pigeon    Hawk 

(JFalco  columbariu8\   which,  it  is  asserted,  breeds  occa 

sionally   in   certain   of  our  remote  and  higher  monn 

tainous  districts,  occur  in    Pennsylvjini;i   only,   as   mi 


42 

grants,  winter  sojoiiriieis  oi'  cxtraliniitants,  i.  e..  birds 
which  h;ivo  wandered  far  fioni  I  heir  nsnal  jjcoyraphieal 
range. 

THE  OWLS. 

Great  Homed  Owl  {Bubo  virginianus). 

Barred  Owl  {Syrnium  nebulosum). 

Barn  Owl  (Strix  pratincola). 

Screech  Uwl  {Megascops  asio). 

Long-eared  Owl  {Asio  ivilsonianus)- 

Saw-whet  Owl  {Nyctala  acadica). 

Short-eared  Owl  {Asio  accipitrinus). 

Snowy  Owl  {Nyctea  nyctea). 

Great  Gray  Owl  {Scotiaptex  cinerea). 

American  Hawk  Owl  {Surnia  ulula  caparoch). 

Of  this  list  of  owls  the  six  species  lirst  named  in  the 
preceding  column  are  common  residents  (i.  e.,  are  found 
during  all  months  of  the  year)  in  Pennsylvania.  Audu- 
bon once  found  the  Short-eared  Owl  nesting  in  this 
State,  and,  probably,  the  species  may  still  breed  in 
some  secluded  situations  within  the  Keystone  bounda- 
ries. The  three  remaining  species  of  this  owl-group 
come  to  us  at  irregular  intervals  in  winter  time  from 
the  dreary,  cold  and  banen  boreal  wilds. 

Few,  if  any.  of  the  common  and  native  birds  are 
better  known  to  people  in  general  than  are  certain  of 
these  birds  of  prey,  some  of  which  are  rather  common 
at  all  times  or  during  some  period  of  the  year,  in  almost 
evei-y  section  of  the  State, 

These  raptoi-ial  birds  are,  with  the  few  exceptions 
previously  noted,  serviceable  rather  than  detrimental 
and  their  presence  about  our  farm  land  should  be 
encouraged.  There  is  unquestionably  a  strong  preju- 
dice in  the  luinds  of  many  citizens  of  both  the  city 
and  coimtiv  districts  aginst  not  onlv  hawks  and  owls. 


43 

l)Ut  also  uumerous  otliei-  kinds  of  birds  aud  mammals 
which  are  friends  rather  than  enemies  of  the  farmers 
and  fruit-growers.  To  correct  these  popular  and  mis- 
taken notions  is  highly  essential.  The  Department  of 
Agriculture  is  now  engaged  in  collecting  reliable  data 
Ihrougli  competent  scientific  specialists  and  otherwise, 
which  when  published  cannot  fail  to  be  of  great  value 
as  it  will  show  beyond  all  possible  doubt  what  species 
of  birds  and  mammals  are  beneficial  or  hamiful.  Inves 
tigations  in  this  line,  however,  are  necessarily  slow 
as  large  numbers  of  birds  and  quadrupeds  must  be 
collected  in  the  field  and  the  contents  of  their  stom- 
achs examined  most  carefully  before  positive  conclu- 
sions can  be  safely  arrived  at  as  to  their  true  economic 
relations. 

PUBLIC  SENTIMENT  IN  FAVOR  OF  BOUNTIES. 

In  the  early  part  of  February  of  this  present  year  the 
Board  of  Ganit  Commissioners  distributed  several 
thousand  circulars  soliciting,  by  a  series  of  questions, 
information  on  different  subjects  relating  to  game,  the 
seasons  for  taking  the  same,  violations  of  game  laws, 
etc.  Among  these  queries  the  following  concerning 
bounties  and  the  animals  on  which  such  premiums 
should  or  should  not,  in  the  opinion  of  the  corre- 
spondent, be  paid,  appeared: 

"Do  you  favor  the  paying  of  bounties  for  the  killing  of  birds 
and  other  animals  which  destroy  game  and  fish?" 

"What  species  of  hawks,  owls  and  other  wild  animals  do 
you  think  should  be  placed  on  the  bounty  list?" 

These  circulars  were  mailed  to  State  Grange  ofti 
rials  and  all  subordinate  granges  in  the  State;  a  num- 
ber of  Farmer's  clubs:  to  the  various  organizations  em- 
bracing the  Pennsylvania  State  Sportsmen's  Associa- 
tion,  and   to   the   numerous   names   of   representative 


44 

farmeis  Hud  sporlsiiieii  which  appuared  on  lislt*  thai 
the  iiiembei  s  of  tlie  ^euate  and  House*  had  kindly  sent 
the  Game  Commission. 

At  the  present  wi-itiug,  May  20,  1^97,  about  2,000  re- 
plies have  been  received  at  the  office  of  the  Game 
Commission.  An  examination  of  these  answers  on  the 
bounty  subject  reveals  that,  on  an  average,  about 
twenty  persons  to  a  county  made  a  reply,  pro  or  con. 
Two  answers  were  received  from  one  county,  seven 
from  a  second,  and  ten  came  in  from  a  third;  with  these 
and  perhaps  a  few  other  exceptions,  the  answers 
returned  from  the  counties,  ran  in  about  the  following 
proportions:  Adams,  :iO;  Bradford.  22;  Clu'Ster,  25; 
Delaware,  16;  Erie,  27;  Fulton,  20;  Cleartield,  23; 
Crawford  35;  Sullivan,  22;  Mifflin,  26;  Lancaster,  25; 
Luzerne,  30;  Westmoreland,  28;  Lehigh,  35;  North- 
ampton, 37,  and  Tioga,  37. 

The  percentage,  however,  in  favor  of  bounties,  as 
Bhown  by  the  following  columns  of  figures,  is  very 
great,  and  in  view  of  this  sentiment  it  is  not  at  all 
surpi'ising  that  a  bounty  act  recently  passed  the 
House  of  Representatives  with  but  few  negative  votes: 

REPORTS  OF  COITXTIES. 

PercentctQe    Percentage 
Vounty.  for  against 

Bounty.        Bounty. 

AdiHus 90  in 

Allegheny,   S^  l^ 

Armstrong 75^  24^ 

Reaver 75  2^) 

Bedford 100  0 

Merks 75  25 

Blair 91  9 

Bradford S(;J  1.32 

Bucks,    SO  20 


45 

Butler,    83^  UV^ 

(Jambi-iii 100  0 

Cameron,   100  0 

Carbon, 100  0 

Centre,   . 100  0 

Chester,   80  2(» 

Clarion,    91!  8J 

Clearlield,    100  0 

Clinton,    70  24 

Columbia 89  11 

Crawford,    18i  561 

Cumberland 100  0 

Dauphin 87  i  121 

Delaware,    04  30 

Elk 85i  U\ 

Rrie,   75  25 

Fayette,   70  'M) 

Forest,   100  U 

Franklin 100  0 

Fulton 100  0 

Greene,    84  10 

Huntingdon 95  5 

Indiana,  88  ^  Hi 

.Jefferson 85  15 

Juniata,   99  I 

Lac'kawannii 100  0 

Lancaster 90  4 

Lawrence 25  75 

Lebanon 100  0 

Lehigh 78il  2l| 

Luzerne 92?  74 

Lycoming 100  0 

.McKean 100  0 

\fercer 90  10 

Mifflin 98  2 


46 

Monroe,   941  bi 

Moiitgoinerj, S'M  lU'i 

Mod  tour,    KM)  0 

Northampton :>4  G 

Northumberland, 100  0 

Perry,  ..: 100  0 

Philartelphiii 83i  16f 

Pike, 100  0 

Potter,    86  14 

Schuylkill, 100  0 

Snyder, 100  0 

Somerset. 100  0 

Sullivan,   SO  t^^  19.o 

Susquehanna 06§  33J 

Tioga, 801  191 

Union,    100  0 

Venango, 75  25 

Warren, 82  18 

Washington fi8i  mi 

Wayne,    (>3  :{7 

Westmoreland,    85  f  141 

Wyoming,   100  0 

York,    70  ;iO 

By  these  answers  it  will  be  st-en  that  from  iwcniy- 
three  counties  not  a  negative  reply  on  the  bounty  ques- 
tion was  returned.  In  this  connection,  however,  it 
should  be  stated  that  over  one  hundred  circulars,  a 
number  of  which  contained  much  interesting,  and,  in 
3ome  cases,  very  valuable  data,  were  received  at  the 
office  of  the  Game  Commission,  with  no  names  to  indi- 
cate who  had  sent  them.  Such  anonymous  communi- 
cations, as  in  well-regulated  newspaper  offices,  were 
consigned  to  the  waste  basket. 

The  counties,  with  few  exceptions,  from  which  ovei' 


47 

ninety  per  cent,  of  the  answers  are  in  favor  of  boun 
ties,  have  considerable  woodland  and  mountainous 
territory  or  wildland,  where  the  predatory  animals 
are  usually  much  more  numerous  than  in  well  settled 
farming  districts.  Only  two  counties — ^Crawford  and 
Lawrence — show  a  majority  of  answers  in  opposition 
to  bounties.  The  citizens  of  Crawford  county  during 
the  aciive  enforcement  of  the  odious  Scalp  act  of  1885, 
paid  in  a  period  of  about  two  years  about  $10,000,  three 
fourths  of  w^hich,  it  is  reliably  stated,  was  for  "hawks 
and  owls."  This  expenditure  of  the  county  funds 
created  a  strong  feeling  against  such  laws.- as  it  is  as 
serted  that  much  of  this  money  was  o-btained  for  skins 
of  red  squirrels  and  chipmunks  which  were  called 
"minks"  and  "weasels"  and  by  divers  other  sharp  prac- 
tices successfully  employed  to  fool  officials  who  were 
unable  to  recognize  "heads"  and  "ears  '  of  the  genuine 
or  pseudo  kinds  offered  by  the  scalp-hunters  or  ingenious 
SL-alp-maker.  As  nearly  all  districts  along  the  border 
lines  of  the  State  were  made  the  dumping  grounds  to 
pay  tribute  for  the  victims  of  scalp-hunters  in  neigh 
boring  States,  it  is  likely  that  on  account  of  such 
practices  the  greater  portion  of  the  negative  replies 
(75  per  cent.)  were  sent  from  Lawrence  county. 

THEY   FAVOR  KILLING  ALL  HAWKS   AXD   OWLS. 

A  careful  examination  of  the  answers  favoring  a 
bounty  on  birds  shows,  1  regret  to  say,  that  not  over 
fifty,  of  fully  l,.'iOO  persons,  seem  to  be  able  to  distin- 
guish the  beneficial  from  the  harmful  species  of  hawks 
and  owls,  and  as  a  result  of  this  want  of  knowledge 
or  perhaps  it  may  have  been,  and  no  doubt  was,  so  far 
as  some  individuals  were  concerned,  carelessness,  ao 
overwhelming  number  of  i'ei>lies  say.  "bounty  on  all 
hawks  and  owls." 


4S 
START    A    CAMPAIGN    OF    POPULAR    EDUCATION 

Here  again  we  have  another  striking  example  of  tlitj 
urgent  necessity  for  Pennsylvania  to  begin,  not  in 
coming  years  when  our  benettcial  feathered  friends 
are  wiped  out  of  existence,  but  NOW,  a  campaign  of 
popular  education  which  will  correct  erroneous  ideas 
so  generally  cultivated  about  the  raptorial  birds  as 
well  as  many  ather  wild  animals. 

Since  going  over  the  bounty  data  from  all  counties,  I 
feel  it  to  be  a  public  duty  to  prepare  a  report  on  these 
sorely  abused  birds  which  will  enable  every  fair 
minded  individual  who  comes  into  possession  of  this 
document  to  be  able  to  readily  distinguish  every  spe- 
cies of  the  raptorial  bird-kind  credited  to  the  fauna 
of  the  grand  old  Keystone  Commonwealth. 

NO   MORE   CHICKENS'    HEADS    FOR   HAWKS. 

If  bounty  laws  are  desired  by  the  citizens  of  Fenn 
sylvania,  of  course  they  will  probably  be  enacted,  and 
if  county  officials  are,  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties, 
called  upon  to  determine  the  names  of  heads  of  differ- 
ent kinds  of  birds  and  other  animals,  they  should  sure- 
ly have  some  guide  to  aid  them  in  arriving  at  proper 
conclusions.  To  meet  such  an  emergency,  the  conclud- 
ing chapter  in  this  work  has  been  prepared.  This 
chapter  will  certainly  enable  any  justice  of  the  peace, 
county  commissioner  or  magistrate  to  recognize  all 
animals'  heads  which  are  likely  to  be  presented  for 
bounty.  The  heads  of  chickens,  turkeys,  grouse,  Eng- 
lish Sparrows  and  other  birds,  pieces  of  worn-out 
buffalo  robes,  the  skins  of  colts  and  mules  should 
uever,  in  future  days,  be  the  media  of  depleting  coun- 
ties' exchequers  as  they  have  in  former  vears. 


44) 


CHAPTER  II. 


TESTIMONY  FROM  FULLY  ONE  THOUSAND  OB 
SERVERS. 


Estimates  Given  by  Hundreds  of  FAnMBRs  and  Poul- 
try   RviSERS   AS   TO   THE    MoNEY    LosS    ANNUALLY   In 

curbed  to  the  Poultry  Interests  of  Pennsylvania 
Through  Depredations  of  Predatory  Animals. 
What  Several  Hundred  Sportsmen  Say  of  thb 
Poultry-Devouring  Birds  and  Quadrupeds  Which 
They  Have  Found  in  Their  Rambles  Through  For- 
est, Field  and  Marsh.  Numerous  Notes  and  Opin- 
ions Concerning  the  Crow  from  Farmers  and 
Poulterers. 

This  chapter  is  one  of  especial  value,  as  it  is  made 
up  entirely  of  observations  of  practical  farmers,  poul- 
try-raisers, and  sportsmen,  who,  from  many  years'  ob- 
servation, are  qualified  to  spealc  with  accuracy  con- 
cerning the  good  and  bad  habits  of  animals  which  de- 
stroy poultry,  game  and  song  birds,  or,  on  the  other 
hand,  those  which  protect  the  farmers'  crops. 

These  answers  show,  most  conclusively,  that  there 
are  certain  birds,  as  well  as  other  animals,  which  are 
a  source  of  great  loss  annually  to  both  agricultural 
and  game  interests.  It  is,  however,  unfortunate  that 
so  small  a  number  of  the  correspondents,  who  so  kind- 
ly took  the  trouble  to  respond  to  queries  sent  them 
by  the  Game  Commission  and  the  Zoologist,  mem- 
tioned  by  name  the  hawks  and  owls,  which  had  been 
observed   committing  the  numerou.*!  acta  of  violence 

4-n 


50 

cited.  These  records  would  have  beeu  much  more 
valuable  had  such  instructive  data  been  addt'd,  and,  1 
am  quite  confident  the.v  would  have  proven  that  the 
culprits,  in  the  vast  majority  of  cases,  were  one  or  the 
other  of  the  following  species: 

Sharp-shinned  Hawk,  Pigeon  Hawk, 

Cooper's  Hawk,  Great  Horned  Owl. 

Goshawk,  IJarred  Owl. 

IJuck  Hawk, 

The  failure  to  particularize  the  birds  of  prey  by 
their  common  names,  is  due,  in  many  instances,  to  a, 
lack  of  proper  information  concerning  these  grievously 
persecuted  birds.  As  there  can  be  little  doubt  on 
this  score  it  certainly  is  high  time  that  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  if  prompted  by  no  other  reason  than 
that  of  economy,  should  give  wide  circulation  to  this 
and  other  popular  reports  dealing  in  a  plain  way; 
with  the  economic  relations  of  our  wild  animals,  many 
of  which  are  rapidly  disappearing  as  civilization  ad- 
vances. 

For  many  years  the  people  of  the  Keystone  Com- 
monwealth gave  no  attention  whatever  to  the  forestry 
(juestion  and  the  result  has  been  the  loss  of  millions  of 
dollars.  However,  in  the  last  five  or  six  years  the 
gieat  importance  of  this  much  neglected  subject, 
through  the  indefatigable  efforts  of  our  able  and  etti 
cient  Commissioner  of  Forestry,  Dr.  Jos.  T.  Rothrock. 
the  members  o-f  the  Pennsylvania  State  Forestry 
Association,  assisted  by  the  wise  approvals  of  Govern- 
ors, Robert  E.  Pattison  and  Daniel  H.  Hastings,  has 
become  apparent  and  a  strong  public  sentiment  in  be- 
half of  forest  restoration  and  protection  is  the  result. 

In  this  connection  it  should  be  stated  that  the  For- 
estry legislation  gained  up  to  this  point  is  merely  pre- 
paratory  to  the   work   proper.     Tt  provides  the  basis 


51 

and  j^ives  encouragement  bv  \\  liich  the  citizen  and  the 
State  may  work  together  toward  a  common  end. 

It  is  sincerely  hoped  that  this  judicious  work  of  pop 
ular  education  will  not  be  restricted  to  Forestry,  but 
will  expand  widely  and  embrace  the  field  of  Zoology. 
What  would  a  forest  be  without  its  happy,  vivacious 
host  of  sweet-voiced  choristeis  and  other  tenants 
which  keep  in  check  the  hidden  insect  enemies? 

Year  by  year  the  extermination  of  animal-life  goes 
steadily  on,  yet  no  systematic  efforts  are  made  to  coun- 
teract the  unjust  prejudices  entertained  by  the  masses. 
If  the  beneficial  birds  and  mammals,  which  subsist  al- 
most entirely  on  detrimental  forms  of  insect-life,  con- 
tinues for  a  few  more  years,  as  it  has  in  the  past  fif- 
teen, crops  can  only  be  cultivated  with  the  greatest 
amount  of  labor  and  expense.  Even  now,  in  many 
parts  of  this  State,  and  the  same  is  true  of  almost 
every  other  State  in  the  Union,  numerous  crops  could 
not  be  grown  to  maturity  and  profit,  if  it  were  not 
for  the  liberal  use  of  insecticides  which  modern  econ 
omic  entomological  science  has  contributed  to  aid  in 
staying  the  destruction  which  man,  through  ignor 
ance,  has  brought  about  by  disturbing  nature's  bal- 
ance. 

The  total  loss  of  crops  in  some  regions  has  been 
carefully  investigated  and  found  to  be  chiefly  due  to 
the  destruction  of  insectivorous  birds. 

It  is  not,  of  course,  expected  that  farmers,  poulter- 
ers and  sport-smen  should  be  asked  to  protect  the 
harmful  raptorial  birds,  which  are  fully  described  on 
succeeding  pages,  but  it  is  important,  in  numerous 
ways,  that  they  should  have  a  better  general  knowl- 
edge of  many  of  these  birds,  which  they  now  destroy 
on  all  occasions,  under  the  belief  that  they  are  doing 
service,  rather  than  harm,  to  the  poultry,  game  and 
ngricultural  interests. 


52 


WHAT  FARMEKS  SAY   ABOUT  THE  LOSS 
OF  POULTRY. 


ESTIMATES   OF    DAMAGE   BY    HAWKS,   OWLS 
AND  MAMMALS. 


Farmers  and  poultry  raisers  throughout  the  State 
responded  as  follows  to  a  question  sent  out  by  the 
Zoologist  and  which  reads: 

"If  you  are  engaged  in  raising  poultry,  please  state  about 
what  money  loss  you  sustain  annually  from  depredations  of 
animals,  such  as  minks,  wildcats,  weasels,  foxes,  hawks,  owls, 
rats,  etc." 

ADAMS  COUNTY. 

C.   L.   LONGSDORF,  Flora  Dale: 

Never  lose  any,  as  my  poultry  are  securely  locked  In  a 
comfortable  house  at  night. 

L.  M.  LIGHTY,  East  Berlin: 

I  was  engaged  largely  and  never  lost  worth  mentioning,  ex- 
cept by  rats.  They  would  sometimes  kill  chicks.  All  the 
other  so-called  enemies  above  mentioned  never  destroyed  one 
dollar's   worth   for   me. 

DR.    C.    E.    GOLDSBOROUGH,    Hunterstown: 

I  do  not  think  it  would  amount  to  more  than  ten  dollars; 
chiefly  from   hawks  and  crows. 

J.  V.  GARRETTSON,  Flora  Dale: 

Very  difficult  to  estimate.  Considerable  annual  loss  from 
foxes,  rats  and  hawks.  Hawks  are  the  most  destructive 
birds  we  have  on  poultry,  and  unless  the  fowls  are  vers 
carefully  protected  our  yearly   loss   is  heavy. 

PETER   THORN,   Gettysburg: 
Think  from  five  to  ten  dollars  would  be  within   the  limit. 

ROBERT   H.   CURRENS,   Gettysburg: 
Hard   to   tell,   but   thf  prows  are  the   worst 


53 

W.   H.    BLACK,    Flora  Dale; 

We  i-aiBe  about  five  hundred  chickens  annually.  As  we 
use  vermin  proof  coops,   we  lose  few  from  night   depredators. 

Foxes,  one  dollar;  hawks,  five  dollars;  hawks  and  owls 
likely  "pay  their  way." 

J.    M.    BUSHMAN,    Gettysburg: 

My  loss  in  poultry  is  at  least  ttl'ty  dollars  a  year  Iruni 
hawks,  rats  and  weasels. 

ALLEGHENY  COUNTY. 

J.    S.    BURNS,    Clinton: 

Our  loss  is  usually  from  hawks  and  crows,  and  is  done  when 
the  chickens  are  small;  would  amount  to  perhaps  four  or 
five    dollars    per    annum. 

ARMSTRONG  COUNTY. 

D.    W.    LAWSON,   Dayton: 

Our  losses  are  comparatively  small  .from  above  named 
animals— say  from  five  to  eight  dollars  per  annum.  As  a 
rule,  rats  and  crows  are  the  most  destructive;  have  but  few 
foxes  and   owls  in  my  vicinity. 

G.   A.  NEIDL.E,   Parker  Landing: 

Have  been  troubled  more  from  rats  than  any  other  animal; 
some  seasons  have  lost   eight  to  ten  dollars  in  chicks. 

BEAVER  COUNTY. 

HON.    IRA    F.    MANSFIELD,    Beaver: 

We  lose  annually  from  above  named  from  twenty-five  to 
fifty  dollars.  Would  place  average  loss  two  dollars  to  every 
farm  in  Beaver  county.  On  my  farm  we  keep  flock  of  about 
two    hundred    chickens — Leghorns    and    Plymouth    Rocks. 

JEREMIAH  BRITTAIN,  New  Galilee: 

Loss  would  not  amount  to  o^-er  ten  dollars  annually;  prin- 
cipally  from   hawks  and   rats. 

BEDFORD  COUNTY. 

J.   W.   SMITH,   Yellow  Creek: 

Cannot  give  estimate,  but  my  neighbors  and  I  lose  con- 
siderable; mostly  from  minks,  foxes  and  hawks. 

DAVID    HOLDERB.MTM.    Bedford: 
A    few    by    rats. 

KEKKS  (30T'NTV. 

FH1-:D.    H.    I1iiSSLI:H.    Hamburg: 
.At    least    fifty    dollars'    worth 


54 

OLIVER  D.  SCHOCK.   Hamburg: 
Rats  and    cats   destroy   ten   dollars'    uiuth    annually. 

A.   H.   ADAMS,   Jacksonwald: 

I  have  lost  as  high  as  twenty-five  dollars"  worth  a  year 
and  as  low  as  five  dollars,  or  an  average  of  fifteen   dollars. 

A.   M.  YOTING,  Womelsdorf: 
Five  dollars,  through  rats. 

BLAIR  COUNTY. 

HON.   GEORGE  M.   PATTERSON,  Williamsburg: 

Thirty  dollars;  mostly  by  hawks.  Crows  take  many  turkey 
oggs,    and    some   chickens   and   young   turkeys. 

FRED  JACKEL,  Hollidaysburg: 

Have  never  lost  chickens  by  foxes  or  wildcats;  a  few  by 
rats,  through  carelessness;  a  few  ducklings  by  crows;  chicks 
by  hawks. 

J.  W.  BRACKEN,   Hollidaysburg: 

I  live  in  town  and  have  some  poultry.  The  f)nly  Inss  sus- 
tained  is   from  rats  taking  the  young. 

BRADFORD  COUNTY. 

A.   McCABE,   North   Rome: 

I  have  ina,uired  among  the  farmers  who  raise  poultry,  and 
they  say  they  lose  nearly  forty  per  cent,  every  year  from  the 
above  named  animals. 

C.    S.    DAVIS.    Allis    Hollow: 

Breed  high  class  poultry.  Lost  twenty  dollars*  worth  of 
turkeys  year  before  last.  LasJ:  year  about  fifteen  dollars  by 
foxes  and   hawks. 

JACOB    L.    BALL,    Litchfield: 
Twenty  dollars  on  turkeys  and  ten  dollars  on  chickens. 

H.    CHAMPLIN.    Orwell: 

T  am  raising  some  poultry  each  year.  Several  years  ago 
was  troubled  some  with  rats  among  the  young  chickens:  later, 
and  the  last  pest,  was  skunks.  Fnr  the  past  four  years  no 
loss  from  any  animal  depredations. 

A.   E.  HAMILTON,   Potterville: 

Protect  my  poultry  by  wire  netting^  and  have  no  loss. 
Those  who  do  not  use  this  protection  occasionally  lose  all 
their  poultry  by  minks,  skunks  and  foxes.  Turkeys  suffer 
mostlv   bv    foxes. 


55 


BUCKS  COUNTY. 

HON.    H.    W.    RK'E.   Lumberville: 

About  the  only  damage  done  was  by  blue  jays  eating  eggs 
of  hens,   and  also  the  eggs  of  different   kinds  of  wild   birds. 

JAMES   L.   BRANSON,   Langhorne: 

Our  cats  keep  away  the  rats,  but  will  dine  on  chickens  for 
a  change. 

HON.    EASTBURN   REEDER,    New   Hope: 
Ten   dollars;   rats,   crows   and   hawks. 

JACOB    CLEMENS,    Doylestown: 

We  raise  from  two  to  three  hundred  chicTiens;  the  Imss  Cruni 
the  above  would  be  very  low;  about   five  per  cent. 

HARRY  S.  WALTON,  Harts ville: 

I  would  think  at  least  per  year,  about  twenty  dollars;  prob- 
ably   more.      Hawks    are    the    principal    depredators. 

WILLIAM   SMITH,   Richboro: 

Not  troubled  with  anything  but  rats,  and  not  ninth  with 
them.      A    few   cats    will    keep    them    scarce. 

H.  \V.   COMFORT,  Fallsington: 
By  care  in   shooting   crows  we   lose   but    few. 

ASHER    MATTISON,    New    Hope: 
About  five  dollars'  worth. 

BUTLER  COUNTY. 

EDWIN    RAMSEY.    Evans    City: 
Our   loss    does    not   exceed    ten    dollars    per   year. 

W.   H.   H.   RIDDLE.    Esq.,    Butler: 

I  raise  fancy  poultry,  but  have  no  trouble  with  anj-  of 
the  pests  you  mention. 

J.   H.  FAUBEL.  Butler: 
About   fiftj^   dollars.    I   raise   several    thousand    annually. 

R.  a.  GILFILLAN,  Butler: 
Damage  sustained  from   hawks,  abuut  two  dollars. 

ISAAC  H.  CHRISTIE.   Hooker: 
.About    five   dollars. 

CAMBRIA  COUNTY. 

DR.  P.  J.  MANCHER.  Carrolltown: 

Am  not  engaged  in  poultry  raising,  but  know  that  the  dam- 
age and  losses  sustained  by  those  in  that  business  runs  into 
thousands  of   dollars  annually  by  reason   "f  hawk,  mink,    fox. 


S6 

e:tc.     Hope  the  members  from  Cambria  counti    will  supp-Mt  tli^ 
scalp  bill.     Have  written  them  to  that  effect 

\.  P.  SANKER,   Cresson: 

I  raise  about  one  hundred  dollars'  worth  of  young  poultry 
in  connection  with  my  farm.  By  strict  account  last  year  1 
lost  seven  dollars  and  sixty  cents  from  minks  and  two  dollars 
and  forty  cents  from  rats  and  siiunks.  Weasels  do  not 
trouble  my  poultry  when  they  can  get  rats  and  mice,  and  the 
same  is  true  of  owls  and  crows,  which  I  regard  as  my 
friends.  Foxes  are  plentiful,  but  they  live  on  rabbits  prin- 
cipally. 

JOSEPH  A.  GRAY,  Carrolltown: 
An  average  of  sixteen  dollars. 

M.    F.   FARREN,    Ebensburg: 

Loss  from  foxes,  from  twelve  to  fifteen  dollars;  from  hawks, 
fully  five  dollars. 

P.   J.   DIETRICK,    Carrolltown: 

About  fifteen  dollars.  There  should  be  a  bounty  on  foxes, 
hawks,  owls,   etc. 

WM.  FRED.   PIERSON,   Dysart: 

Twenty-five  per  cent,  lost  by  minks;  four  per  cent,  by  hawks; 
about  two  per  cent,  in  eggs,  from  rats  and  five  per  cent, 
in   young  chickens. 

LEIGHTON  ROWLAND.  Vetera: 
One   or   two   dollars'   worth. 

CENTRE  COUNTY. 

MRS.  LOTTIE  K.  KELLER,  Centre  Hall: 
On  an  average  about  fifteen  dollars. 

JACOB    SHARER,    Centre    Hall: 

I  live  near  the  mountains  where  these  depredators  are 
plentiful.    I  lose  annually  about  fifteen  dollars. 

MISS   EDITH    M.    SANKEY.    Potter's   Mills: 

Minks,  none:  weasels,  none,  foxes,  none;  hawks,  about  two 
dollars,  owls,  none;  rats  average  five  dollars;  crows  do  us 
more   damage. 

HON.    LEONARD    RHONE,    Centre   Hall: 
From  three  to  five  dollars,  at  least. 

M.   L.   RISHEL.   Farmer's  Mills: 

About   four  dollars;  mostly   from   hawks. 

WILLIAM    H.   MILLER,  Secretary   Grange   109,    Bellefonte: 

Have  one  hundred  and  forty-one  chicks.  There  are  a  few 
crows  to  contend   with,  and  our  loss  is  small. 


CARBON  COUNTY. 

GEORGJE    T.    WELLS,    Rockport: 
Thirty   dollars. 

CHESTER  COUNTY. 

EDWARD    NORRIS,   West   Chester: 

Do    not    raise    enough    to    make    any    difference,    although 
crows  seem  the  most  annoying  to  the  young  chicks. 

SAMUEL   MARSHALL,    West   Chester: 
Lose  some  chickens  from  rats  and  a  very  few  from  crows. 

JOHN   L.   BALDERSTON,   Kennett  Square: 

I  did  lose  seventy-five  dollars'  worth  per  year  until  I  took 
effective  measures  to  protect   the  half-grown   birds. 

HARRY  WILSON,   Gum   Tree: 

The  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  does  the  most  damage.  One  pair 
In  nesting  period  will  take  about  fifty  to  seventy-five  chicks, 
of  two  and  a-half  to  five  dollars'  value.  Crows,  likewise,  very 
rapacious. 

JAMES   B.   KEECH,    Tweedale: 

Eternal  vigilance  is  the  price  or  cost  of  poultry  with  us. 
Foxes  and  hawks  cause  us  the  most  loss.  We  lose,  I  believe, 
annually  twenty-five  dollars'   worth. 

H.  H.  HODGSON,  New  London: 

I  lose  anually  more  than  fifty  dollars,  principally  by  rats; 
they  become  numerous  periodically;  foxes  are  hard  on  turkeys. 

JOSEPH.  S.  WALTON,  Ercildoun: 
Twenty  dollars'  worth  by  minks. 

EDWARD    T.    INGRAM,    West   Chester: 

Formerly  a  few  by  foxes;  some  small  ones  anrl  eggs  by 
ciows. 

I.  FRANK  CHANDLER,  Toughkenamon: 
Very    few,    indeed. 

FRANK  L.   BURNS,   Berwyn: 
Less  than  one  dollar;  generally  rats. 

JOHN  H.  HICKS,  Avondale: 
About   ten   dollars'   worth   last  year  (1896)   by   crows. 

AUGUSTUS    BROSIUS.    Avondale: 
Raise   hut    few:   am    not    troubled    in   any    way   siigsfHsft-.l. 


58 


CLARION  COUNTY. 

FRANK   KELL,   Kingsville: 

Hawks,  two  dollars;  rats,  unr  dollar.  Indn'idually,  hawks 
are  a  great  pest   in   this   oounty. 

D.   C.   KERR,   Kingsville; 

I  sustain  a  loss  from  above  named  animals  of  twenty  dol- 
lars annually;   principally   from    "hrnwn   hawks." 

JAMES  C.  OGDEN,  Limestone: 

Estimated  loss,  chickens,  twenty  dollars;  tiirke\s.  itii  d.d- 
Irs;   ducks,   five   dollars. 

CLEARPEELD  COUNTY. 

.JOHN    S.    JURY,    Butment: 

We  have  lost  two  large  turkeys  in  the  last  year  by  owls, 
and  not  less  than  twenty  dollars'  worth  of  poultry  every  year 
by  foxes.  We  live  on  the  river  hills,  sixteen  miles  below 
Clearfield. 

HENRY    DOTT.S,    Glen    Hope: 

Last  year  lost  twelve  turkeys,  one-third  grown,  by  a  weasel. 
I  lose  by  hawks,  weasels,  polecats,  etc.  A  fair  average  for  each 
year  would  be  fifteen  dollars. 

JOHN  W.   LEONARD,   Ansonville: 

Our  losses  are  chiefly  from  skunks,  and  have  been  from  ten 
dollars  to  fifteen  dollars  per  year  during  the  past   four  years. 

PHILIP  DOTTS,   Glen  Hope: 

Our  loss  is  not  less  than  five  to  ten  dollars  per  year,  prin- 
cipally  from  hawks,   weasels  and  foxes. 

A.  JUDSON   SMITH,  New   Millport: 

In  the  past  year  have  only  lost  by  skunks;  they  troubled 
me  considerably,  but  after  losing  a  few  dollars'  worth  1 
succeeded  in  shutting  them  out.  Hawks,  weasels  and  minks 
destroy  quite  a  number  of  chickens  in  this  neighborhood  an- 
nually. 

R.  P.  KESTER,  Grampian: 

Minks,  hawks  and  skunks  are  the  most  destructive  agents 
to  chicken  raising  in  our  locality.  I  keep  my  poultry  wpII 
guarded,   so  sustain   little  loss. 

THOMAS   SHIPLEY,  Clearfield: 

I  had  no  loss  last  year.  I  keep  a  good  Cox  houiul  in  my 
enclosure,  a  good  cat  in  the  barn  and  a  good  gun  close  at 
hand,    which    accounts    for   it. 

HARRISON    STRAW,    Kerrmoor: 

We  raise  some  poultry;   about    ten    i>v   twplvp   dollars'    worth, 


51) 

mostly  by  hawks,  skunks  and  weasels.  The  rabbit  does  much 
damage  to  farmers  in  this  section.  The  repeal  of  the  law  pro- 
tecting the  rabbit  would  be  a  great  benefit  tn  farmers  In 
this    locality. 

S.   SAMUEL  HALL,,   McGees  Mills: 
We   lose   an   occasional   chicken   by   hawks. 

CLINTON  COUNTY. 

L.   M.  CASTETTER,   Greenburr: 

I  can  hardly  give  an  accurate  estimate  as  to  money  loss 
annually  sustained.  I  can,  however,  give  you  some  idea  of 
what  money  it  does  cost  me  to  keep  these  animals  from  my 
property,  and  the  best  way  to  do  this  I  And  as  follows:  I 
feed  and  pay  taxes  for  three  good  fox  hounds,  and  have  about 
twenty-five  or  thirty  traps,  and  kill  them,  but  to  do  this  is 
expensive.  I  also  lose  some  poultry,  but  not  so  much,  as  1 
keep  on  the  watch  for  these  animals.  My  loss  is  greatest  from 
the  otter,  mink,  muskrat  and  'coon.  They  are  hard  on  my 
trout,  especially  in  the  winter  when  ice  forms  over  the  ponds 
and  streams.  There  should  certainly  be  something  done  to  ex- 
terminate them,  the  otter  particularly,  for  he  does  great 
damage  to  the  trout,  as  they  spawn  in  the  fall  when  the 
water  is  low  and  are  easily  caught.  It  costs  me  not  less  than 
fifty   dollars,   annually,   to  protect   my   poultry,   trout,    etc. 

DAVID  MAPES,  Beech  Creek: 
Between  five  and  ten  dollars  annually. 

COLUMBtA  COUNTY. 

HON.    AV.    T.    CREASY,    Catawissa: 

From  thirty  to  forty  dollars"  worth  are  lost  from  hawks. 
Crows  do  some  mischief,  but  nothing  in  comparison  to 
hawks. 

R.   G.   F.   KSITINKA,   Berwick: 

From  hawks  and  owls  the  loss  would  probably  amount  to 
two  dollars  per  annum.  Since  keeping  collie  dogs  have  lost 
no  poultry  by  minks,  weasels  and  foxes.  Before  my  losses 
amounted  to  from  fifteen  to  twenty-five  dollars  per  annum 
from    these   animals. 

A.   P.   YOUNG,   Millville: 

Minks,  weasels,  foxes,  owls  and  rats  do  very  little  damage. 
Last  year  we  lost  probably  ten  dollars'  worth  of  young 
chickens  and  turkeys  from  hawks  and  crows;  most  of  it  is 
chargeable  to  crows. 

J.    P.   WELSH,    Bloomsburg: 

I  am  part  owner  of  a  poultry  farm  eight  miles  distant. 
Loss  per  year  as  above,  about  two  dollars.  Have  special 
protection    from    rats   and    all    nocturnal    marauders. 


THOMAS    SEABORNE.    NewUn: 

Last  year  from  minks,  five  per  cent.;  from  rats,  two  per 
cent.;  hawks,  none;  foxes,  none,  and  weasels  one  per  cent. 

HON.   EDWARD  M.   TEWKSBURY,   Catawissa; 

Lose  but  little  poultry.  Hawks  are  somewhat  troublesome; 
king  birds  keep  hawks  from  our  premises. 

OKAWFORD  COUNTY. 

MRS.  J.  R.  HEAD,  Saegerstown: 

The  average  poultry  raiser  probably  loses  two  or  three 
dollars'  worth  by  hawks  and  a  few  more  than  that  by  rats. 
Do  not  believe  that  crows  will  take  fowls;  it  is  only  imagina- 
tion by  those  who  say  so,  and  that  those  supposed  to  be 
taken  by  crows  are  taken  by  hawks  which  the  crows  pursue. 

HON.   C.   A.    STRANAHAN,    Spartansburg: 

From  twenty  to  fifty  dollars.  In  our  locality  the  loss  is 
mostly   from   hawks,    owls   and    rats. 

LUTHER  GATES  &  SON,  Beaver  Centre: 

Have  considerable  poultry;  rats  do  most  damage;  next  hawks, 
then  owls;  a  little  from  weasels.  Think  ten  dollars  wo\ild 
cover  our  loss. 

HON.   J.   B.   PHELPS,    Conneautville: 

Hawks  and  rats  destroy  the  most  poultry;  rats  are  the 
worst.    Amount  destroyed  at  least  five  dollars  per  year. 

SAMUEL  A.   MILLER,    Linesville: 

Minks,  one  per  cent.;  weasels,  one  per  cent.;  hawks,  thirteen 
per  cent.;   owls,   twelve  per  cent.;   rats,   twelve   per  cent. 

I.  B.  BIDDLE,  Saegerstown: 
From  six  to  ten  dollars'  worth  by  hawks,  owls  and  rats. 

W.  H.   SEWARD,    Rundell: 
Three  dollars. 

JAMES   TURNER,    Meadville: 
Five  dollars'   worth. 

H.   J.    TOWER,    Beaver    Center: 

I  am  not  extensively  engaged  In  the  business  and  meet  with 
scarcely  any  loss  except  by  rats,  perhaps  from  two  and  a 
half   to   five  per  cent. 

F.    H.    POTTER,   Steamburg: 
Only  a  small  loss  and   that   from   hawks  and   nwls. 

F.    L.    LORD,    Conneautville: 

Some  of  my  neighbors  have  lost  nltif-tenths  of  sinins  hatches 
from    hawks    and    rats. 


61 


CUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

HENRY    S.    RUPP.    Rhiremanstown: 
Probably  five   dollars'    worth. 

ELK  COUNTY. 

W.  H.  JOHNSON,  Benezette; 

I  keep  from  thirty  to  fifty  fowls.  Sometimes  hawks  take  a 
few— one  to  five  dollars'  worth  per  year. 

ERIE  COUNTY. 

ROBERT  DILL,   North  East: 
Twenty-five  dollars  worth  from  rats  and  hawks. 

H.   F.   ARNOLD,    Corry: 

My  loss  is  about  five  dollars  from  hawks  per  year. 

A.   A.   HAMMOND,   Corry: 

I  live  on  the  flats  of  French  Creek  and  keep  one  hundred 
and  fifty  hens.  Depredations  have  not  been  over  five  dollars. 
Rats  are  not  the  worst  things  to  fight. 

F.   E.   FENTON,   North  East: 
Once   in   a  while  one  by   hawk   or   rat. 

H.   C.   HAYES,   Godard: 

Greatest  loss  is  from  rats;  would  say  about  twenty-five 
per  cent.  Crows  do  less  damage  than  any  of  the  animals 
named.  Crows  take  some  eggs,  but  they  do  more  good  than 
harm,  and,   like   the  skunks,  destroy  lots  of  mice  and  insects. 

FAYETTE  COUNTY. 

LOUIS   F.   ARENSBERG,    M.   D.,    Heistersburg: 

We  lose  about  half  of  our  poultry  through  foxes'  depreda- 
tions, and  a  few  by  hawks.  Cannot  raise  any  turkeys  on 
account  of  foxes.  We  raise  between  three  and  four  hundred 
chickens  per  year.  Am  unable  to  give  estimate  of  money  loss 
incurred    annually. 

HON.  GEORGE  W.  CAMPBELL,  Normalville: 

I  sustain  a  loss  of  probably  twenty  dollars  annually.  Hun- 
dreds of  dollars  are  lost  every  year  in  our  township  from  these 
animals. 

WILLIAM    W.     PARSHALL,     Uniontown: 
Probably  about  ten  dollars,   by  either  minks  or  weasels. 

T.    J.    STURGIS.    Morris   Cross   Roads: 

This  depends  largely  upon  location,  as  to  your  remoteness 
from   creeks,   rivers,  mountains,   etc.     With   me   the  percentage 


62 

of    loss    is    quite    low,    owing    to    remoteness,    as    above    noted. 
Five  per  tent,  will  cover  all  loss. 

JESSE   O.    ALL<P:N,    Uniontown: 

Raised  poultry  for  six  years.  No  loss  Ironi  minks,  weasels 
foxes,  hawks  or  owls,  as  there  are  none  in  our  section.  Lost 
four  or  five   per  cent,    by   rats. 

FOREST  COUNTY. 

SAMUEL  D.   IRWIN,   Tionesta: 

Lost  none  myself;  have  an  average  flock  of  twenty  chickens 
each  year;  neighbors  have  lost  on  edge  of  town.  Foxes  come 
down  from  their  homes  in  rocks  and  kill  chickens  occasionally; 
hawks  kill  small  chicks  every  season;  would  say  that  the  an- 
nual damage  in  Tionesta  borough,  at  low  valuation,  is  one 
hundred  dollars;  country  districts   much  larger,  of  course. 

FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 

HON.  W.  W.  BRITTON,  Upper  Strasburg: 

Not  worth  mentioning;  rats  are  about  the  only  depredators 
that    annoy    us. 

H.   B.   CRAIG,  Welsh   Run: 

I  farm  and  raise  some  poultry,  but  do  not  make  it  a  special 
business.  I  would  place  my  loss  from  above  enemies  at  about 
fifteen   dollars. 

FULTON  COUNTY. 

W.  L.   MORELEY,  Well's  Tannery: 

We  lose  about  half  of  our  young  poultry  by  rats,  skunks, 
owls,  minks  and  oats;  about  fifty  dollars'   worth  annually. 

D.  W.  CROMER,  Fort  Littleton: 

Am  not  engaged  in  poultry  business,  but  the  above  named 
are  very  destructive  to  domestic   fowls  and  game  in  woods. 

GEORGE    LEHMAN,    Lashley: 

We  keep  about  one  hundred  hens;  also  several  turkeys. 
Our  money  loss  last  year  was  about  seven  dollars,  mostly  from 
hawks.  Our  neighbors  have  sustained  heavy  losses.  I  consider 
the  hawk  a  most  destructive  bird  on  poultry.  In  winter  hawks 
will  destroy  whole  flocks  of  quail. 

W.  C.  BAUMGARDEN,  Well's  Tannery: 

I  lose  a  great  deal  each  season;  about  ten  to  fifteen  dollars' 
worth.     Hope  scalp   bill   will   pass. 

JOSEPH   DARLTON,    Warfordsburg: 

Last  year  three  dollars'  woith  of  chickens  by  skunks  and 
six  dollars'   worth  of  turkeys  and  settings  of  eggs  by   foxes. 


63 

PETER    MOSTON.    Pleasant    Ridge: 

Some  in  the  vicinity  lose  considerable  by  hawks  and  foxes. 
My  loss  is  small;  will  not  exceed  one  dollar  and  a  half. 

GREENE  COUNTY. 

B.   F.   HERRINGTON,   Waynesburg: 

About  two  and  a  half  dollars.  There  are  2,9:i6  farmers  in 
the  county,  and  I  think  the  average  loss  per  farm  would  bp, 
at  a  very  low  and  conservative  estimate,  two  dollars  each. 

J.  A.   HAPEL,   Waynesburg: 

Hawks  destroy  about  twenty-five  dollars'  worth  of  my 
poultry  every  year. 

HUNTINGDON  COUNTY. 

GEORGE    S.   APPLEBY,   Decorum: 

I  believe  that  ten  per  cent,  of  all  the  poultry  owned  and 
raised  during  any  year  is  destroyed  by  the  above  named,  but 
hawks   are   the   most   destructive    to   young   poultry. 

MILES   BECK,   Warrior's   Mark: 

Would  average  from  five  to  ten  dollars  yearly;  all  done  iiy 
hawks  and  foxes. 

JOHN   D.   ENYEART,   Shirleysburg: 

Fifteen  dollars;  hawks  are  the  worst;  crows  are  alsu  very 
bad. 

J.   PETER   SNYDER,    Huntingdon: 

Would  estimate  my  loss  from  above  mentioned  causes  frnni 
twelve  to  fifteen  dollars. 

W.    M.   BENSON.    Huntingdon: 

Crows  do  serious  damage  by  stealing  eggs  and  taking  the 
young  of  domestic  fowls.  They  very  frequently  catch  and  de- 
stroy young  chickens  even  more  than  the  hawks.  When  hens 
nest  out  of  doors  the  crows  hunt  for  and  feed  on  the  eggs. 
The  premium  should  be  raised  on  hawks,  minks,  weasels, 
foxes,  owls,  etc.,  to  double  what  it  is.  Few  persons  think 
it  worth  while  to  bother  looking  after  such  for  the  mean, 
paltry  sum  paid  them  for  their  trouble'  Destroy  the  English 
Sparrow. 

GEORGE    W.    OWENS,    Birmingham: 

Minks,  foxes  and  wildcats  are  not  numerous  here  and  do  us 
little  damage:  rats  are  sometimes  very  destructive;  crows 
take  some:  one  kind   of  hawk   takes   many   and   owls   a   few. 


64 


INDIANA  OOUNTY. 

JOSEPH    MOOKHEAD,    Blairsville; 

Keep  one  hiuidred  hens  within  Jporough  limits;  lost  some  ten 
dollars'  worth  by  rats  and  cats  last  three  years.  Others  have 
had  greater  losses. 

P.  M.   HODGE,  Blairsville: 

Five  dollars  from  rats  and  skunks  on  two  farms  with  which 
I  am  connected.  One  near  woodland  of  some  extent. 

J.  R.  BASH,  Cookport: 
About  ten  dollars  annually. 

W.  P.  LEAM,  Cookport: 
About  five  dollars  anually. 

GEORGE  HENRY,   Cookport: 
About  five  and  a  half  dollars. 

PETER    LEAM,    Cookport: 
Five   dollars. 

JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 

KMMA  C.   McGAREY,   Stanton: 
Have   no   trouble  with   any   of   llie   abovo    naniP'l. 

K.   M.  t.'ORBITT,   Corsica: 

Our  losses  from  the  above  iianiL-d  animals  liave  been  very 
slight  in  the  last  few  years. 

JOHN  H.  JOHNS,   Brookville: 
We  lose  a  g-ood   many  by  hawks. 

JUNIATA  COUNTY. 

W.   H.   KROUSE,   Swales: 

No  loss  last  year  other  than  a  few  turkeys  killed,  presum- 
ably by  foxes,  and  a  number  of  little  chicks  by  rats  and  hawks. 
Amount  of  damage,  possibly  five  dollars. 

WILLIAM     A.    THOMAS,     MifHintown: 
About   ten   dollars'   worth. 

DENNY   M.    MARSHALL,    Walnut: 
Five    dollars. 

WELLINGTON     SMITH,     Mifflintown: 
Very  little;  not  over  five  dollars. 

H.    C.   HOWET,   Mifflintown: 
In    the  neighborhood   of  thirty    dollars   per   year. 


rt5 

G.   S.    L.UKiiJNS,  Jiast  Salem: 

About  ten  dcllars'  worth  annually. 

J.  W.  MILLIKIN,  Honey  Grove: 

I  am  engaged  in  raising  poultry  and  lose  a  great  dnal  every 
year  by  the  above. 

SAMUEL   SCHLEYD,    East    Salem: 
Four  dollars. 

J.    T.   AILMAN,   Thompsontown: 
Very  little;  possibly  some  from    hawks  and   rats. 

WILLIAM  P.  BELL,  Reed's  Gap: 
About   five  dollars. 

LACKAWANNA  COUNTY. 

F.   L.  BENJAMIN,   Kizcrt;: 

About  one  year  ago  I  commenced  to  raise  poultry  o!i  a 
small  scale.  Have  suffered  no  loss  from  the  above  named 
animals   to   my  knowledge. 

MICHAEL  FOLEY,   Mount  Cobb: 

We  are  not  in  the  business  very  extensively,  but  lose  on  an 
.average  about  ten  dollars'  worth. 

LANCASTER  COUNTY. 

JOHN   H.    EPPLER,    Elizabethtown: 

While  farming  my  losg  probably  was  twenty  dollars  every 
yaar.  Here  in  town  I  raise  but  few  and  have  no  loss  other 
than  from  rats,  which  we  destroy  as  soon  as  we  know  of  their 
presence. 

M.   BROWN,   Wakefield. 

From  three  to  four  dollars'  worth;  mostly  from  minks,  foxes 
and  opossums. 

WILLIAM   M.   MAULE,   Collins: 

Our  loss  has  been  light  of  late  years;  probably  has  not  ex- 
ceeded ten  dollars  from  foxes,  minks,  etc. 

JOHN    KREADY,    Mt.    Joy: 

My  loss  is  a  few  dollars;  have  my  poultry  confined  generally. 

HON.  JOHN.  H.  LANDIR,  Millersville: 
I  lose  about  ten   dollars   pei-  year  from   rats. 

J.  G.   RUSH,  West  Willow: 
R.Tts  and  hawks  destroy  a  good   deal. 

5-Tl 


m 


LAWRENCE  COUNTY. 

LEE   McCOMB.  Hillsvllle; 

My  loss  would  amount  to  about  twciity  linllars  per  ypar  by 
weasels,   hawks,   owls  and   rats. 

HON.  A.  L.   MARTIN,   Knon   Valley: 
My  loss  per  year  would    not    l>o   less   than    fi\<'  dnjlars. 

JOHN  MONTGOMERY,   I'lanegrove: 

We  suffer  more  from  the  depredations  nl'  the  ground  hog 
and   rats  than  all   the  others  put   together. 

LEBANON  COUNTY. 

L.    S.    HOFFMAN,    Schaefferstown: 

Hawks,  owls  and  rats  probably  destroy  fully  ten  per  cent, 
of   my  poultry   annually. 

JOHN   3RENDLE,   Shaefferstown: 

About  five  per  cent,  from  rats,  weasels  and  long-tailed 
hawks. 

E.  BOMBERGER,    Lickdale: 

The  most  destructive  of  the  above  named  are  the  hawk  and 
the    crow;    cannot    tell    loss. 

I.   S.   LONG,   Richland: 
No  loss  from  foxes,   minks  or  wildcats;   some   from  hawks. 

LUZERNE  COUNTY. 

D.    K.    LAUBACH,    Fairmount   Springs: 

We  generally  lose  about  one-half  or  three-quarters  that 
we  get  hatched.  One  year  we  had  forty-five  turkeys  killed 
by  animals.  We  weighed  one  that  was  killed  and  it  weighed 
six  pounds.  They  were  all  killed  in  one  day  but  fifteen,  the 
old  hen  among  tlie  killed.  This  was  done  by  a  weasel. 
My  neighbor  had  twenty-seven  little  chicks  carried  off  by 
small  hawks  one  morning. 

THOMAS    O.    ROBERTS,    Freeland: 

I  breed  fancy  chickens  worth  ten  dollars  a  pair.  Weasel 
killed  in  one  night  twenty-one  chickens  and  one  duck.  My 
neighbor,  Lewis  Young,  lost  by  a  weasel  in  three  nights 
fifty-six  common  chickens.     He  killed   the   weasel. 

LEWIS   H.   KOCHER,   Ruggles: 
My   anual   loss   is   not   more    than   five    dollars. 

F.  F.  MORRIS.  Dallas: 

There  are  some  minks,  weasels  and  skunks,  but  tlu'  bulk 
of  the  damage  sustained  by  me  results  from  rats  and  an 
overproduction  of  cats.     Annual  loss,  two  dollars. 


67 

DAVID  J.   LINSKILL,   Plymouth: 
We  lose  some  by  rats  and  house  cats. 

P.    SUTTON.    Exeter: 

Lose  some  by  skunks;  crows  occasionally  take  eggs  and 
young  chickens.  When  a  mink  or  weasel  gets  into  a  hen  house 
ho  cleans  out  the  whole  "kit," 

LYCOMING  COUNTY. 

HON.  JOHN  W.  KING.  Fairfield  Center: 

It  is  impossible  to  give  you  the  exact  figures,  but  would 
place  my  loss  at  nci  less  than  ten  dollars  per  annum. 

J.   P.   VANDINE.   Lairdsville: 

Yes,  twenty-five  dollars  would  not  cover  loss  by  minks, 
hawks,  owls  and  skunks  during  last  year. 

A.    C.   HENRY,   Hughesville: 

Yes,  by  rats  more  than  any  other;  some  loss  by  hawks,  but 
in  the  vicinity  of  Hughesville,   Pa.,  there  is  very   little  loss. 

PETER   REEDER,   Hughesville: 
Losses  are   small;  raise  but  little  poultry. 

JACOB   HEIM,    Hepburn: 

Have  never  kept  any  account,  but  we  lose  some  every 
year. 

TVIcKEAl«f  COUNTY. 

C.   W.   DICKINSON,   Norwich: 

Flock  of  about  forty  on  an  average.  I  lose  about  two  dol- 
lars' worth  of  chickens  annually;  shut  up  poultry  at  night, 
so  am  not  bothered  with  owls  and  foxes. 

BURDETTE  DICKINSON,    Colegrove: 

Do  not  raise  poultry,  but  farmers  in  this  vicinity  lose  from 
two  to  two  and  a  half  dollars  annually.  Hawks  do  most  of  the 
killing. 

N.  H.  PARKER,  Gardeau: 

I  keep  dogs  that  protect  my  fowls  from  foxes  and  minks; 
the  hawks  I  shoot.  I  hear  complaints  from  my  neighbors 
about  foxes  and  minks. 

MERCER  COUNTY. 

ROBERT  McKEE,  Mercer: 
Ten   per  cent. 

R.   K.   P.AKER,    Sandy   Lake: 
About   two   dollars. 


68 

JOHN    P.    ORR,    Mercer: 

Don't  know  of  ever  losing  a  cliickeii  fmni  an.\  «(  tfu'  nbo\p 
rauppp;   only  iNiiso  about   fifty   a   year. 

MIFFLIN  CO  LI  XT  V. 

H.    A.    SPANOGL.E,    Lewlstown: 

Last  year  abom  six  dollars'  worth  by   rats. 

ANDREW  SPANOGLE,  Lewlstown: 
Perhaps  eight  or  ten  dollars:   mostly   by   minks  and   rats. 

HON.  GRUBER  H.  BELL,  Lewlstown: 

Not  many,  but  the  above  never  bother  much,  except  minks 
and  hawks  on  young  chicks. 

S.    A.    HERTZLER,    Belleville: 

Not  engaged  extensively,  but  being  located  close  to  woods 
I  must  keep  a  sharp  lookout  to  save  any  on  account  of  foxes 
and  hawks. 

JOHN   A.    CAMPBELL,    Belleville: 

In  poultry,  perhaps  five  dollars,  but  the  expense  and 
trouble  of  guarding  against  foxes,  skunks  and  the  big  horned 
owl   is  considerably  more. 

MONROE  COUNTY. 

LUTHER    MICHAEL,    Shawnee: 
My   losses   by   hawks  and  owls   are    ten    dollars   yearly. 

TOWNSEND   PRICE,    Canadensis: 

My  annual  loss  would  average  not  less  than  ten  dollars. 

HON.   R.   F.    SCllWARZ,   Analomink: 

Have  lost  none  for  some  years,  as  I  have  wire  yard  near 
house   and    keep    dogs. 

MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 

GEORGE  W.   RIGHTER,  Abrams: 
Ten  dollars;  mostly  rats  and  crows. 

WILLIAM  W.  POTTS,   Swedeland: 

I  raise  about  one  hundred  chickens  each  year  and  do  not 
lose  any.  I  tie  the  hens  to  a  box  and  shut  them  up  at 
night. 

R.   M.   TYSON,   King  of  Prussia: 

Crows  are  especially  destructive  of  young  poultry  and  turkey 
egg^;  cannot  estimate  the  amount. 


«9 
MONTOUR  COUNTY. 

EL.l^A   V.  BJTLER,  Ottawa: 

From  depredations  of  hawks  and  crows,  about  five  dollars; 
minks,  weasels,  owls  and  rats,  about  ten  dollars,  and  we  only 
laise  poultry  on  the   faim   to  a  small  extent. 

W.   M.    GEARHART,    Danville: 

About  ten  dollars.  An  opossum  destroyed  twenty  dollars' 
worth   in   1895. 

W.  D.  SIEINBACII.  Liintstoneville: 
Comparatively    none. 

NORTHAMPTON  COUNT¥. 

A.    L.    SHIMER,    Redingrton: 
Crows  and  hawks  ten  dollars. 

R.    O.    RITTER,    Hanoverville: 
About   ten   dollars'   worth. 

NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

J.    O.    GIFFEN,    Montandon: 

L.ast  year  v.'e  losi  a  gieat  many  young  chicks  liy  tats  -aim. i; 
three  hundred,  I  should  judge. 

S.   H.   DEAN,   Mt.    Carmel: 
About  thirty  dollars,  chiefly  from  rats. 

D.  G.  MOYER,  Greenbrier: 

I  lose  about  fifty  dollars'  worth  a  yeai-,  or  nearly  one-half 
of  all  I  raise. 

C.    M.    SLEAR,    Northumberland: 

About  ten  dollars'  worth,  chiefly  by  hawks,  owls  and 
crows. 

A.  G.  MARR,  Shamokin: 

The  only  loss  I  sustain  in  that  line  is  through,  the  depreda- 
tions of  hum.'iu  fii:imals.  Some  scamps  last  Saturday  stole 
the  last  two  that  were  left. 

JOHN  C.  FOULK,   Schuyler: 

Have  no  loss  from  hawks  or  any  cause,  but  hear  my  neigh- 
bors complain  a  good  deal  about  losing  poultry  by  hawks. 

PERRY  COUNTY. 

SIL^S   "WRIGHT.    Reward: 
Estimated   ten   dollars'   wortli 


70 

D.    KISTLEK,    Kistler: 

My  loss  is  trifling.  We  lieep  our  poUltry  in  close  houses  at 
night,  but  the  average  loss  to  our  farmers  can  be  put  down  at 
five  or  ten   dollars  each. 

MILTON    ESHELMAN,    Newport: 
None.     We  are  close   to  tovi'n. 

R.    M.    ALEXANDER,    New    Bloomfield: 

Our  loss  Is  chiefly  from  rats  and  cats;  don't  raise  many; 
lose  twenty-five  or  thirty  chickens  in  a  year  from  visits  of  rats, 
cats  and  hawks. 

PHILADELPHIA  COUNTY. 

HON.  SAMUEL  CROTHERS.  1407  Filbert  street,  Philadelphia: 
When  I  wns  a  boy  my  trust  was  to  watch  the  poultry.     TliP 
Red -tailed   Hawk    used    to    carry   away   a   good   many    young 
turkeys,  etc.     The  crow  also   took  some. 

PIKE  COUNTY. 

NELSON   DEWITT,    Rowland: 

Wildcats  and  raccoons  are  the  worst  enemies  of  the  feathered 
tribe.  My  loss  in  money  from  them  can  easily  be  estimated  on 
an  fiverage  a:,  ten  dollars  per  year;  some  years  it  runs  ashighas 
twenty  dollars.  Wildcats  also  kill  young  deer,  and  around 
swamps  are  very  destructive  of  rabbits  and  pheasants.  My 
opinion  on  foxes  destroying  pheasants  would  be  (taking  into 
consideration  eggs  and  young  which  they  destroy),  fifty  pheas- 
ants per  year,   for  each   fox. 

HON.   LAFAYF.TTE    ROWLAND.    Rowland: 

All  the  abov?  are  destructive;  wildcats  and  raccoons  are  also 
noxious  and  should  be  exterminated  (even  if  we  admit  that 
Noah  had  them  along  in  his  ride).  When  the  female  fox  has 
her  young  she  not  only  preys  on  domestic  poultry,  but  eats 
eggs;  also  young  and  old  birds.  Foxes  destroy  thousands  of 
pheasants  here  annually.  My  money  loss  in  poultry  annually 
is  fully  five  dollars. 

JUSTIN  NILES,   Edgemere: 

I  had  in  the  woods  of  my  vicinity  a  pheasant's  nest  and  was 
waiting  for  a  bantam  hen  to  be  ready  to  take  the  eggs. 
When  I  sent  yesterday  for  the  eggs  there  was  nothing  left 
of  the  nest  but  a  bunch  of  feathers.  A  fox  had  made  a  meal 
of   the   whole. 

POTTER  COUNTY. 

SAMT'ET>  HAVEN  GLASSMIRE.   Coudersport: 

Skunks  are  my  worst  enemies.  My  fowls  suffer  from  ih>'ir 
invasions  to  the  pxtenf  nf  about   ten  dollars  annually. 


71 

E.  O.   AUSTIN,   Austin: 

Occasionally    had    chicliens    caught      by     hawks     and     owls. 
Probably    two   dollars  annually. 

CHARLES  FRAUB,  Germania: 

Our  community   is   troubled    mostly    by     foxes     and     hawks. 
The  money  loss  I  cannot   tell. 

SCHUYLKILL  COUNTY. 

A.    F.    KIMMEL,    Orwigsburg:. 
Lose  annually   fifty   dollars. 

\V.  H.  PTOT'T,   Fine  Grove: 

Had  a  few  ducks  destroyed  by  minks,  and  used  the  ducks 
to  destroy   the  minks. 

SNY^DER  COUNTY. 

HENRY  NOYES.  Salem: 

Not  engaged  largely  in  raising  poultry.  Think  our  loss  is 
about    twenty-five    dollars    annually. 

SOMERSET  COUNTY. 

.lEREMIAH   S.   MILLER,   Husband: 

At  prices  we  get  would  say  about  five  to  eight  dollars" 
worth,    by   hawks,   crows   and   minks. 

PETER  MILLER,  Somerset: 

Keep  les.=  than  a  hundred  fowls;  lose  probably  twenty  per 
cent,  of  the  raising  by  minks  and  hawks. 

DR.   H.   D.    MOORE.   New   Lexington: 

I  raise  poultry  on  a  small  scale.  I  have  never  lost  any 
poultry  except  by  skunks,  and  none  by  tliem  for  several  years 
past.  I  guard  against  them  by  raising  the  coops  over  a  foot 
from    the   ground. 

SULLIVAN  COUNTY. 

A  letter  dated  April  8,  1S97.  was  received  from  Mr.  M.  J. 
Phillips,  Muncy  Valley.  Sullivan  county,  Pa.  He  says:  "I  hope 
you  will  be  able  to  help  Hon.  B.  W.  Jennings  to  get  a  bill  put- 
ting a  bounty  on  hawks,  as  they  are  very  destru(^tive  to  our 
young  poultry.  They  will  dive  right  down  in  the  yard  and  take 
our  chickens,  turkeys  and  ducks.  "Weasels  and  foxes  do  the 
same,  and  they  destroy  the  young  of  quail,  and  the  pheasant 
.'ind  other  birds  and  their  eggs.  We  would  have  plenty  of  quail 
and  pheasants  around  our  fields  and  woods  if  these  depredators 
were  exterminited,  I  think  the  bounty  should  be  fifty  cents 
each  on  hawks,  weasels  and  owls,  nnd  foxes,  one  dollar:  then 
lots  of  people  would  hunt  them. 

There  is  a  bounty  now  on  foxes,  and  there  aie  some  men  whi> 


72 

liunt  iheiii.  l)Ul  wt-  sullei  greatly  rium  these  animals.  About 
all  the  income  a  man  derives  now  from  his  farm  is  from  his 
cows  and  poultry.  We  lost  greatly  last  year  from  poultry- 
destroying  animals,  and  our  neighbors  have  suffered  as  we  do 
from  the  visits  of  foxes,  hawks  and  weasels.  We  lose  ten  dol- 
lars or  more  annually.  Try  and  help  us  out.  Don't  forget 
the  weasel  as  he  robs  the  nest  of  the  quail  and  the  pheasant." 

JOHN   C.   WITSON,   Sonestown: 

Foxes,  one  dollar;  minks,  one  dollar  and  a  half:  hawks,  one 
dollar. 

T.    S.    SIMMONS,    Sonestown: 

I  raise  considerable  poultry  and  lose  from  ten  to  twenty 
dollars'  worth  every  year,  principally  by  minks,  hawks, 
weasels  and  owls. 

L.  B.  SPEAKER,  Hillsgrove: 

Weasels,  none;  depredations  of  minks,  eight  per  cent.;  foxes, 
six  per  cent.;  hawks,  three  per  cent.;  owls,  one  per  cent. 

SUSQUEHANNA  COUNTY. 

E.    A.    WESTON   and   E.    L.    WESTON,    Brooklyn: 

Sometimes  none,  sometimes  considerable,  according  to  other 
food    supplies   for    these   depredators;   say    ten    dollars    on    an 

average. 

DK.    H.    A.    TINGLEY,    Susquehanna: 
Not  a   dollar. 

TIOGA  COUNTY. 

M.   SORNBERGER,   Job's   Corners: 

I  do  not  make  a  business  of  raising  poultry,  but  hawks 
and  crows  take  about  twenty  per  cent,  of  the  young  of  what 
I   do   have. 

D.    S.    DOUGHERTY,    Austinburg: 

Only  raise  a  small  amount  of  poultry.  Insect  parasites  and 
tame  cats  are  more  destructive  to  my  poultry  than  the  ani- 
mals fwhich  destroy  about  five  dollars'  worth  annu.ally) 
named  in  the  postal  you  sent  me. 

W.   H.   WHITING,  Wellsboro: 
About   ten-  per  cent,   of  stock   (young)   from  skunks. 

A.   J.    DOAN,    East   Chatham: 

I  am  engaged  In  raising  poultry  In  a  small  way;  lose  a  few 
chickens.      They    are    taken    by    hawks    and    rats. 

n.    L..    HOYT.    Elkland: 

The  above  commit  very  few  depredations  in  this  neighbor- 
hiiod.   b)if   gangs  of  hoys  and   young  men   (so-called)  steal   and 


73 

"roast"  chickens  and  turkeys  from  farmers.  In  some  cases 
this  loss  is  from  three  to  five  dollars  each.  This  is  a  fad  with 
a  class,   and   we   would   shoot   them,   but   are  asleep. 

UNION  COUNTY. 

JOHN   A.   CAMPBELL.  Belleville: 

Perhaps  five  dollars,  but  the  expense  and  trouble  of  guarding 
against  foxes,  skunks  and  the  big  horned  owl  is  considerably 
more. 

GEORGE  E.  LONG,  Lewisburg: 

I  have  never  lost  any  poultry  by  anything  but  rats  and 
disease. 

J.    A.   GUNDY,    Lewisburg: 
Think   very   few;   mostly  young   birds. 

WARREN  COUNTY. 

WALTER   M.    SHULER,    Warren: 
I  lose  some  poultry  every  year;  chiefly  from  hawks. 

N.    P.   MORRISON,    Tidioute: 

I  do  not  raise  poultry  to  a  very  great  extent;  only  about 
a  hundred  per  year.     Loss  does  not   exceed   five   dollars. 

W.   B.   HALE,    Ackley   Station: 
About   ten   per   cent. 

CLINTON   MILLER,   Tidioute: 

From  two  to  five  dollars'  worth,  mostly  from  hawks  ami 
owls. 

P.  N.  ROBINSON,  Scofield: 

Yes,  only  by  hawks;  probably  ten  or  twelve  small  chicks 
during  the  spring  and  summer.  I  am  not  in  favor  of  bounties; 
the  boys  will  kill  them  just  the  same. 

W.  W.  WILSON,   Ackley  Station: 

I  do  not  lose  any  to  speak  of;  not  a  dollar's  worth  in  five 
years.  Never  heard  of  such  a  thing  as  crows  stealing  eggs 
and  catching  the  young  of  domestic  fowls.  I  think  the  crow 
is  like  some  men,  "he  has  got  a  bad  name."  The  crow  and 
the  English  Sparrow  are  both  useful  birds. 

WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 

JULIUS    LEMOYNE.    W^ashington: 

I  keep  flock  of  about  one  hundred  chickens.  Think  the 
average  loss  annually  will  not  exceed  five  dollars;  most  of  that 
from  hawks. 

PHE.'^SI.Y   LEECH.    Bulger: 

From    twpntv   to    twentv-fivp   dollars     worth 

5» 


74 


WAYNE  COITNTV. 

PETEH  COREY,   Newfoundland: 

I  think  twenty  per  cent,  is  a  reasonable  estimate  of  damage 
to  poultry  by  minks,  weasels,  foxes  and  hawks  for  me  and 
all  people  in  this  section  of  countiy.  Skunks  are  also  very 
troublesome. 

WESTMORELAND  COUNTY. 

M.  K.  LAIRD,  Livermore: 

Loss    during    past    year    about    two    dollars;     mostly     from 
hawks. 

T.  RUTH,  Scottdale: 
Four  dollars,  by  hawks. 

WYOMING  COUNTY. 

N.  P.   STERLING,   Meshoppen: 

About  five  dollars,  and  that  mostly  from  rats;  we  can 
gnard  against  other  animals  by  housing. 

NELLIE   LOVE,   Meshoppen: 
Minks,    five   dollars;  skunks,    two  dollars. 

W.   N.   REYNOLDS,   Tunkhannock: 

Am  not  in  the  business,  but  from  inquiry  learn  that  the 
loss  is  greater  from   hawks  than   any   other  source. 

YORK  COUNTY. 

HON.   GERARD  C.   BROWN,   Y'orkana: 

Perhaps  twenty  dollars  per  year;  chickens,  ducks  and 
turkeys. 

JAMES  G.   PATTERSON,   Stewartstown: 
More   than   fifty   dollars   annually. 

H.    S.    TYSON,    York: 

Hawks  should  be  destroyed,  as  they  devour  much  poultry 
and  game. 

SAMUEL  SMALE,   York: 
Lose   some   from    depredations   of   hawks. 

OTHER  STATES. 

R.   B.   &  C.   H.   DAYTON.   Remsenburg,  Suffolk   county.   N.   Y.: 

Principal  loss  by  rats;  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty 

dollars  Tftstimflted)  nnnuallv.     Sli.ta:ht    loss  h\  hnwks.   minks  and 


opossums.      Crows    do    good    service    in    attacking    and    driving 
away    hawlvs,   doing   more   good    than   liarm. 

N.    P.    HARKY,    Whiteford,    Hartford    county,    Md.: 

About  ten  or  fifteen  dollars  yearly  from  minks,  hawks  and 
skunks.  Mr.  Harry  adds  as  a  foot-note:  "This  and  the  other 
questions  you  sent  were  submitted  to  the  Pen  Mar  Farmers' 
Club,  and  the  answers  given  fairly  express  the  individual 
opinions  of  nearly  all  its  members,  as  well  as  my  own." 


OBSERVATIONS    OF    FARMERS    AND    SPORTS- 
MEN. 


"Please  give,  if  you  can  from  personal  observation,  instances 
of  where  game,  fish,  poultry  or  song  birds  have  been  destroyed, 
and  also   name   kind  of  animal   committing  the   depredation." 

In  reply  to  this  request,  the  following  answers  were  received 
at  the  offlce  of  the  Game  Commission: 

ADAMS  COUNTY. 

E.   D.    STOVER.    Cashtown: 

The  hawks  and  foxes  kill  off  the  quail  in  winter.  Skunks 
will  kill  more  rabbits  than  the  hunters.  These  animals  destroy 
much  poultry. 

H.  J.  LEREW,   Biglersville: 

Much  poultry  is  destroyed  by  hawks,  owls,  crows,  minlis, 
weasels,   skunks,  wild  cats  and  foxes. 

SAMUEL    HALL,    Trust: 

Poultry  and  game,  as  well  as  the  song  birds,  suffer  from 
the  wildcat,  fox,  red  and  gray  squirrels,  weasels,  hawks  and 
owls. 

AARON  SCHLOSSER.  Arendtsville: 

Depredations  of  a  grave  character  are  committed  in  our 
poultry  yards  by  foxes,  minks,  weasels,  hawks  and  owls. 

J.  P.  TAYLOR,  Arendtsville: 

When  I  was  hunting  on  South  Mountain  this  winter  ('96.1, 
I  saw  several  rabbits  that  had  been  caught  and  killed  by 
a  fox,  and  some  pheasants  that  had  been  similarly  treated  by, 
to  my  judgment,  a  iiawk. 

WILLIAM    BUSHMAN.    Gettysburg: 

Have  seen  poultry,  game  and  song  birds  destroyed  l>y  the 
crow,  different  species  of  hawks,   minks  and  weasels. 


76 

JAMES  BILLINGER.  Parkers  Landing; 

Have  seen  where  many  rabbits  have  been  killed  by  uwls 
and  hawks.  Have  known  opossums  to  catch  and  kill  full- 
grrown  pheasants,  etc. 

J.    W.    EICHHOLTZ,    Gettysburg: 

Have  seen  hawks  commit  considerable  dt-predatiuns  in  the 
poultry  yard,  catch  quail  and  other  birds. 

S.    McECHOLTZ,    Arendtsville: 

Have  seen  depredations  among  poultry,  game  and  song 
birds,  from  fox,   mink,   wvasel.  hau^  and   the  owl. 

E.  MORRIS  BUSHMAN,  Gettysburg: 

Have  seen  crows  sucking-  pheasants'  and  quails'  eggs,  weasels 
killing  rabbits  and  Cooper's  Hawk  eating  poultry. 

J.  M.  KESSELRING,  Biglersville: 

Hawks  and  crows  are  very  hard  on  young  chicks;  have  lit'leii 
seen  them  catch  them;  also  birds,  and  have  seen  them  rob  the 
nest  of  eggs. 

Z.   TIPTON,  Biglersville: 

Depredations  of  an  extensive  kind  are  committed  upon  poul- 
try, game  and  song  birds  by  the  wildcat,  fox,  mink,  weasel, 
hawk,  owl,  skunk  and  crow. 

H.  F.  YOUNG,  Gettysburg: 

Hawks,  owls,  minks,  weasels  and  skunks  are  a  menace  to  our 
poultry,  game  and  song  birds. 

JAMES  LAURER,   Cashtown: 

Have  seen^  poultry,  pheasants  and  rabbits  destroyed  by 
foxes,   hawks   and   owls. 

J.  CALVIN  THOMAS,  Arendtsville: 

Many  such  depredations  to  poultry  and  game  have  been 
brought  to  my  observation,  but  space  will  not  permit  me  to 
narrate   theii. 

C.  A.  REBERT,   Cashtown: 
Deer  by  dogs. 

JOHN  R.  BITTINGER,   Hanover: 

All  along  the  mountain  regions  generally  these  animals  com- 
niit  considerable  depi-edations   upon  poultry   and   game. 

L.  H.   MEALS.   Gettysburg: 

I  have  known  a  weasel  tu  kill  whole  nests  of  rabbits  in  uii^- 
night  or  day,  also  kill  the  old  ones.  Have  shot  hawks  in  the 
act   of   catching  quail,    larks   and    chickens. 

AKMSTROXG  COUNTY. 

J.    L.    HELD.    Neale: 

.Minks,   \vHas.-ls.  skunks,   foxes,   crows  and   othtrs. 


77 

WILLJAM   CROSBY,    Leechburg: 
Red  or  pine  squirrels  and  weasel. 

DR.  L.   W.   SCHNATTERL.Y,   Freeport: 

I  know  personally  of  foxes,  minks  and  weasels  destroying: 
our  game  birds  and  game,  and  the  polecat  and  ground  hog 
destroying  the  eggs  and  nests  of  pheasants  and  quail. 

DR.   C.  JESSUP,   Kittanning: 

Hawks  are  the  most  destructive  on  poultry,  pheasants  and 
quail,  killing  many;  have  caught  them  in  the  act.  Foxes  are 
also  very   destructive. 

W.   K.  COLBER,   Leechburg: 

I  have  personally  known  of  instances  where  the  chicken 
hawk,  bird  hawk,  hoot  owl,  weasel,  mink,  skunk  and  fox  have 
destroyed  poultrj',  game  and  song  birds.  The  skunk  destroys 
the  eggs  of  pheasants  and  quail. 

ALLEGHENY  COUNTY. 

JESSE  B.  JONES,   Pittsburg: 

Poxes  are  destructive  to  poultry  and  game.  I  know  of  two 
men  who  trapped  from  25  to  30  foxes  each  year.  They  got 
76  cents  bounty  and  from  75  cents  to  $1.00  for  the  hide.  They 
went  to  considerable  trouble  and  baited  the  traps  with  a  whole 
chicken.    After  the  bounty  was  taken  off  they  stopped  trapping. 

D.  P.   CORWIN,   Pittsburg: 
Snakes  destroy  a  great  many  birds  which  nest  on  the  ground. 

GU STAVE  A.  LINK,   Pittsburg: 

I  have  only  seen  the  hawk  destroy  Song  Sparrow  and  Wood 
Thrush. 

J.  W.  HAGUE,  Pittsburg: 

Hawks  killing  song  and  game  birds,  owls  with  rabbits,  .-unl 
have  known  weasels  to  kill  chickens. 

BUCKS  COUNTY. 

SETH   WALTON,  New   Hope: 

Hawks,  weasels  and  minks  destroy  many  chickens  and 
pigeons. 

H.  H.  RANATT,  Pipersville: 

Have  seen  crows  take  my  chickens  and  minks  catch  my 
ducks. 

A.  J.  SNYDER,  Plumsteadville: 

Have  seen  poultry  taken  by  large  and  small  or  pigeon  hawk; 
also  saw  hawk  catch  quail. 

HARRY    S.    WALTON,    HartsviUe: 

Poultry  is  largely  destroyed  by  hawks  and  orows,  and  they 
(ieetrov  many  small  wild  birds. 


78 

PRANK   E.    HESTON,    Rushland: 
The   chicken   hawk  commris   great    depredations. 

THOMAS   SCOTT,   Bristol: 

Some  Italians  of  this  county  are  given  credit  for  shooting 
warblers,  robins,  catbirds,  or  anything  that  will  go  in  a  pot. 

ARTHUR  CHAPMAN,  Doylestown: 

Instances  are  so  numerous  of  such  depredations  that  there 
is  not  room  to  particularize. 

LEWIS  H.  CLEMENS,  Doylestown: 

The  worst  enemy  the  song  bird  has  is  the  crow,  who  eats 
the  eggs  and  the  small  birds  when  hatched;  will  destroy  a 
whole  nest.  I  have  opened  young  crows  and  found  the  stom- 
achs contained  the  feet  of  small  birds,  especially  robins. 

A.  S.  WEAVER,  Hartsville: 

Foxes  and  hawks  commit  numberless  depredations  on  poul- 
try and  wild  birds. 

BRADFORD  COUNTY. 

CHARLES  B.  TAYLOR,  Alba: 
Skunks,    weasels,    minks. 

J.  F.  AMMERMAN,  Saco: 

In  this  section  the  hen  hawk  destroys  a  large  amount  of 
poultry. 

ASYLUM  GRANGE,   Duvall: 

Have  noticed  instances  where  grouse  and  quail  have  been 
killed  by  foxes  and  owls.  Domestic  fowls  are  also  often  killed 
by  these  and  other  wild  animals. 

A.  J.  STACY,  Leona: 

The  chicken  hawk  and  crow  steal  young  chickens,  and  rob  the 
nests  of  birds  soon  after  they  hatch. 

W.  F.  DITTRICH,  Towanda: 

Have  seen  hawks,,  skunks  and  the  house  cat  destroy  poultry, 
birds,  etc. 

W.  W.   McCAIN,   Stevensville: 

The  occurrences  are  too  frequent  to  admit  of  details.  I  have 
personal  knowledge  of  many  hawks,  owls,  skunks,  weasels, 
minks,  foxes,  'coons  all  do  their  share. 

JAMES   A.    HAWTHORNE,   Windfall: 

Have  known  the  hawk,  mink  and  weasel  to  destroy  poultry, 
etc. 

C.  B.  WHIPPLE,  LeRoy: 

1  have  seen  where  foxes,  weasels,  minks,  hawks  and  owls 
have  caught  poultry,   pheasants  and   weasels. 


71) 

D.   F.   LEWIS,   Gillett: 

Mink  destroy  quail.  I  have  caught  the  fox  with  pheasant  and 
rabbit,  the  weasel  with  rabbit  and  the  owl  with  rabbit. 

J.   H.  HAMAKER,   Editor   Daily   and    Weekly  News,  Athens: 

Have  seen  foxes'  tracks  in  the  snow,  in  two  instances,  where 
they  led  to  the  remains  of  ruffed  grouse. 

GEORGE  C.  CORNELL,,  Col.,  Cross  Roads: 

Have  seen  poultry  destroyed  by  hawks  and  skunks;  birds  by 
hawks  and  crows,  and  ground  birds  by  skunks  and  snakes. 

J.  BENSON  WRIGHT,  East  Canton: 

I,  on  one  occasion,  followed  a  wildcat  who  dug  up  and  ate 
two  whole  rabbits,  rabbits  that  he  evidently  had  killed  and 
buried  some  time  before. 

S.  W.  CLARK,  LeRoy: 

Have  seen  hawks  catching  chickens,  catbirds,  robbing  birds' 
nests  and  weasel  killing  rabbits. 

N.   A.  WELLS,   Wyalusing: 

From  tracks  in  the  snow  I  have  seen  where  foxes  had 
pounced  on  rabbits  and  on  grouse;  have  also  seen  hawks  eat 
grouse. 

THEO.  PIERCE,  Canton: 
I  have  seen  where  foxes  have  eaten  pheasants  or  grouse. 

BUTLER  COUNTY. 

W.   WATSON,    Sarversville: 
Foxes  have  made  depredations  on  poultry. 

C.  B.   McFARLAN,   Argentine: 

Have  seen  crows  robbing  the  nests  of  song  birds  and  quail; 
have  known  them  to  rob  nest  with  eighteen  egg.s  in  it. 

L.  A.   SCOTT,  Sarversville: 

Hawks  kill  large  amount  of  quail;  the  mink  ami  other  an- 
imals  kill   rabbits^ 

J.  C.  SNYDER,  West  Liberty: 

I  have  seen  the  fox  kill  poultry  many  times  and  carry  th" 
same  away.    Weasels  will  kill  a  whole  nest  of  young  birds. 

F.  D.  COLBERT  and  Others,  Butler: 

The  chicken  hawk  has  been  the  greatest  destroyei-  in  my 
observation.  Have  frequently  seen  them  catch  quail  and  song 
birds. 

ROBERT   McBRIDE,   McCandless: 

The  chicken  hawk  is  the  worst  enemy  we  have  to  our  |>oiil- 
try  and  song  birds.  I  have  also  seen  the  Sparrow  Hawk  take 
a  small  bird  on  the  wing. 


so 


BEAVER  COUNTY. 

WlLi,lAM   M.  BOYLE.  New   Brighton; 
Have  seen  quail  and  other  small  birds  caught  by  hawks. 

W.  N.   McNAIR,   Beaver  Falls: 

Chicken  hawks,  large  owls,  the  fox,  minks  and  weasels  de- 
stroy poultry,   game  and   song  birds. 

J.   A.   SNYDER.    Beaver  Falls: 
I  have  seen  the  large  chicken  hawk  catch  and  kill  quail. 

A.   H.   CLARKE,   New   Brighton: 

Poultry,  game  and  song  birds  are  destroyed  by  minks,  rats, 
foxes,  skunks,  weasels,  snakes  and  the  common  house  cat. 

BLAIR  COUNTY. 

W.   F.   TAPPAN,   Altoona: 

Have  seen  blue  hawk  attack  and  kill  pheasants;  also  have 
known  foxes  to  have  committed  the  same  deed;  have  found 
their  nests  torn  up,  etc. 

WILLIAM  VAN   ALLMAN,  East  Sharpsburg: 

The  skunk  will  hunt  the  eggs  in  the  laying  season  of  the 
quail  and  wild  turkeys,  but  they  suffer  in  winter  from  the 
fox  and   hawk. 

DR.   A.   L.   SPAXGLE,   Altoona: 

Have  seen  red-tailed  hawks  with  grouse  in  their  claws,  spar- 
row hawks  with  woodcocks,  minks  in  a  chicken  coop.  Butcher 
bird  impale  a  Field  Sparrow  on  a  thorn  bush,  wildcat  with  rab- 
bit, and  where  fox  had  caught  rabbit;  also  where  skunk  anri 
mink   had  killed   rabbit. 

FREDERICK  JACKEL,   Hollidaysburg: 
Hawks,  weasels  and  squirrels  take  eggs. 

EDWARD  KOTTMANN,   Altoona: 

Have  seen  the  kingfisher  on  numeious  occasions  get  troui : 
al.so  seen  the  Red-tailed  Hawk  capture  poultry,  quail  ami 
grouse;  witnessed  the  grouse  caught  by  blue  hawk  also. 

S.  H.  DEAN,  Williamsburg: 

I  have  frequently  seen  hawks  catch  partridges,  poultry  him) 
song  birds. 

MATTHEW    CALVIN,    Hollidaysburg: 

Polecats,  minks  and  weasels  destroy  our  poultry,  song  anil 
game  birds. 

M.  D.  YOUNG,  Hollidaysburg: 

The  foxes  in  our  county  destroy  much  game,  both  by  killing 
the  birds  and  driving  them   away   while  hatching 


81 

G.  G.   ZK'J'H,    Altoona: 

Have  seen  instances  too  numerous  to  mention  while  afield; 
wild  cats  and  foxes  especially. 

W.    G.    HICKS.    Tyrone: 
Many  rabbits  are  destroyed  here  by  foxes. 

WILLIAM    L.    SAXDS,    Altoona: 

I  know  of  turkeys,  chickens,  pheasants  and  rabbits  to  have 
been  killed  by  foxes,  skunks  and  hawks. 

H.  M.   LEIGHTY,   Poplar  Run: 

The  fox,  weasel,  hawk  and  owl  destroy  poultry,  game  and 
song  birds. 

BEDFORD  COUNTY. 

JACOB  ZOOK,  Saxton: 

Foxes,  skunks,  minks,  hawks  and  owls  are  very  destruclivp 
to  poultry,   game   and   song   birds. 

GEORGE  W.  YONT,  Osterburg: 

Hawks  after  poultry;  smaller  birds,  etc..  and  red  squirrel 
after  the  gray  squirrel. 

SAMUEL  J.  KEITH,  Woodburg: 

Polecats  are  quite  destructive  on  fowls;  foxes  hunt  up  and 
destroy  various  birds. 

S.   H.    KOONTZ,    Cessna: 

Hawks  and  large  owls  after  poultry,  etc. 

THEO.  B.  POTTS,  Alum  Bank: 

I  have  seen  owls  catch  and  kill  a  wild  full-grown  rabbit, 
and  hawks  kill  birds  and  chase  gray  squirrels.  Foxes,  minks, 
skunks  and  measles  are  very  destructive  to  poultiy  night  or 
day. 

BERKS  COUNTY. 

EDWARD    LAWRENCE,    Reading: 
Have  seen  haAvks  killing  birds  and  poultry. 

O.    HINNERSHITZ,    Blandon: 

Reported  instances  of  poultry  being  destroyed  by  minks, 
weasels,  foxes  and  hawks. 

CHARLES  M.   MINNICH,   North   Heidelburg: 
Have  seen  hawks  destroy  poultry,  etc. 

PETER  DEXTER,  Reading: 

Poultry,  song  birds,  quails  and  pheasants  destroyed  by  fox, 
hawks  and  owls. 

>;  II 


82 

C.    W.    KKTTKUEK.    Stouchsbuia;: 

In  my  observations  ha\'e  seen  the  Cuopei's  Hawk  destio.x 
yuail  and  pigeons;  Red-tailed  Hawk,  poultry,  mice  and  rabbits. 

CYRUS  J.  RHODES,  Kutztown: 

Hawks  destroying  poultry,  etc.  The  domestic  dog  lunning  at 
large   is   a   nuisance. 

CHESTER  COUNTY. 

A.    C.    RAMSEY.    Cream: 

Skunks,  opossums,  weasels  and  minks  destroy  our  poultry  in 
large  quantities. 

ABRAM   STOUTS.   Lincoln   University: 

Have  frequently  seen  hawks  destroy  much  small  game  and 
killed  them  in  the  act;  also  foxes. 

FRANCIS  JACOBS,  West  Chester: 

On  the  Brandywine,  and  through  the  country  generally,  game 
and  poultry  suffer  from  the  ravages  of  polecats,  weasels, 
minks  and  certain  species  of  hawks. 

JOS.  E.  GILL,  Barnsley: 
Have  known  hawks  to  destroy  a  whole  covey  of  quail. 

JEREMIAH  PROCTER,  Lincoln  University: 

Poultry,  game  and  song  birds  are  destroyed  by  the  fox, 
opossum,  raccoon,  owls  and  hawks. 

FRANK    D.    DURBOROW,    Oxford: 
Chicken  hawks  destroy  poultry. 

W.  G.  WEST,  Sylmar: 
Hawks  and  foxes  destroy  much  poultry  and  game. 

J.  B.  KEECH,  Tweedale: 

I  have  always  regretted  the  repeal  of  the  Act  of  Assembly 
paying  a  bounty  for  hawks'  heads.  I  know  they  are  extremely 
destructive  to  poultry.  From  personal  observations  I  fiimly  be- 
lieve that  a  few  hundred  dollars  paid  out  for  hawks'  heads 
would  prevent  the  loss  of  many  thousands  of  dollars'  worth 
of  poultry  in  the  southern  end  of  Chester  and  Lancastfi- 
counties. 

DR.  ROBERT   FARLEY.  Phoeni.xville: 
Have  seen  hawks  kill  rabbits  and  quail. 

H.  L.  BUCK  WALTER,  Spring  City: 

Several  varieties  of  hawks  and  the  weasel  destroy  much 
poultry  and  game. 

COLUMBIA  COUNTY. 

H.  H.  BROWN.  Light  Street: 

Poultiy,  game  and  song  birds  aie  deslr>>\t'i|  by  tish  ami 
chicken  hawk,  spanow.  mink,  weasel  and  skunk 


S.3 

VV.    II.    SNYDER.    Bloumsburg. 
Saw  recently  where  fox  caught  a   ralihit. 

W.  B.  SNYDER,  Roaring-  Creek: 
Hawks,   minks  and  weasels  aie  destroyers  of  young  poultry. 

A.  P.    YOUXG,    Millville: 

Have  known  skunks  and  crows  to  rob  the  nest  of  the  tuikey. 
quail    and   pheasant. 

MILES  EVKRHART.  Secretary  Waller  Grange,  Divide: 
Skunks  and  minks  destroy  much  poultry. 

CHAS.    E.    RANDALL,    Secretary    Oatawissa    Fish    and    Game 

Protective   Association.    Catawissa: 

Poultry  by  opossums  and  skunks;  quails  by  hawks,  owls  and 
cats;  pheasants  by  foxes  and  skunks;  rabbits  by  foxes,  weasels 
and  cats,  and  quails"  nests  destroyed  by  red  squirrels,  the 
eggs  being  eaten. 

J.   T.  WILSON,   Millville: 

Weasels,  hawks  and  large  owls  destroy  chickens,  and  the 
crow  will  kill  young  song  birds  and  eat  the  eggs. 

B.  F.   FRITZ,   Divide: 

The  farmers  lose  much  poultry  by  the  depredations  of  cer- 
tain hawks  and  some  other  animals. 

R.   G.   F.   KSHINKA,   Berwick: 

To  my  personal  knowledge  poultry  and  birds  are  destroyed 
by   weasels,   skunks,    owls  and   hawks. 

CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 

PERRY  BIXBY,  Spartansburg: 

The  mink  and  muskrat  commit  serious  depredations  on  fish, 
and  the  hawk,  owl,  weasel  and  skunk  are  very  destructive  of 
poultry  and   birds. 

ISAAC  WHEELOCK,    Townville: 

Have  seen  hawks  catch  our  song  birds  and  also  destroy  their 
nests.     Poultry  is  caught  by  hawks,  owls,  weasels    and  minks. 

CHARLES  DAY',  Spartansburg: 

Have  seen  wild  birds  and  poultry  destroyed  by  hawks,  owls 
and  weasels. 

C.  A.  SJRANAHAN,  Spartansburg: 

Many  instances  too  numerous  to  mention  by  Sharp-shinned 
Hawk,  Cooper's  Hawk,  mink,  weasel,  ferret  and  large  owl. 

H.   E.  BLAKESLEE,   Spartanburg: 

Poultry,  game,  etc.,  destroyed  by  the  mink,  weasel  and 
ferret. 


84 

F,   A.    MAIiVt  I'l'T.    Secretary   Rudolph   (irang.-.   (Juys   Mills: 

Hen  hawks  bother  our  neighborhood  to  quite  an  extent;  also 
mink,     possums,    skunks  and    weasels. 

J.  H.   SEAVY.   Hayfield  Grange,   Saegerstowii ; 
Poultry,  etc.,  destroyed  by  hawks,  owls,  etp. 

C.   F.   EMERSON,   Titusville: 

Have  observed  minks  carrying  trout  just  caught;  blue  jays 
eating  song  birds'  eggs.  Have  occasionally  found  remains  ot 
grouse   which  I  judged   to  be   killed   by   fox. 

C.  BROOKS,  Conneaut  Center: 

Have  seen  the  Cooper's  and  Sharp-shinned  hawks  many 
times  ca.tch  small   chickens. 

GEORGE  P.  RYAN,  Longs  Stand: 

Having  always  lived  in  the  country  and  been  a  hunter,  I 
might  give  hundreds  of  cases  where  owls,  hawks,  foxes,  skunks, 
opossums,  minks  and  weasels  have  killed  game,  most  all  kinds 
of  birds  and  poultry.  The  crane  destroys  more  fish  than  king- 
fishers, and  the  German  carp  more  than   all. 

C.    A.    BURCHARD,    Black   Ash: 
Hawks. 

G.  W.   CUTSHALL,   Guys  Mills: 

We  have  had  some  chickens  killed  by  hawlis,  but  they  have 
also  destroyed  many  meadow  mice  and  snakes. 

W.  G.  SARGEANT,   Meadville: 

Owls  and  hawks  destroy  young  game  birds— have  seen  it — 
and  also  young  chicks  taken  from  the  barnyard.  Mammals  do 
little  damage  to  fish,  except  the  mink,  and  they  are  rare. 

SPRINGBORO  ROD   AND  GUN   CLUB,   Springboro: 

A  number  of  cases  where  chickens  were  killed  by  weasel.s. 
skunks,  foxes  and  muskrats;  have  also  found  the  Meadow 
lark,  pheasants  and  quail  destroyed;  also  their  eggs,  by  the 
above   named   animals. 

A.    A.   GRAFF,    Linesville: 
Have  seen  crows  destroy  young  rabbits  in  their  nests. 

JACOB  HAGUE,   Beaver  Centre: 

Hawks,  owls  and  all  fur-bearing  animals  prey  on  song  and 
game  birds,  but  they  are  also  scavengers  of  mice,  rats,  snakes, 
etc. 

CLEARFIELD  COUNTY. 

W.    A.    NELSON,    Shawmut: 

Weasel,  minks  and  foxes  destroy  our  poultry  and  game; 
crows  eat  the  eggs  and  sometimes  the  young  of  other  birds. 

WILLIAM    T.    THORPE.    Grampian: 
Foxes  kill  a  great  mqnv  rabbits. 


86 

JAMES   CARNS,    Clearfield: 

The  pine  squirrel  Is  probably  the  worst,  as  he  destroys  eo 
many  pheasants'  eggs.  The  wildcat,  hawk  and  owl  commit 
serious  depredations  on  poultry,  game  and  song  birds. 

J.   T.  REITTER,  Karthaus: 

Much  poultry  and  many  song  birds  are  destroyed  by  foxes, 
owls  and  hawks.   Owls  are  getting  very  scarce. 

G.   W.   DRESSLER,   Rockton: 

Pheasants,  poultry,  rabbits  and  flsh  destroyed  by  the  fox, 
mink,    weasel,    skunk,    owl   and    hawk. 

W.  J.  STULL,  Coalport: 

Saw  this  winter  where  a  fox  ate  a  rabbit  and  grouse,  and  an 
owl  caught  and  killed  a  rabbit. 

W.  F.  WAGNER,   Coalport: 

I  have  seen  where  owls  destroyed  rabbit  and  where  fox  de- 
stroyed pheasant.  Captured  a  mink  after  he  had  killed  thir- 
teen chickens. 

HON.  F.  G.  HARRIS,  Clearfield: 

Have  known  wild  cats  to  kiil  deer  and  fawns  and  all  kinds  of 
wild  animals.  Foxes  'kiTl  our  poultry,  rabbits  and  grouse. 
Weasels  also  kill  grouse. 

J.    E.   HARDER,   Clearfield: 

I  saw  a  big  blue  heron  that  was  killed  here  last  sumn^er 
near  Trout  Run  in  whose  craw  were  thirty  small  trout.  This 
tributary  has  been  nearly  cleaned  out  of  trout  by  these  birds. 

AMOS  KLINE,  DuBois: 

Have  seen  hawks  catching  birds  and  lObbing  the  nest  of  the 
young. 

J.    F.   C.AL,LAHER,   New    Washington: 

The  crow  and  the  Blue  Jay  destroy  more  song  birds  by  eating 
their  eggs  than  all  the  other  birds  in  the  vicinity. 

JAMES  B.  GRAHAM,  Grahamton: 

I  saw  a  large  brown  hawk  eating  a  full  grown  pheasant 
which  it  had  killed.  A  Cooper's  Hawk  carried  away  two  or 
three  dozen  of  my  small  chickens,  until  I  finally  put  an  end  to 
him  by  setting  a  boy  to  watch  the  nest   with   a   shot   gun. 

O.  D.   KRISE,  Odessa: 

Hawks,  foxes  and  wildcats  destroy  much  poultry;  blue  jays 
destroy  our  song  birds. 

R.  J.  BROCKBANK,  Luthersburg: 

I  have  seen  a  fox  in  one  night  kill  three  or  four  rabbits. 
They  will  also  destroy  all  small  game.  So  will  the  mink,  as  1 
have  learned  from  observing  him.  Hawks  and  owls  are  very 
destructive    to   poultry    and    game. 


C;.   W.   BEI.L.    Hells   Landing: 

I  have  personally  known  foxes  and  skunks  to  kill  pheasants 
and  rob  their  nests.  Have  seen  owls  with  pheasants,  and  hawks 
kill   many   chickens. 

WILLIAM  BUMGARDEN,  Lick  Run  Mills: 

Wildcats  kill  deer  and  small  game;  foxes  kill  small  game; 
skunks   kill   grouse,    birds,   and  destroy   pheasants'   eggs. 

J.  W.  KIZER,   Osceola  Mills: 

I  have  seen  many_instances  where  game  birds  and  others 
have  have  been  destroyed  by  foxes,  weasels,  minks  and  wild- 
cats, which  also  often  devour  poultry. 

CAMERON  COUNTY. 

M.  M.  LARRABEE,  Emporium: 
Skunks,   wildcats,   foxes  and  some  hawks. 

J.   A.   MCMILLAN,  Driftwood: 
The  hen-hawk  is  the  worst. 

CENTRE  COUNTY. 

GEORGE  K.  BOAK,  Pine  Glen: 

Wild  cats,  foxes,  minks,  crows,  hawks,  and  owls  destroy- 
ing poultry,  game  and  small  wild  birds. 

W.  J.   KRAPE  AND  CHARLES  E.   BRESSLER,   Fiedler: 

Sharp-shinned  and  Cooper's  Hawk  kill  pheasants,  small  birds 
and  rabbits.  Foxes  kill  rabliits  and  pheasants.  Weasels  rob 
the  nests  of  birds. 

CHESTER  M.   LINGLE.   Philipsburg: 

I  saw  one  pigeon  hawk  kill  four  quail;  in  spite  of  my  throw- 
ing clubs  at  it  and  driving  it  away  it  would  return  and  invari- 
ably catch  another  quail. 

R.  T.   CORNBY.  Flemming: 
Yes;  principally  by  hawks. 

B.    F.    SHAFFER,    Nittany: 
Red  squirrel  eating  the  lirains  of  young  roljins. 

A.  A.  DALE,  Bellefonte: 

HaA-e  known  instances  where  wild  cats  and  foxes  have  killed 
young  deer.  These  same  animals  destroy  many  turkeys  and 
nheasants. 

.TACOB  SHARER.   Centre  Hall: 

Have  seen  lioth  fox  nnd  weasel  attack  coop  and  oai-ry  off 
Tioultry  and  eggs. 

GEORGE   D.   JOHNSON.    Mt.    Eagle: 

Have   had    ffixes  an.l    minks   destroy    turke.\-s   and    i'hi<kens. 


S7 

W.    W.    ROORRS.    (Vntrp    Hall: 

My  personal  loss  of  poultry  has  been  by  tiiiiik  anrl  weasel 
more  than  by  hawks. 

C.  A.   RACKAU,   Madison  burg: 

Last  summer  the  crows  destroyed  a  good  many  i>t'  my  ynuiiK 
chickens,    and    the    neighbors    also. 

W.  H.  MILLER,  Secretary  Logan  Grange  No.  109,  Bellelonle: 
Hawks  destroying  poultry,  et  cetera. 

J.    DUXKLE   HUBLEKSBURG,    Hublersburg: 

The  quail  roost  on  the  ground  in  broods  and  become  the  prey 
of  the  fox  and  skunk  by  the  wholesale  at  night. 

CLINTON  COUNTY. 

DR.   J.   M.   DUMM.   Mackeyville: 

Have  seen  where  foxes  and  hawks  have  killed  turkeys,  but 
they  also  kill  many  mice.  If  it  were  not  for  them  our  fruit 
trees  would  need  more  protection.  Have  also  known  of  a  mink 
killing  a  rabbit. 

W.   L.   HAMILTON,   Lock  Haven: 

In  many  instances,  too  numerous  to  mention,  where  poultry 
has  been  destroyed. 

GEORGE  H.  WILSON.  Westport: 

Chickens  are  repeatedly  destroyed  by  hawks,  and  a  whole 
brood  of  twenty-four  chickens  was  killed  in  one  night  by  a 
wild  cat. 

C.  H.   RICH.   Woolrich: 

Have  seen  hundreds  of  English  sparrows  tear  up  the  nest.«; 
of  other  birds  and  eat  the  eggs.  Hawks  will  also  eat  eggs  and 
destroy   .voung   birds.     Crows,    too.   eat  eggs. 

W.    C.   KEPLER.   Westport: 

Wildcats,  foxes,  hawks  and  crows  commit  great  depredations 
on  poultry  and  wild  birds. 

C.   J.    SIGMUND.   Salona: 
Have  seen  hawks,  owls,  etc..  destroying  game  and  poulti-y. 

JOHN  C.  MERRILL.  Lock  Haven: 
All  kinds  and  at  all  seasons. 

.\.   S.    TRUST.   Cedar  Springs: 

Have  frequently  seen  where  foxes  caught  wild  turkeys  and 
tear  them  up:  they  are  ever  on  the  alert  to  find  the  nests  and 
destroy   the  young  of  both   turkeys  and  pheasants. 


88 


(1AMHKIA  r(MlNT^ 

.».  J.   WEAVER.    Wllmore: 

The  fox,  mink  and  weasel  kill  iioulUy  and  game;  skunks  de- 
stroy the  egrgs  and  young-,  and  tho  hawk  anri  owl  commit  spii- 
i>us  depredations  to  our  song  birds. 

JOHN  E.   TOMLINSON,   Loretto: 

Skunks,  foxes  and  minks  destroy  our  game,  poultry  and  song 
birds. 

J.  T.  TODER,  Johnstown: 

The  skunk  has  caused  me  considerable  loss;  young  chickens 
especially.  A  few  years  ago  they  destroyed  about  fifty  of  my 
young  turkeys  and  their  eggs,  this  was  all  done  in  one  season. 

J.    B.    HOLSENGER,  Johnstown: 
Poxes,  skunks,  owls  and  hawks. 

JOHN    F.    THOMAS,    Patton: 

Foxes,  minks,  hawks  and  owls  destroy  much  of  our  poultry 
and  game. 

GEORGE  W.  GARRETT,  Munster: 

It  is  an  every  day  occurrence,  in  the  summer,  for  us  to  see 
hawks  pick  up  young  poultry  and  song  birds. 

W.   F.  CUNNINGHAM.  Carrolltown: 
The  pigeon  hawk  does  great  damage  among  the  poultry. 

JOHN   J.    REDINGER.   Nicktown: 

Pheasants  are  killed  by  foxes  and  hawks;  foxes  also  destroy 
rabbits;  and  our  poultry  suffers  much  by  minks  and  hawks. 

JOHN  RICKETTS,  Flinton: 

Skunks,  minks  and  weasels  destroy  our  poultry,  game  and 
song  bird^s. 

BLAIR  ALEXANDER,   Conemaugh: 

Grown  rabbits  and  quail  destroyed  by  weasels,  minks,  and 
foxes. 

CLARION  COUNTY. 

J.   T.    FRAMPTON,   Frampton: 
flawks  and  owls  destroy  much  poultry. 

J.  H.  MARTIN,  Valley: 

Foxes  do  much  damage,  ami  I  have  seen  hawks  c-arrying  utT 
young  chicks  and  quail. 

i:.    M.    KISER,   Elk  City: 

I  ha\-e  seen  a  weasel  kill  a  rabbit;  and  have  frequently  seen 
tur  and  feathers  lying  .ibout  where  an  owl  or  fox  had  gotten 
in  their  work  on  a  rabbit  or  grouse. 


89 

H.    N.    FKNSTAMAKER.    Clarion: 
Have  seen  game  destroyed  by  fox,  tnink  and  owl. 

FRANK   a.   KEATLEY.   Clarion: 

Weasels  caught  a  number  of  rabbits.  Foxes  caught  pheas- 
ants and  quail.  Chicken  and  pigeon  hawks  are  destructive  to 
our  song  and  game  birds. 

J.  A.  T.  HOY,   Clarion: 

More  poultry,  grouse,  and  quail  are  destroyed  by  foxes  than 
by  any  other  means.     Minks  of  course  destroy   some. 

(JAUHON  COUNTY. 

S.   M.   DOWNS,   Mauch   Chunk: 

Instances  too  numerous  to  mention  from  farmers  over  loss 
of  poultry;  and  very  often  while  out  gunning  I  see  where 
grouse  and  rabbits  have  been  killed  by  these  animals. 

L.  L.  HULSHIZER,  Mauch  Chunk: 

While  out  gunning  I  see  where  rabbits  and  pheasants  have 
been  destroyed  by  these  animals. 

B.   F.   KUEHUER,   E.   Mauch  Chunk: 

Have  many  cases  here  of  foxes  destroying  rabbits,  pheasants 
and  poultry. 

EDWIN  F.  PRY,  Mauch  Chunk: 

The  destruction  of  game  in  this  section  is  very  noticeablt^ 
when  we  compare  the  protected  to  the  unprotected  sections. 

PIERCE  J.  TAYLOR,  Mauch  Chunk: 

In  several  instances  I  saw  where  foxes,  minks,  weasels,  cata- 
mounts, and  snakes  destroyed  a  great  deal  of  game  and  fish. 

GEORGE   T.   WELL.    Rockport: 

Have  often  found  where  a  fox  had  caught  rabbits,  quail  and 
other  birds. 

CUMBEKLANI)  COUNTY. 

A.  Z.  HADE,  Mechanicsiburg: 

Hawks  and  foxes  kill  rabbits.  Hawks,  owls  and  foxes  kill 
•  luail,  other  birds  and  also  considerable  poultry. 

JACOB  B.  MEIXEL.  Boiling  Springs: 

Have  on  two  different  occasions  seen  the  work  of  weasels 
killing  poultry;  the  first  time  he  got  twenty-five,  the  second 
time  fifteen.  I  once  saw  a  blue  darter  hawk  fly  into  a  flock  of 
quail,   kill   one  and  entirely  scatter  the  rest. 

DAUPHIN  COUNTY. 

\V.    L.    WEAVER.   Millersburg: 

I   have  seen  goshawks  kill  quail  and  giouBf^;  duck  hawka  and 


eagles    kill    ducks.     Red-tailed    kill    poiilliy.     Bass    and    salmmi 
will   kill   all   liie  fish   they  can  cahli 

H.  M.  F.  WORDEN,  Hanisburg : 

Minks  destroyed  German  hare  <n\  island  at  ("nvt-  Station; 
three  old  and  seventeen  youngr  ones.  Personally  saw  Red 
Squirrel  destroy  a   robin's  nf'Ft. 

RICHARD  V.   FOX.   Harrisburg: 

Have  known  hawks  upon  my  own  tai-ni  to  kill  a  quail  or  two 
a   day,    until    the    whole   bevy   was    exterminated. 

W.    H.   ETTLE,   Hummellstown: 

Space  would  not  permit  me  to  instance  the  numei-ous  depre- 
dations of  animals  upon  poultry. 

DELAWARE  COUNTY. 

CHARLES  P.  GOODLEY,  Hance: 

Foxes  destroy  great  quantities  of  poultry  and   ground    birds. 

JAMES    NEELD,    Concord: 
Foxes    after    partrid.ges. 

THOMAS    H.    HUSBAND,    Elam: 
The  opossum  killing  poultry. 

GEORGE   W.    POOLE,    Booth's   Corner: 
Poxes,  raccoons,  skunks,  opossums,  and  tnlnks. 

ELK  COUNTY. 

G.  C.  T.  HOPE,  SR.,  Raughts: 

In  Elk  county,  and  also  in  Forest  county  and  in  northern 
.Jefferson  county,  fish,  poultry,  song  birds  and  deer  have  to  a 
groat  extent  been  destroyed  by  wildcats,  foxes,  hawks,  skunks 
and    weasels. 

PHILO   CHRISLER,    St.   Marys: 

Wildcats  are  increasing  with  us  and  are  killing  deer  at  a  ter- 
rible rate.  Foxes  destroy  poultry  and  kill  more  small  game 
than   all  hunters. 

J.   M.  HANSCOME,   Ridgway: 

Wildcats  killing  fawns,  rabbits  and  pheasants,  and  foxes 
killing  rabbits  and  pheasants. 

C.  H.  LAW\   Portland   Mills: 

In  winter  you  can  find  places  where  foxes  have  destroyed 
j-abbits  and  pheasants. 

DR.   A.   MILL.HATIPT,   St.   Mary's: 

Wildcats  destroy  rabbits,  deer  and  grouse,  and  I  know  of  one 
instance  where  one  was  seen  with  a  robin  In  its  mouth. 
Foxes  are  very  destructive  tf>  grouse  and  rabbits.  Polecats 
destroy   grouse   and    their   eggs. 


91 

DR.  J.   D.    FULLERTON,  .^idgway: 

Deer,  rabbits,  partriclge'  meadow  larks  and  quail  by  wild- 
cats and  foxes.  ' 

IJKIE  COUNTY. 

I.    E.    TUTTLE.   Union   City: 

Have  frequently  had  my  poultry  yard  invaded  by  the  hen 
hawkandthe  chicks  stolen;  have  seen  the  crow  rob  birds'  nests 
frequently. 

JAMES  RICHARDS,   Corry: 
Hawk,   owl,   skunk  and   weasel. 

W.   T.  RYMAN,  Girard: 
Have  seen  kingfisher  catch  fish  and  hawks  catch  chicks. 

MANDRED  HAYES,   ESinboro: 

A  pheasant  by  a  mink;  pheasants  and  smaller  birds  sup- 
posedly by  hawks. 

FRANK  BUTTON,  Corry: 

Have  seen  birds  caught  and  nests  broken  up  by  hawks,  and 
known  of  pheasants'   nests  being  robbed  by  minks. 

J.  H.  KIRK,  Union  City: 

English  sparrows  are  very  destructi\e  to  nearly  all  birds 
when  nesting  and  hatching  their  young. 

G.   H.   CORNELL.   Edinboro: 
Pheasants   killed   by   minks. 

THOMAS  STERRET,  Sterretonia: 
Hawks. 

W.   H.   CORNELL,   Wattsburg: 
Hen  hawks,  owls,  minks,  wea.sels,  etc. 

H.    E.    DENNIS,   Milesgrove: 
Crow  blackbirds  destroy  eggs  of  song  birds. 

W.  T.  ANDREWS,  Milesgrove: 

Crows,    blackbirds    destroy   eggs    of   song   birds. 

F.  C.  FOSTER,  West  Greene: 

The  crow  is  the  most  destrucli\e;  hawks  next;  then  tli»'  owl 
and   mink. 

FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 

J.    B.    McAFEE,    Mercersburg: 

A  wildcat  will  climb  a  tree  at  night  and  kill  a  turkey.  auA  :i 
weasel    will    follow    game    into   their    retreat    and    kill 


92 

MARTIN    1..   KO.SEiNBEKKy,  Freeslune: 

I  have  seen  instances  of  where  birds  have  been  destroyed 
by  hawks,  and  two  instances  of  where  foxes  entered  our 
neighbor's   coop  and   killed   chicken;    time   to   put    bounty  on. 

DR.   W.   F.  TEETER,  Chambersburg; 

I  have  seen  hawks,  foxes  and  crows  kill  poultry,  quail,  grouse 
and  rabbits. 

SOUTH    MOUNTAIN    HUNTINCJ   t'LUB,    Fayette ville: 

Pheasants  and  rabbits  are  killed  in  our  mountains  by  wild- 
cat,  weasel,   and  quail   by   the   hawks. 

W.  H.  STEWART,  Secretary  Game  AHsociation,  Roxbury; 

Hawks  ai-e  very  severe  on  birds;  owls  kill  young  game;  foxes 
destroy  poultry  and  wildcats  turkeys  while  hatching  ihfir 
young. 

FRANK  HOCKENBERY,  Concord: 

Have  known  poultry,  quail,  pheasant  and  rabbit  to  be  killed 
by  fox,  wildcat  and  skunk. 

W.  W.  BRITTON,  Upper  Strasburg: 

Some  time  last  spring  a  mink  in  two  nights  killed  forty 
chickens  for  Clayton  Reed,  near  this  place.  Have  heard  of 
many  other  such  instances,  but  cannot  give  figui-^s. 

J.  H.  LEDY,  Marion: 

1  had  sixteen  quails  which  we  fed  in  a  thicket  in  189.S,  and 
a  hawk  killed  every  one  of  them,  one  each  day. 

FOREST  COUNTY. 

FRED   WEINGARD,   Tionesta: 
Have  seen  foxes  destroying  young  birds  and  eggs. 

S.  H.  HASLET,  Tionesta: 

I  have  seen  where  foxes,  wildcats,  owls  and  hawks  have 
killed   poultry,   pheasants  and  rabbits. 

G.   S.    TURNER,    West   Hickory: 

Have  seen  In  the  woods  where  owls  have  eaten  rabbits. 

FULTON  COUNTY. 

JOE    CHAL.TON,    Wayfordsburg: 

Hawks  kill  young  turkeys,  pheasants  and  quail;  opossums 
suck   eggs. 

MRS.  P.  M.  COOK,  Webster  Mills: 

Minks  and  weasels  are  most  destructive  to  imultry;  hawks 
prey  on  song  birds.  By  the  use  of  hoijnda  wp  keep  the  fox  ai 
£  distance. 


JB:RK.    SPROUL,    Wells   'J'aiinery: 

1  have  seen  and  found  dead  plenty  of  labblis.  plicasaiils, 
etc.,  killed  by  hawks,  owls,   wildcats  and   foxes. 

DANIEL  E.  FORE,  McConnellsburg: 

Crows,  hawks,  minks,  foxes  and  weasels  destroy  iniuiti>, 
game,  etc. 

PETER  KIRK,  Big  Cove  Tannery: 
Foxes,  hawks  and  minks  destroying  poultry,  game,  etc. 

M.  B.  HANKS,   Emmaville: 

Have  seen  rabbits  destroyed  by  minks,  owls  and  hawks, 
poultry  by  all  the  varmints;  song  birds  by  hawks  and  English 
Sparrow,  fish  by  Fish  Hawk. 

PETER  MORTON,   Pleasant  Ridge: 

I  have  frequently  seen  where  the  hoot  or  big  owls  have  killed 
rabbits,  and  the  fox  has,  to  my  personal  knowledge,  taken 
lambs,  poultry  and  pigs. 

GEORGJE  LEHMAN,  Lashley: 

About  twenty  of  our  old  hens  were  killed  last  year  by  large 
hawks;   our  neighbors   also  lost  Heavily   by    them. 

D.  W.  ORONNER,   Fort  Littleton: 
I  have  seen  foxes  destroy  poultry  and  birds. 

M.  L.  MOREBERG,  Wells  Tannery: 

Skunks  are  the  most  destructive  on  quails"  nests  and  poul- 
try; foxes  will  kill  a  turkey  on  her  nest;  wildcats  will  kill 
many  rabbits,  but  they  can  bo  spared;  are  so  plentiful  as  to 
become  a  nuisance  to  the  farmer. 

W.  H.  PITTMAN,  Big  Cove  Tannery: 

Large  hawks,  minks  and  foxes  are  very  destructive  to 
poultry,  ganie,   etc. 

W.  L.  McKIEBIN.  Buck  Valley: 

Many  cases  by  foxes,  wildcats,  skunks,  minks,  weasels,  owls 
and   hawks,   on   iioultiy,   game,   etc. 

PAYETTE  COUNTY. 

L.   D.   WOODFILL,   High   House: 

Your  game  Is  stolen  when  you  are  away  from  home  or  busy 
at  work.     I  have  seen  the  hawks  carry  off  many  a  chick. 

D.  S.  RICHINO,  Uniontown: 

I  have  had  a  great  many  chickens  ami  tuikeys  taken  by 
hawks,   owls  and  foxes. 

GEORGE  M.  BAILY.  Uniontown: 

I  have  often  found  quails  killed  by  hawks;  at  times  have 
scared    them   off. 


94 

.JESSE  O.  ALLEN,   Uniontown: 

Have  heard  from  reliable  sources  where  the  fox  and  skunk 
have  destroyed  msls  and  young  of  both  game  and  domestic 
fowls. 

(JIIEENE  COUNTY. 

SARHJEL  DUNLAP.  Maplelown: 

The  domestic  cat  destroys  a  wonderful  amount  uf  voung 
Thickens,    young   birds   and   also    rabbits. 

H.   C.   SPITZNAGLE,   Brock: 
Weasels  and  hawks  destroying  poultry,   game,  etc. 

W.  W.  PARRY,  Higbee: 

I  consider  that  the  hawk  and  the  crow  are  the  most  de- 
structive to  the  song  birds,  and  the  red  fox  to  the  rabbit. 

C.  L.  H.  MESTSEZAT.   Mapletown: 

The  hawks,  foxes  and  weasels  kill  a  great  deal  of  game  here, 
especially  quail  and   rabbits. 

CHARLES    H.    CHURCH.    Waynesburg: 

I  have  often  found  remains  of  rabbits  in  snow  that  foxes  had 
killed,  and  oftentimes  I  have  discovered  quails'  feathers  when 
the  snow  remains  for  some  time,  and  have  occasionally  seen 
the  hawk  making  his  meal  off  the  game  bird. 

H.  L.  HOGE,  Oak  Forest: 

All  species  of  hawks  are  very  destructive  to  game,  poultry 
and  song  birds. 

G.  A.  BARCLAY,  Carmichaels: 
Foxes  destro5'ing  game,  poultry,  etc. 

N.  H.  BIDDLE,  Carmichaels: 
Foxes  destroy  the  quail,  etc. 

H.    C.    SAYERS,    JR.,    Waynesburg: 
Have  seen  chicken  hawk  catch  quail  and  small  chickens. 

J.    N.    SCOTT,    Khedive: 

Cases  too  numerous  to  mention  have  come  to  my  notice 
where  hawks  and  owls  have  taken  poultry. 

A.   L.   RICH,   Khedive: 
Snakes  kill  some  birds  and  foxes  destroy  our  poultry. 

HUNTINGDON  COUNTY. 

W.  N.  MILLER.   McAlevy's  Fort: 

Wildcats,  foxes,  hawks  and  sparrows,  on  poultry,  game 
and    song   birds. 


95 

E.  B.  HARENEAME,   Norrace: 

There  is  a  great  deal  (if  imnltry  destroyed  by  tlip  wildcat, 
foxes,  hawks,  etc. 

D.    B.    WIL.SON,    and    Others.    Hiiiitiiigdon : 

Have  known  skunks  to  steal  pheasants'  eggs;  have  seen 
hawks  catch  quail  and  other  birds:  have  seen  the  homes  of 
owls  strewed  with  bones  and  feathers:  have  seen  turkey  and 
pheasant  feathers  around  the  dons  of  foxes. 

J.  W.   MANG,  Warriors'   Mark: 

Song  birds  suffer  most  from  the  pigeon  hawk;  the  fox  is 
the  worst  destroyer  of  rabbits  and  small  game. 

W.    H.    BOOTH,    Maddensville: 

I  found  the  nest  of  the  Great  Horned  Owl  by  observing  a  lot 
of  bones  under  the  tree — rabbit  bones  and  kinds  that  I  could 
not    di?linguish. 

HON.  T.  O.  MILLIKEN,   Cornpropst's  Mills: 

I  have  seen  where  foxes  destroyed  rabbits  and  poultry  in 
daylight.  In  one  instance  a  mink  killed  nineteen  out  of  twenty- 
five  full-grown  chickens  in  one  night;  have  lost  a  great  many 
chickens  by  them.  In  the  fall  we  cannot  let  full-grown 
chickens  roost  on  a  tree  on  account  of  the  large  owls.  I  have 
witnessed  on  many  occasions  the  small  hawk  we  call  chicken 
hawk  kill  and  carry  off  small  chickens.  Once  driving  along  the 
road  in  December  saw  hawk  (small)  kill  a  pullet  three-fourth 
sine  and  eat  a  holo  in  it  before  I  came  up  to  it. 

D.  M.  SUMMERS,  Entriken: 
Foxes  killing  rabbits,  hawks  killing  poultry. 

T.   S.   YASHON,   Gorsuch: 

Mj'  opinion  is  that  song  birds  are  destroyed  by  hawks;  my 
experience  is  that  we  lose  more  poultry  from  these  bird  depre- 
dations than  by  any  other  bird  or  mammal. 

HUNTINGDON  GUN  CLUB,  Huntingdon: 

We  regard  the  fox  as  the  most  destructive  animal  nf  oiir 
game,  with  the  skunk  next;  hawks  and  owls  are  also  very 
destructive. 

WILLIAM  W.  STRYKER,  Petersburg: 

I  am  satisfied  that  the  hawks  and  ow'ls  have  killed  one-half 
of  my  partridges. 

G.  M.  DEIiL,  Mapleton  Depot: 

Rabbits  and  turkeys  destroyed  by  foxes,  poultry  and  song 
birds  by  hawks  and  owls. 

MILES  BECK,  Warriors  Mark: 

Hawks,  minks,  foxes  and  skunks  are  the  most  destructive 
to  poultry  and  game  birds. 

DAVID  MONG,  JR.,   Warriors  Mark; 
Many    times    I    have    seen    I'abbits    and    pht-asants    killed    bv 


9H 

foxes;    foxes,    minks,    weasels    are    very    haul    mi     yminK    wiM 
turkeys,   pheasants  and   poultry. 

DR.  THOMAS  TOBIN,  Warriors  Mark: 

Last  May  a  phea.=ant  hawk  seized  a  young  chick  not  niur*' 
than  twenty  feet  away  from  me.  I  ran  toward  it  and  yelled 
and  the  hawk  dropped  the  chick  after  it  had  raised  ten  or 
fifteen  feet;  in  many  instances  they  get  away  with  them.  A 
few  years  ago  I  heard  a  noise  among  a  drove  of  chicks  in  a 
wheat  field.  I  ran  and  saw  a  weasel  catch  a  young  chick  by 
the  throat,  and  in  an  instant  it  was  dead.  I  spi-ang  among 
them;  they  were  trying  to  conceal  themselves;  the  weasel  run- 
ning about  my  feet  hunting  another  chick,  and  with  all  my 
striving  and  stamping-  T  could  nnt  catch  it. 

INDIANA  COUNTY. 

JAMES    N.    STEWART.    Indiana: 

House  cat  killing  rabbits;  also  song  birds,  such  as  robins  and 
blue  birds. 

EVEN  LEWIS.  J.  C.  WELLS,  D.  D.  GOOD,  Smicksburg: 
Hawks,  owls,  foxes  and  minks  destroying  poultry,  game,  etc. 

DAVID    BLAIR,    Indiana: 

The  house  cat  is  complained  of  considerably  in  this  neigh- 
borhood, and  the  fox  is  destructive  to  poultry  and  game. 

R.  W.  WEHRLE,  Indiana: 

To  my  own  personal  knowledge,  I  know  of  one  lame  cat 
killing  upwards  of  one  dozen  wild  rabbits  this  year.  The  fox, 
hawk  and  owl  destroy  poultry,  game,  etc. 

KINTER    FRY,    Advance: 

Hawks,  owls,  skunks,  polecats  and  minks  are  a  menace  to 
poultry,  game,  etc. 

G.  W.  EDWARDS,  Davis: 

I  have  known  hawks,  owls,  foxes,  minks  and  weasels  to  de- 
stroy considerable  game  and  poultry;  have  known  the  crow 
and  blue  jay  to  kill,  and  destroy  also,  the  nests  of  song  birds. 

JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 

CHARLES   A,   MORRIS,   Oliveburg: 

Pheasants  and  quail  are  destroyed  more  by  foxes,  wildcats 
and  skunks  than  any  other  source.  Song  birds  destroyed  by 
hawk  and  sparrow. 

IRA    FELT,   Brockwayville: 

I  have  on  two  different  occasions  last  December  (1896),  while 
hunting,    rf>iiiid   u  luMf   foxes  had   killed  and  eaten   pheasants. 

J.   O.    EDELRLUTR.    Brookville: 

Can  go  out  any  day  on  the  snow  and  find  evidences  of  Coxes 
killing  rabbits  and  grouse;  and   have  spen  quantities  of 
nests  robbed,  and  young  killed  by  skunks 


grouse 


97 

H.  V.  TRUMAiN,  Brookville: 

The  sparrow  hawk,  nig-ht  hawk,  chicken  hawk,  fox,  musk 
rat,  weasel,  mink,  king-fisher,  wild  cat  and  pole-cat  are  the 
worst   depredators  on   poultry,   game,   etc. 

C.  H.   SHAWKEY,  Sigel: 

It  is  a  common  occurrence  to  see  pheasants,  rabbits,  blue 
birds,  robins  and  others  killed  by  owls,  foxes,  minks,  weasels, 
and  chicken  hawks. 

D.  D.  GROVES,  Brockwayville: 

A  good  deal  of  poultry  is  picked  up  by  skunks  and  foxes,  and 
the  farmers  and  all  the  sportsmen  around  here  favor  bounty 
on  game-destroying  animals. 

JUNIATA  COUNTY. 

"^'ILLIAM  D.  WALLS,  Peru  Mills: 

The  fox  and  wild  cal  are  very  destructive  on  all  kinds  of 
game  in  the  mountains,  except  deer  and  bear;  weasels  and 
pole  cats  on  rabbits;  hawks  and  owls  on  rabbits,  pheasants 
and  quails. 

J.  T.  ROBINSON,  Waterloo: 

Fish  hawks,  other  hawks,  minks  and  foxes  on  fish,  poultry, 
game,  etc. 

HON.  WILLIAM   HERTZLER,   Port   Royal: 

Depredations  on  poultry,  game,  too  numerous  to  mention. 

WELLINGTON   SMITH,   Mifflintown: 

Mink,  polecat,  fox,  and  chicken  on  game,  poultry,  etc. 

DR.  AMOS  W.  SHELLY,  Port  Royal: 

I  know  of  game  and  poultry  being  destroyed  by  hawks, 
crows,  foxes,  skunks,  and  opossums. 

T.   S.  MOREHEAD.  E.  Waterford: 

Foxes,  skunks  and  minks  in  this  locality  are  destroying  wild 
turkeys  and  pheasants  when  hatching. 

LANCASTER  COUNTY. 

E.  B.   KREADY,   Mountsville: 

Have  seen  chicken  hawks  after  partridges. 

G.  S.  FRANKLIN.  Lancaster: 

In  this  vicinity  there  is  absolutely  no  respect  paid  to  the  law 
against  shooting  insectivorous  birds.  I  have  even  seen  them 
exposed  for  sale  in  front  of  a  restaurant. 

D.WID  L.   DEEN,   Lancaster: 

I  know  of  several  cases  where  hawks  have  exterminated 
whole  flocks  of  quail  by  staying  around  their  feeding  groOnds 
and  taking  one  at  a  time  until  the  whole  flock  was  destroyed. 

7  TT 


98 

JOSEPH  H.  BLACK.  Columbia. 

There  are  three  kinds  of  small  si)airow  liawkH  vury  de- 
structive to  small  birds. 

H.   N.   HOWELL,  Lancaster. 

Cooper's  Hawk,  Sharp-shinned  Hawk,  (losliawk.  I'igeon 
Hawk,  Duck  Hawk,  Great  Horned  Owl  and  Barred  Owl  upon 
poultry,  game,  etc. 

W.   H.  PENDRICK,   Columbia: 

Have  seen  instances  of  depredations  on  poultry,  yanie  and 
song  birds  too  numerous  to  mention. 

A.   W.   SPURRICO,   Lancaster: 

Saw  quail's  nest  and  female  biid  la.st  sunnner  evidentlj'  di- 
stroyed  by  a  hawk. 

LEHIGH  COUNTY. 

CHARLES   ^Y.    GRAMMES,   Allentown: 

I    have    often    seen    hawks    kill    pheasants    and    rabbits,    also„ 
seen   minks  kill  rabbits. 

O.  R.  B.  LEIDY,  Allentown: 

Personally  have  seen  hawks  destroy  same. 

LOUIS   N.   ELLENBOGER,   Allentown: 

Have  seen  quite  a  number  of  ln'tli  bird.s  and  fish  destroyed 
by  animals. 

A.   F.  HOUNl';,    Allentown: 

Robbing  of  nests  by  nialiciou.s  persons,  wanton  destruction 
by  disgusted  sportsmen  and  the  depredations  done  by  such 
animals  as  the  ferret,  weasel,  and  a  few  hawks. 

FRANK   B.   SAEGER,    Allentown: 

The  fox  has  killed  game  by  the  wholesale  on  the  Lehigh 
mountain,  such  as  rabbit,  quail  and  pheasant. 

JOHN   T.   WEILER,   Allentown: 

I  have  observed  that  hawks  follow  quail;  also  seen  where 
hawks  have  caught  rabbits. 

L.  B.  GBIGER,  Hoffman: 

The  mink,  weasel,  red  fox  and  opossum  sometimes.  Also 
haw'ks  and  crows  are  sometimes  seen  after  young  chickens. 

L.   L.  RONEY,  Allentown: 
Saw  a  fox  have  a  pheasant  that  it  had  killed. 

L.   W.    MAZURIE,   Dillingersville: 

Fox  and  the  long-tailed  hawk  have  done  a  large  amount  of 
ihimage  heie  to  quail,  grouse,  poultry,  etc. 

A.    D.    BERGKR,    Allentown 
Game  birds  by  hawks. 


J.  B.  RHOADS,  Allentown: 

Last  fall  I  saw  chicken  hawk  catch  pheasant  and  a  weasel 
catch  a  rabbit. 

W.   M.   D.    HEARS,    Allentown: 
Hawk  devouring-  quail,  fox  devouring  pheasant. 

LEWIS  F.   GRAMMES,  Allentown: 

I  have  seen  hawks  destroy  chickens,  quail,  dov(;s,  and  oilier 
small  birds  and  young  squirrels,  rabbits;  ducks  and  the  do- 
mestic cat  destroy  much  fish  and  game  in  our  county. 

H.  A.  GRAMMES,  Allentown: 

Weasels,  minks,  wildcats,  tame  cats,  and  ferrets  on  poultry, 
game,  etc. 

M.   G.   ROTHROCK,   Emaus: 

Saw  a  kite  and  chicken  hawk  kill  a  quail  and  a  red  fox  kill 
a  rabbit. 

E.  P.  MILLER,  Allentown: 
I  only  know  of  foxes  killing  rabbits. 

LUZERNE  COUNTY. 

C.  B.  MILLER,  Nanticoke: 

I  have  come  across  a  number  of  places  where  hawks  and 
foxes  have  devoured  pheasants,  quail  and  rabbits  this  last 
open  season. 

JONATHAN   P.   LAUBACH,   Fairmount  Springs: 

Skunks,  weasels  and  crows  do  a  great  deal  of  damage  in 
jobbing-  hens'  nests  when  they  lay  out  away  from  buildings, 
and  also  pheasants'  nests.  The  weasel,  fox  and  mink  kill 
young  chickens  and  large  ones,  too.  Hawks  commit  many  dei?- 
redations  upon  poultry,  some  are  worse  than  others. 

H.   M.    BECK,   Wilkes-Barre: 

Grouse  and  quail  by  hawks,  weasels,  skunks  and  foxes. 

ELSWORTH    L.    RILEY,   Ashley: 

The  owls,  hawks,  crows,  foxes,  cats,  weasels  and  minks 
upon  poultry,  game,  etc. 

E.  DANA  SUTLIFP,  Bloomingdale: 

Have  often  found  pheasants  that  had  been  killed  by  hawks, 
have  often  found  where  foxes  have  destroyed  rabbits;  one 
hunting  party  found  where  seven  had  been  killed  in  one  night 
by  these  animals. 

PAUL  A.  OLIVER.  Oliver's  Mills: 

Have  seen  weasel  tracking  and  following  rabbit;  fox  catching 
grouse  and  rabbit;  hawk  pursuing  and  catching-  domestic 
pigeons. 


.   100 

GEORGE  R.   WRIGHT,  Wllkes-Barre: 

Have  seen  I'nxes  catihiiif?  Runfcl  Grouse  and  rabbits;  liawks 
catching  wlng-ed  groUse  and  quail;  skunks  catching-  grouse  and 
weasels  rabbits. 

M.  B.   WESTCOTT,   Register: 

The  owl,  fox,  mink  and  weasel  destroy  rabbits,  pheasant 
and  poultry, 

\Y.  D.  FRITZ,  Huntingdon  Mills: 

I  have  tracked  weasels  when  they  killed  rabbits  and  have 
known  minks  to  kill  young  turkeys. 

F.  B.  PARK,   Fairmount  Springs: 

I  find  frequently  the  carcasses  of  rabbits  killed  by  weasels; 
have  often  found  where  rabbits,  pheasants  and  quail  had  been 
killed  by  foxes,  and  where  nests  had  been  robbed  by  skunks. 

LYCOMING  COUNTY. 

R.  H.  GRIER,  Oriole: 

Chicken  hawks,  skunks  and  foxes  destroying  game  and  poul- 
try. 

GEORGE  D.  POST,   Williamsport: 

Foxes  and  skunks  are  quite  destructive  to  grouse  during 
nesting  time. 

C.  W.  YOUNGMAN,  Williamsport: 

On  Little  Pine  creek  in  1895  was  a  section  teeming  with 
grouse;  it  burned  early  in  the  spring  of  18%  and  in  two  days 
time  was  burned  over,  and  hardly  a  bird  was  seen  and  they 
were  old  cocks. 

AUGUST  KOCH,  Williamsport: 

Grouse,  killed  by  foxes;  a  skunk  and  also  by  red-tailed 
hawks;  whole  coveys  of  quail,  in  winter,  by  fox;  nestings  of 
birds  taken  by  sharp-shinned  hawks,  crows,  crane  and  black 
bird. 

G.  W.   CLARK,  Williamsport: 

Foxes,  weasels,  skunks,  hawks,  owls  and  crows  destroying 
poultry,  game,  etc. 

C.  J.  DEWALT.  Moreland: 

1  have  had,  as  well  as  my  neighbors,  a  great  deal  oi  poultry 
killed  by  foxes,  minks,  weasels,  hawks  and  owls;  have  had 
poultry  killed  by  skunks:  have  seen  where  rabbits  and  pheas- 
ants have  been  destroyed  by  fox-^s  and  minks  and  weasels 
by  tracking  them. 

HENRY   CODER,    Williamsport: 
Onoe  saw  a  horned  owl  eating  a  pheasant 

C.  W.   YOUNGMAN,   Williamsport: 

Have  seen  grouse  picked  to  pieces  by  owls  and  torn  to  pieces 
by   foxes. 


101 


LAWRENCE  COUNTY. 

ARCHIBALD   D.    DAVIS,    New   Castle: 
Have  seen  hawks  killing  poultry,  quail  and  sung  Ijicds. 

DAVID   HAMILTON,   Plain   Grove: 

A  long-tailed  chicken  hawk  caught  a  quail  in  its  talons  in  an 
open  field  by  flying:  over  it  and  taking  it  up  as  it  flew. 

WILLIAM   ALEXANDER  AND   OTHERS,   New  Oastle: 

The   polecat    destroy   eggs   of   poultry,   game.    etc. 

W.  L.  McCONNELL,  New  Castle: 

Hawks  and  owls  are  the  only  birds  which  prey  on  our  game 
birds.  I  have  numbers  of  quail  killed  by  hawks;  one  instance 
under  my  observation,  when  I  was  afield  my  dog  was  pointing 
a  covey  of  quail  and  Ijefore  I  could  flush  them,  a  hawk  swooped 
down  and  picking  a  bird  started  off  with  it.  Both  hawks  and 
owls  are  becoming  more  scarce  and  there  are  but  compara- 
tively few  of  them  in  our  county. 

LEBANON  COUNTY. 

JOHN  G.  STAUFFER,  Palmyra: 
Hawks   destroy   quail   when  young. 

JOHN.  S.   BRENDLE,   Scheafferstown: 

I  have  frequently  noticed  feathers  of  game  and  song  birds 
lying  on  the  ground,  and  the  bones  near  to  them,  showing  that 
they  were  killed  by  hawks;  have  seen  hawks  catching  quail, 
robins,  etc. 

GEORGE  W.    ELLIS,   Jonestown: 
Hawks   and   foxes   destroying  poultry,   game,   etc. 

DR.  KREMERER,  Lebanon: 

Have  seen  quail  destroyed  by  hawks  and  owls;  also  grouse 
killed  by  foxes. 

P.  H.   REINHART,   Lebanon: 

Have  observed  foxes  destroying  pheasants  and  chickens; 
hawks   kill   partridges. 

THOMAS  T.  LEBE,  Shaefferstown: 

Rabbits  by  weasels  and  quail  by  hawks. 

E.  R.  ILLIG,  Millbach: 
I  know  of  chicken  hawks  killing  quail  and  lln^  phcasani. 

JOHN  KISH  and  JOHN  H.  CILLY,  Lebanon: 
Hawks  killing  poultry,  game,  etc. 

J.    WESLEY    MAZURIE,    Lebanon: 

I  have  often  while  hunting  come  across  icmains  ni'  riuail 
and  poultry  which   were  destroyed  by  owls  and   hawks. 


102 

JOHN    BEUSAN,    Lebanon: 
Have  seen  mink  and  i'oxhs  kill  pheasants  and  partridges. 

LACKAWANNA  COUNTY. 

W.  TURNER,  Spring  Brook: 

We  have  large  fires  here  that  extend  over  thousands  of 
acres  and  destroy  everything. 

M.  FOLEY,  Mount  Cobb: 

The  destruction  in  this  line  is  incalculable. 

J.   F.   REYNOLDS,   Carbondale: 

I  have  seen  positive  evidence  of  where  rabbits  and  pheasants 
have    been    caught   and   killed   by   foxes. 

DR.  ISAIAH  F.  EVERHART,  Scranton: 

Foxes,  wildcats  and  hawks  destroy  a  large  amount  of 
grouse  and  rabbits;  have  frequently  found  when  hunting  wheie 
they  have  been  killed. 

J.  D.  MASON,  Scranton: 

Pigeon  hawks  catching  quails;  also  where  fox  or  wildcats 
have  eaten  grouse  in  the  woods. 

ZIBA  SCOTT,   Spring  Brook: 

Twice  this  winter  I  have  .driven  the  Goshawk  off  of  pheas- 
ants; once  he  had  killed  it  and  eaten  it  about  half  up;  the  sei-- 
ond  time  the  hawk  came  o\er  me  and  1  lot  the  ))he;isant  «o 
and  shot  him. 

M.  FOLEY,  Mount  Cobb: 

I  have,  as  well  as  my  neighbors,  lost  ducks  and  chickens 
in  large  numbers  by  minks  and  skunks. 

W.  TURNER,   Spring  Brook: 
Wildcats  and   foxes  killing  poultry,  game,   etc. 

MERCER  COUNTY. 

J.    A.    HORNER,    New    Hamburg: 

Have  known  poultry,  game,  etc.,  to  be  destroyed  by  mink, 
weasel,   owl   and   hawk. 

LEANDER  OSBORNE,  Indian  Run: 
Weasel    destroying   game,    poultry,    etc. 

O.   T.   FETTERHOFF,   Greenville: 
Hawks  destroying  chickens. 

S.    STALLSMITH,    New   Lebanon: 

Poultry,  game,  etc.,  destroyed  by  hawk.  owl.  mink  and 
weasel. 

C.  A.  JEW  ALL,  New  Lebanon: 

Rhie  jays   are   most    destructive    to   snng    birds    .nnd    poultry; 


103 

minks  and  weasels  destroy  rabbits  and  game  birds;  have  seen 
this  in  many  instances. 

W.  V.  McDOUGALL,   Otter   Creek: 
The  pigeon  hawks  kill  young  poultry  and  birds. 

JAMES  S.  KENNEDY,  Grove  City: 

Our  song  birds  have  no  enemy  as  bad  as  the  crow  robbing 
nests;  our  game  is  destroyed  by  mink,  weasel  and  horned  owl. 
The  greatest  enemy  of  one  of  the  best  game  birds  in  Amrica, 
our  woodcock,  is  the  telephone  and  telegraph  wires,  as  he  is 
a   night  flyer  and  a  night    feeder. 

C.    C.   McCONNELL.    Milledgeville: 
Minks  sometimes  kill  our  chickens. 

McKEAN  COUNTY. 

F.   K.  WINSHIP,  Annin  Creek: 

The  owl,  hawk,  crane,  crow,  wild  and  domestic  cats,  mink, 
skunk,  fox,  weasel,  coon,  English  Sparrow  and  Red  Squirrel 
destroy   poultry,   game,   etc. 

C.  W.    DICKINSON,    Norwich: 

I  know  personally  that  the  wildcat  kills  small  deer,  sheep 
and  partridges,  rabbits  and  all  birds  that  nest  on  the  ground: 
the  fox  destroys  all  the  above  except  deer  and  sheep,  but 
overreaches  on  poultry.  Hawks  and  owls  kill  rabbits  and  all 
kinds  of  birds  known  here. 

BUKDETTE   DICKINSON,    Colegrove: 

I  have  known  of  one  hundred  instances  where  hawks,  owls, 
wildcats,  foxes  and  weasels  have  killed  all  kinds  of  song  and 
game  birds,  game  and  fish. 

D.  SIMPSON,   Turtle   Point: 

Skunks  and  hen  hawks  destroying  poultry,  and  wild  cats  de- 
stroying song  birds. 

JAMES   BIGGINS,   Eldred: 
Foxes,  weasels,  hawks,  minks  destroying  game,   poultry,  etc. 

J.  J.   McCAREY,   Turtle   Point: 

Hawks,   owls,   minks,    foxes   destroying   poultry,    game.    ^tc. 

A.   W.   COLEGROVE,   Smethport: 

Hawks,  especially  pigeon  or  sparrow,  have  an  eye  for  all 
kinds  of  feathers.  Have  seen  hundreds  of  instances  of  their 
depredations. 

H.  C.  BANCROFT.   Bradford: 

Pheasants  by  foxes  and  weasels;  any  kind  of  a  bird  or  fowl 
by  mink,  owls  and  hen  hawks. 

E.  H.   BAR1)1!:N.   Eldred: 

Fox  destroying  rabbits  and  grouse;  minks  destroying  rab- 
bits; hawks  and  owls  destroying  rabbits  and  grouse  and  song 
birds. 


104 


MIFFLIN  COUNTY. 

VV.    M.    Jll'JlMAClJ,    Newton   Hamilton; 
The  f(ix  is  destroying  the  wild  turkey  in   this  vicinity. 

W.   T.   McEUEN,   Newton  Hamilton; 

Foxes,  hawks,  skunks,  weasels  and  uwls  are  very  destructive 
on  poultry,  game,  etc. 

C.    E.    SHULL.,   Lewistown; 

Have  often  seen,  while  gunning,  where  I'abbits  and  grouse 
have  been  killed  by  foxes  and  hawks. 

S.   T.   MOORE,  Milroy: 

In  my  mountain  trips  I  often  see  where  foxes  have  killed  the 
turkey  and  pheasant   while   hatching  and   destroyed   the   nest. 

HON.  G.  H.  BELL,,  Lewistown; 
Have  seen  foxes,  minks  and  weasels  destroying  poultry. 

JOHNSON    MUTHERSBAUGH,    Lewistown; 

I  had  been  tracking  a  rabbit,  and  suddenly  there  was  a 
small  scuffle  in  the  snow  that  proved  to  be  the  end  of 
"bunny" — with  the  owl  acting  as  the  exterminator.  I  have 
seen  a  hawk  chase  a  gray  squirrel  up  a  tree  and  catch  him 
as  he  returned  on  his  downward  trip.  Foxes  and  polecats 
destroy    the   nests   of   turkeys,    pheasants    and    partridges. 

SAMUEL  SIGLER,   Paintersville; 

I  am  informed  by  farmers  of  this  section  that  they  lose 
chickens  ©very  year  by  foxes  and  hawks;  also  know  of  game 
being  killed  by  same. 

T.  J.   N'OVINGER,   Alfarata; 

Foxes  and  minks  are  the  principal  animals;  hawks  and  owls 
are  also  very  bad  among  poultry  and  game. 

DR.   S.  J.   BOYER,   Siglersville; 

Owl  killing  hare  at  night;  foxes  killing  pheasants  and  hens; 
hawks  killing  quail  and  robins. 

A.   T.   HAMILTON,   Lewistown; 
Have  seen  poultry  destroyed   by  minks. 

J.    P.    TAYLOR,    Reedsville; 
The  chicken  hawk  on  poultry   is  the  worst 

DR.  D.  C.  NIPPLE,  Newton  Hamilton; 

I  believe  the  fox  destroys  more  game,  such  as  turkeys, 
pheasants,   quail,    rabbits,    than   all    the   sportsmen   combined. 

ROBERT    PORGY,    McVeytown; 

Have  had  personal  observation  of  wea.se).  minU  and  hawk 
destroying    poultry. 


105  ^ 

GEORGE    E.    CONNER,    Lewistown: 

Fox,  owl,  hawk,  mink  and  weasel  will  all  kill  poullry,  but 
1  think  while  they  do"  that  they  also  kill  a  great  many  mice 
and  rats  that  would  do  harm. 

MONROE  COUNTY. 

E.   E.    HOOKA,   JR..    Mt.    Pocono: 

Ferrets,  foxes  and  skunks  have  frequently  killed  our  chick- 
ens. 

JAMES    M.    AL.TEMORE,    Effort: 

Minks,  foxes,  catamounts,  fish  hawks,  cranes  and  Green 
Heron   to  poultry,  game,   etc. 

H.  T.  FRANKENPIEL-D,  Frutchey's: 

Hunting-  catamounts  and  foxes.  I  have  seen  where  they 
have  destroyed  grouse,  quail  and  rabbits;  weasels  destroy  the 
same. 

DR.  J.  B.  SHAW.  Delaware  Water  Gap: 
Foxes  and  skunks   often   found  with   game   partly   eaten. 

JOHN   M.    NEIR,    East   Stroudsburg: 
Snaring  birds  with  wire: 

L.    D.   EIL.ENBERGER,   East  Stroudsburg: 

I  frequently  see,  from  their  tracks  in  the  snow,  where  foxes 
kill   pheasants. 

I.  SELDON  CASE,  Tobyhanna: 

I  could  give  number  of  instances  where  foxes  have  killed 
pheasants;  I  have  tracked  them  to  the  bird  and  found  its 
bones  remaining.     They  also  kill  poultry. 

JOSEPH  BROWN,  Canadensis: 

Hawks  and  owls  destroying  poultry:  the  weasel  is  the  worst 
little  animal  to  kill  rabbits  that  we   have. 

TOWNSEND    PRICE,    Canadensis: 

Wildcats  are  the  most  destructive  of  any  animal  in  this 
section,  killing  all  kinds  of  game,  and  poultry  in  large  quan- 
tities. 

J.  H.  GRAVES,  Delaware  Water  Gap: 
Foxes  kill  rabbits,  young  pheasants  and  quail. 

MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 

H.    S.    ROYER,    Pottstown: 
Have  known  hawks  to  clean  up  a  covey  of  quail  in  a  winter. 

WHARTON    HUBER,    Hoyt: 

Have  seen  several  instances  where  the  Cooper's  Sharp- 
shinned  and  Duck  hawks  have  killed  birds  and  poultry,  but 
they  kill  more  vermin  than  anythine'  else. 

7*-n 


106 

C.   H.   KOOKER,    Flourslown: 
Opossums. 

HON.  HORACE   W.   ESHBACK.   Pennsbury: 

Flock  of  quail  partially  destroyed,  when  led  by  farmer.^ 
during  winter,    by   hawks. 

JOSEPH   C.   SHOEMAKER,  Blue  Bell: 
Skunks  and  opossums  ai"e  our  disturbers  of  poultry  at  niyhl. 

MONTOUR  COUNTY. 

C.   W.    ECKMAN,    Howellville: 
Pigeon  hawks  and  nearly  all  hawks  destroy  poultry. 

J.   M.   FORRESTER,   Danville: 
Pigeon  hawks  after  poultry. 

WILLIAM    T.    SPEISER,    Danville: 

Foxes  will  catch  rabbits,  quail,  pheasants  and  poultry; 
weasels  and  red  squirrels  will  rob  the  birds'  nests  while  hatch- 
ing. 

NORTHAMPTON  COUNTY. 

B.    FRANK    REDINGTON: 
Foxes,  minks  and  hawks  after  poultry,  game,  etc. 

THOMAS  RICHARDS,   Easton: 
Hawks  and  crows  destroy  birds'  nests. 

BASIL.  G.   BRASSINGTON.    Easton: 

Have  seen  hounds  worrying  and  killing  young  rabbits  dur 
ing   the  summer. 

HARRY   C.   RANDOLPH.    Easton: 

Hawks  kill  a  great  number  of  quail  in  winter;  have  seen 
them  eating  them;  foxes,  minks  and  weasels  kill  pheasants 
and    rabbits. 

J.   L.   PULMER,   Easton: 

Hawks  kill  lots  of  quail  in  winter;  foxes,  minks  and  weasels 
kill  pheasants  and  rabbits.  Have  seen  places  where  hawkt 
have  caught  and  eaten  quail.. 

J.    E.    MESSINGER,    Stone    Church: 
Hawks,   foxes   and   fish   hawk   on   ])iiultry   and   game. 

JONATHAN    PETERS,    Edelmans; 

By  skunks,  minks  and  weasels  destroying  poultry,   etc. 

T.  L.  REIGEL,   Freemansburg: 
Th*>   mink,   raccoon,   skunk   and    hawk   on   poultry,   game,   etc. 


107 

H.  A.   SANTEE,   Moorstown: 

The  hawks  and  owls  are  mean  enough  for  anything,  and  su 
Is   the    mink   and    fox. 

J.  J.  EALER,  Morgan's  Hill: 

I  have  seen  chicken  hawks  catch  birds  and  partly  grown 
chickens.  In  my  chicken  house  a  year  ago  a  weasel  killed 
seven  ducks  about  one-third  grown,  in  one  night.  I  have  seen 
the  common  house  cat  kill,  on  many  occasions,  small  rabbits  in 
the  field. 

JOHN  C.  SNYDER,  Middaghs: 

Hawks,  large  owls,  foxes,  skunks,  opossums,  raccoons, 
minks  and  weasels  are  alike  destructive  to  poultry  and  game. 

E.  B.  MARKS,  Easton: 
An  everyday  occurrence. 

W.  G.  BERCAW,  Easton: 
Hawks  killing  poultry,  etc. 

JAMES  A.  HARPER,  Ackermanville: 

Red  squirrels  robbing  birds'  nests;  crows  robbing  nests  and 
skunks  robbing"  quail,  pheasants'  nests,  etc. 

GEORGE   R.   GROINS,    Easton: 
Find  game,  etc.,  torn  to  pieces;  done  by  owls,  hawks  or  foxes. 

NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

EZARIAH  YOCUM,   Bear  Gap: 

I  have  seen  where  rabbits  and  quail  have  been  killed  by  owls; 
saw  the  track  of  the  owl  in  the  snow. 

B.  B.  SMITH,  Shamokin: 

Have  known  gray  and  red  fox  to  destroy  eggs  and  young 
of  pheasant. 

J.  W.  BARTHOLOMEW,  Sunbury: 
Have  seen  hawks  strike  pheasants. 

S.    A.   PECK,    Northumberland: 

Hawks  do  us  more  harm  than  hunters,  as  they  hunt  con- 
tinually. 

PERRY  COUNTY. 

E.  A.  SHEARER,  New  Germantown: 

I  have  seen  at  the  entrance  to  a  fox  den  feathers  of  partridge, 
pheasant  and  wild  turkeys,  tame  turkeys,  chicken  feathers  and  fur 
of  rabbits.  In  this  community  foxes  have  become  so  bold  as 
to  come  to  the  farmer's  barn  for  chickens.  I  also  know  ol 
wildcats  killing-  the  tame  and  wild  turkeys  in  this  township. 

S.   A.   GL'TSH.\I..L,  New  Germantown: 

I  bave  known  liawks,  owls  and  fo.xes  lo  destroy  poultry  and 
song  birds. 


108  ■ 

H.   M.   ALJiXANDEK,   I ).  D.  S..   New   Hloomfield- 

T  have  known  liawks  to  fall  upon  a  tlock  of  quail  until  the 
last  one  was  ffune.  Have  fi-(>quenil.v  founfl  the  remains  of 
pheasants    destioyecl    by    foxt'S   and    other   animals. 

PIKE  COUNTY. 

G.    McKEAN,    Shohola: 

In  hunting-  I  saw  where  one  wildcat  caught  three  pheasants, 
and  in  going  one-half  mile  further  on  I  shot  him  with  one  in 
his   mouth. 

C.    P.    MOTT,    Milford: 

Had  fox  steal  wounded  grouse  from  before  me  before  I 
reached  it;  tracking  snow  told  the  story;  another  occasion 
knew  fox  to  catch  rabbit  that  was  being  run  by  dog;  dog  took 
up  thcr  fox  tracks  and  gave  him  a  long  run;  fox  did  not  .give 
up  the  rabbit.  Knew  case  where  fox  running  before  hound 
caught  a  grouse  and  carried  it  to  hole;  know  cases  of  weasels 
destroying  eggs  in  nest  of  grouse. 

GEORGE    SAWYER,    Mill    Rift: 

Have  seen  in  snow  where  numerous  pheasants  or  Ruffed 
Grouse  have  been  caught  by  foxes;  rabbits  also  meet  the  same 
fate,  as  is  easily  seen  by  going  through  woods  after  a  light 
snow:  weasels  are  very  destructive  to  rabbits.  Have  found 
hundreds  of  rabbits  that  had  been  killed  by  weasels. 

I.   W.    CHAMBERLAIN,   Rowland: 

Have  seen  that  a  great  many  song  birds  are  caught  by  the 
pigeon  hawk,  and  poultry  by  the  common  chicken  hawk. 

GEORGE    ANSLEY,    Paupac: 
Foxes  are  very   destructive  to   turkeys  and   chickens. 

CilA-RLES   L.    HELLER,    Bushkill: 

I  have  seen  the  feathers  w^here  foxes  have  destroyed  pheas- 
ants; have  seen  in  the  snow  where  foxes  have  pursued  labbits 
and  caught  them.  I  have  picked  up  both  pheasants  and  rabbits 
killed  by  weasels. 

R.  VAN  GORDAN,   Dingmans  Perry: 

The  Wildcat  kills  more  birds  and  young  rabbits  than  all  ani- 
mals put  together. 

PHILADELPHIA  COUNTY. 

JOHN    C.    SHALLCROSS,    Frankford: 

On  our  farm  we  lost  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  young 
chickens  last  spring,  and  I  lielieve  it  was  done  by  one  weasel, 
as  no   more   wito   killid   after  we  caught  him. 

HON.  MAHLON  L.  SAVAGE,  Frankford: 

In  Luzerne  county  I  have  obsci-xed  that  the  Great  Hoined 
Owl  is  very  dcsti  uctive  to  Ruffed  Grouse,  and  in  York  county 
I  have  seen  whtie  Coo|ier's  and  Sharp-shinned  hawks  have  de- 
stroyed quail  and  poultry. 


109 

HORACE   ALBRIGHT,   Girard   Building,    Philadelphia: 

I  have  seen  the  chicken  and  pigeon  hawks  catch  birds  uf 
different  kinds. 

POTTER  COUNTY. 

E.   O.   AUSTIN,   Austin: 

I  havo  known  owls  to  catch  pheasants  in  winter  snows; 
hawks  catch  poultry  and  song  birds;  rabbits  are  caught  by 
weasels  and  wildcats,  but  most  of  these  are  good  mousers, 
and  insects  and  larvae  are  their  principal  food,  with  snakes 
and  other  reptiles;  the  house  cat  eats  many  song  birds. 

P.  N.  NEWTON,  Shingle  House: 

Have  seen  several  instances  where  grouse  were  destroyed 
by  the  Cooper's  Hawk;  also  could  name  three  instances  where 
rabbits  were  killed  by  foxes. 

DR.  S.  A.  PHILLIPS,  Coudersport: 

Pheasants  and  woodcock,  destroyed  by  hawks,  owls,  wild- 
cats and  foxes. 

J.  S.  HULL,  Conrad: 

Have  seen  a  number  of  instances  where  partridges  have 
been  killed  by  owls  and  foxes. 

WILLIAM  ARNOLD,   Harrison  Valley: 
Skunk  and  weasel  catching  poultry,  etc. 

A.    S.    HECK,   Coudersport: 

Have  many  times  seen  places  where  Ruffed  Grouse  and  rab- 
bits have  been  killed  by  some  kind  of  animal. 

N.   M.  GLASSMIRE,  Coudersport: 

Have  seen  depredations  committed  by  Fish  Hawk  and  all 
kinds  of  hawks,  all  kinds  of  owls,  fox,  mink,  wildcat,  muskrat, 
'coon  and  bear. 

GEORGE    A.    FARNSWORTH,    Ulysses: 
Have  noticed  the  fox  destroying  young  rabbits. 

DR.  E.  H.  ASHCRAFT,  Coudersport: 

The  Sparrow  Hawk  kills  many  song  birds;  large  hawks  take 
small  poultry. 

SULLIVAN  COUNTY. 

J.  W.  AUMILLER,   Eagle's  Mere: 

I  have  had  as  high  as  forty  or  fifty  chickens  lai<i-(i  in  one 
season    by    hawks. 

R.  W.  WRIGHT,  Eldredsville: 

I  had  eight  hens  killed  last  fall  by  mink;  have  had  hens 
killed  at  other  times  by  the  same  animal. 


no 

K.  S.  CHASE.  Eagles  Mere: 

Have  seen  Fish  Hawks  in  (Uir  lake  killing;  lake  tnnit  hitI 
bass. 

FRANK   HA.VNAN.   Forksville: 

Have  had  seventeen  hens  killed  in  one  night  by'  minks,  and 
many  times  six  to  eight  at  a  time;  foxes  are  death  on  rabbits 
and  pheasants;   owls  are   destriirtive. 

E.    J.    STURDEVANT.    Forksville: 

I  have  seen  foxes  with  pheasants,  rabbits  and  song  birds 
in  their  mouths;  hawks  kill  pheasants  and  gray  squirrels,  and 
skunks  all  kinds  of  song  birds. 

H.   B.    KILMER,    Shunk: 

Wildcats  kill  young  deer  and  rabbits;  foxes,  weasels  and 
mdnks  kill  rabbits,  pheasants  and  poultry. 

MATNARD  J.   PHILIPS,  Muncy  Valley: 
Hawks,  weasels,  skunks,   owls  destroy  poultry,   game,  etc. 

FRANK  W.  BUCK,  Dushore: 

My  dog  retrieved  two  pheasants  last  season  in  less  than  one 
hour  that  a  hawk  had  killed,  full-grown  birds;  they  just  had 
the  back  part  of  the  head  eaten  away  and  were  still  warm. 

JOHN  CORCORAN,  Overton: 

Fish  hawks,  blue  hawks,  hen  hawks  and  foxes. 

CARL   F.    HESS,    Piatt: 
Hawks,  foxes  and  skunks,  destroying  poultry,  etc. 

J.    L.   NOAGLAND.    Lincoln   Falls: 
Have  seen  hawks  catching  poultry   many   times. 

H.  W.  OSLER,  Lincoln  Falls: 
Foxes,   minks,   wildcats,    destroying   game,    poultry,   etc. 

SOMERSET  COUNTY. 

W.    II.    II.    BAKER.   Trent: 

Hawks  kill  pheasants  and  quail;  foxes  destroy  pheasants  and 
quail. 

H.  STEWART  BOUCHER,  Glade: 

In  traveling  through  woods  I  have  frequently  found  pheas- 
ants and  rabbits  that  had  been  killed  by  foxes  and  hawks. 

JEROME   STOFFO,  Jenners: 

Hawks  are  very  destructive  to  pheasants,  chickens  and 
small  birds,  as  all  our  farmers  will  testify. 

WILLIAM  ZREFALL  and  J.  P.  CASSELMAN,  Somerset: 

Chickens  and  rabbits  by  foxes,  minks,  and  skunks;  song 
birds    by    hawks. 


Ill 

J.    p.    BARCLAY.    BakKisvlUe: 

Have  known  skunks,  weasels  and  minks  to  go  to  barns  and 
hen  coops  and  kill  poultry  until  caught  and  killed,  and  have 
known  foxes  to  catch  young  lambs  and  carry   them  off. 

HAY   &   HAY,    Attorneys-at-Law,    Somerset: 

Pigeon  hawks  are  very  destructive  to  song  birds;  red  fox  Is 
destructive  to  poultry. 

DR.  H.  D.  MOORE,  New  Lexington: 

I  see  the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  destroy  song  birds  every 
summer.  Have  knowledge  of  much  poultry  being  d'^.itioyt^d 
by  skunks  and  minks. 

JOSIAH  PILE,  Barronvale: 

The  Sharp-shinned  Hawk,  owl  and  the  mink  have  destroyed 
poultry  to  my  knowledge. 

P.  K.  MOORE,  Trent: 

My  own  and  neighbors'  poultry  by  foxes,  skunks,  minks  and 
weasel*. 

SUSQUEHANNA  COUNTY. 

WILLIAM    D.   TURRELL,    Birchardville: 
Poultry  by  skunks  and  foxes. 

J  AS.  M.  KELLY,  Montrose: 

Have  seen  weasel  and  mink  kill  chickens,  yoting  turkeys 
and  destroying  partridges'  nests.  Hawks  carry  off  grouse 
while  fighting  for  their  young,  and  foxes'  habitations  filled 
with  skins  of  rabbits  and  grouse  feathers. 

W.    OSTERHOUT,    Harford: 

Many  instances  by  owls,  hawks,  foxes,  minks,  weasels  and 
wildcat  destroying  poultry,  game,   etc   (not  barn   owl.) 

H.   S.  ESTABROOK,   Harford: 

February  27.— Saw  to-day  where  an  owl  caught  a  rabbit  and 
ate  it,  but  instances  are  too  numerous  to  especially  mention. 

G.  C.   HOWELL,   New  Milford: 
Have  found  game  birds  and  rabbits  killed  by  foxes  and  owls. 

A.  B.  BURNS,  Montrose: 
Foxes  and  owls  destroying  poultry,  game,   etc. 

JAMES  D.  MACK,  Lathrop: 
Poultry  destroyed   by  crows,   skunks  and   foxes. 

S.    S.    THOIVIAS,    Lynn: 

Have  observed  depredations  committed  by  foxes,  minks  and 
weasels;  other  predatory  animals  are  birds,  and  they  do  some 
good. 


112 

CHARLES   A.   MAIN.   Soulh   Montrose: 
Mink,   weasfl  and  skunk,  on  poultry,   game,   etc. 

J.  R.   BEEBE,  Montrose: 

Have  seen  plenty  of  cases  where  foxes,  minks,  weasels  and 
hawks   had    killed    and    eaten   partridges,    rahbits   and    itnultry 

E.   M.   SAFFORD.   Montrose: 

Skunks  frequently  make  havoc  with  nests  and  young 
chicks;  hawks  and  owls  occasionally  take  a  chicken,  but 
farmers  will  invent  their  own  means  to  drive  them  off, 
and  they  destroy  ten  mice  to  every  chick. 

SNYDER  COUNTY. 

J.  G.   SEIL.ER,  Selinsgrove: 

It  has  come  under  my  observation  where  the  skunk  had 
destroyed  whole  nests  full  of  pheasants'  eggs. 

M.    Z.    STEINNIGER,    Middleburgh: 

In  the  last  few  years  I  know  from  personal  observation  that 
quail,  whole  flocks,  from  fourteen  birds  down,  have  been  de- 
stroyed by  hawks.  When  the  snow  comes  that  is  what  they 
seem  to  live  on.  Have  seen  where  rabbits  have  been  taken  up 
by  them,  by  the  tracks  in  the  snow,  could  see  where  the  wings 
struck  and  a  few  hairs  and  drops  of  blood. 

JOHN   P.   FISHER,   Lowell: 

This  sheet  is  not  larg-e  enough  to  hold  all  personal  observa- 
tions and  instances  where  I  have  seen  where  game  and  poul- 
try have  been  destroyed  by  the  fox,  mink,  and  weasel,  all 
speices  of  hawks  and  all  owls  (except  the  Barn  Owl).  As  you 
go  traveling-  through  the  woods,  you  see  where  a  sly  fox  de- 
stroyed a  pheasant  or  a  rabbit;  a  little  further  on  another; 
here  and  there  in  the  fields  you  can  see  where  a  fox  has 
feasted  on  a  quail.  I  say  put  a  bounty  on  the  above  named 
and  rid  the  country  of  them  and  the  game  will  soon  increase. 

P.  J.  WAGENSELLER,  Selinsgrove; 

Know  of  a  fox  catching  a  turkey  hen  on  her  nest  in  the  field 
and  carrying  her  off;  have  seen  their  tracks  in  the  snow 
where  they  caught  rabbits;  also  pheasants.  Saw  a  weasel 
once  catch  a  quail;  also  saw  one  have  possession  of  a  full- 
grown   rabbit. 

SCHUYLKILL  COUNTY. 

H.  D.  ROEDER,  Lock  Haven: 
Opossum,  hawks  and  owls  destroying  game,  poultry,  etc. 

H.  F.  DEIBERT.  Cressona: 

I  know  a  fox  to  have  killed  three  pheasants  and  seven  rab- 
bits in  one  night,  and  have  chased  him  for  four  year-s,  and  h<' 
is  still  at  liberty. 


118 

W.  L.  BRYANT,   Schuylkill  Haven: 
Have  found  flocks  of  partridges  destroyed  by  foxes. 

P.   C.   PALMER,  Schuylkill: 

Frequently  have  noticed  where  foxes  have  killed  grouse  and 
rabbits  in  the  snow;  have  noticed  many  cases  in  my  twenty 
years  of  shooting  experiences. 

WILLIAM  A.  COCKILL,  Lewellyn: 

Hawks,  minks,  weasels  and  foxes  have  to  live  365  days  in  the 
year  on  what  they  can  catch;  the  damage  they  do  is  evident. 
Have  seen  hawks  catch  chickens  and  pigeons,  song  and  game 
birds;  also  many  evidences  where  foxes,  minks  and  weasels 
caught  rabbits  in  the  snow. 

TIOGA  COUNTY. 

M.  V.  JACKSON,  East  Charleston: 
The  fox  gets  our  pheasants  and  the  skunk  our  poultry. 

C.  H.  WATROUS,  Marshfield: 

Have  seen  young  chickens  and  birds  taken  by  small  hawks; 
wildcats  and  foxes  take  many  hares  and  partridges. 

JAMES  VANDERGRIFT,   Stony  Fork: 

Pheasants  by  foxes;  minks  and  wease.ls  destroy  rabbits  and 
squirrels;  wildcats  catch  deer,  pheasant  and  rabbits;  raccoons 
kill   young  game. 

A.  B.  DOAN,  Little  Marsh: 
Hawks,  owls  and  weasels  destroying  poultry,  game,   etc. 

F.   C.   FIELD.   Balsam: 

I  believe  nearly  all  the  owls  and  hawks  will  at  times  attack 
birds  and  small  game,  but  they  do  more  good  than  harm  by 
catching  mice. 

F.  B.  SMITH,  Tioga: 

Fall  of  1896,  know  of  two  Ruffed  Grouse,  full  grown,  killed  by 
foxes 

W.  C.   BABCOCK,  Blossburg: 

The  destruction  caused  by  the  fox.  mink,  skunk  and  weasel 
are   too   common. 

C.  E.  GRAHAM,  Lorenton: 

Foxes,  minks,  skunks,  hawks,  owls  destroying  poultry  and 
game. 

J.  M.  WHITCOMB,  Ogdensburg: 
Skunk,  fox  and  coon,  on  game,  poultry,  etc. 

W.  W.   SEAMAN,   Nauvoo: 
Many  instances  to  poultry,  game,  etc.  , 

8-n 


114 

D.  THOMPSON,   Wellsboro: 
Hawks   are   the   most   destructive    to    poultiy,   game,   etc. 

C.   A.   KENNEDY,    Morris: 

In  May,  1896,  I  was  going  u|>  Lung  Uuii  mi  the  log  train, 
when  I  saw  a  fox  not  ten  feet  from  the  track  jump  into  a 
brush  heap,  and  when  he  raised  up  he  had  a  partridge  in  his 
mouth.  Upon  investigation  I  found  a  nest  with  twelve  eggs 
in  it,  and  have  often  seen  in  the  woods  where  foxes  and  cata- 
mounts have  caught  partridges  and  rabbits. 

W.  WAGNER,   Academy  Corners: 

1  have  seen  hawks  kill  song  birds;  one  species,  I  ihink  thf 
long-tailed   chicken   hawk,    destroys   the   young   partridges. 

W.   E.   CAMPAIGN,   Wellsboro: 

Have  seen  hawks  catch  song  birds,  and  have  seen  in  snow 
wh€re  foxes  caught  grouse. 

W.  WAGNER,  Academy  Corners: 

In  the  summer  of  1894  a  fire  burned  about  three  thousand 
acres  of  land.  This  destroyed  the  game  in  that  section.  It  was 
caused  by  a  man  burning  a  yellow  jacket's  nest.  It  destroyed 
several   thousand   dollars'   w^orth   of   property. 

VENANGO  COUNTY. 

H.  C.  DORWORTH,  Oil  City: 

The  foxes  in  this  neighborhood  are  the  greatest  enemies  of 
the  grouse.  I  saw  where,  during  a  period  of  four  weeks, 
eight  grouse  had  been  caught  and  eaten  by  the  same  old  fox 
in  one  copse  of  about  one  hundred  acres.  I  tracked  him  to 
his  hole  and  tried  to  shoot  him  at  different  times;  he  was 
finally  killed.  This  was  very  near  Oil  City.  If  the  other  foxes 
do  as  well  on  full-grown  birds,  you  can  imagine  what  they 
can  do  on  young  birds  in  the  early  summer.  You  cannot  go 
a  mile  from  here  without  crossing  fox  tracks. 

R.   G.   L.JlMBF:RTON,  Oil  City: 

Frequently  find  the  remains  of  grouse  an<i  rabbits  partly 
eaten  by  foxes  and  chicken,  hawks. 

JOHN  A.  WILSON,  Franklin: 

Have  shot  a  number  of  hawks,  and  each  one  was  just  at  a 
meal  of  grouse. 

WARREN  COUNTY. 

AL.   AL/BAUGH,   Tldioute: 

Weasels,  minks,  foxes,  polecats,  hawks,  owls  and  raccoons 
destroying  poultry,  game,  etc. 

ELI  S.  KELLER,  Warren: 

I  find  in  my  hunting  that  minks,  weasels,  foxes,  wildcats, 
owls  and  hawks  ai-e   very  destructive. 


115 

J.  H.   WILKINS.  Cherry  Grove: 
Hawks,   skunks,    'coons  and    weasels    destroying   pouUiy,    etc. 

F.  F.   WELD,   Sugar  Grove: 

Rabbits  killed  by  fox  and  mink,  poultiy  by  hawks,  brooding 
partridges  greatly   pestered   by   foxes. 

H.   B.    BLAXDING,   Barnes: 

I  have  known  of  red  squirrels  taking  small  birds,  skunks  will 
take  eggs  from  under  a  pheasant,  and  sometlm.es  the  pheasant, 
too;  owls  killed  four  of  my  hens  in  one  night,  and  a  sfkunk 
took  ten  young  chicks  of  mine  in  one  night  also. 

W.   S.   PEIRCE,   Warren: 

Frequently  see  during  the  early  snow  in  the  winter  a  bunch 
of  grouse  feathers  on  the  snow  with  fox  or  wildcat  tracks  lead- 
ing from  them:  eggs  broken  in  the  spring  with  the  odor  of  the 
skunk  still  about  the  nest. 

RICHARD  B.   STEWART,   Warren: 

Hawks  killing  young  grouse  and  rabbit?:  foxes  and  wildcats 
leave  nothing  but  the  feathers. 

W.  P.  HUNTER,  Warren: 
Hen   haw'ks  and  fish  hawks  destroying  game,  poultry,  etc. 

T.  J.  H.   IRWIN,   Warren: 
Poultry  by   owls  and   hawks. 

E.  B.  EVERTS,  Corydon: 

Last  fall  I  shot  two  fish  hawks  in  the  act  of  taking  fish.  T 
also  shot  about  twelve  kingfishers. 

WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 

NORWOOD  JOHNSTON,  Canonsburg: 

To  see  a  hawk  in  this  county  is  a  sure  sign  that  there  Is  i\ 
covey  of  quail   in   the   vicinity. 

CHARLES  G.  McILVAINE,  Monongahela: 

Fox,  hawk  and  owl  are  very  destructive  to  quail,  pheasant 
and  rabbit.  I  have  found  feathers  and  tracks,  and  observed 
where  large  numbers  of  quail  had  been  destroyed.  The  salt 
and  sulphur  water  from  mines  hurt  the  fish. 

J.  T.  PARKINSON,   Sparta: 

I  believe  the  telephone  and  telegraph  wires  destroy  more 
song  birds  than  any  other  cause. 

GEORGE  iMONTGOMERY,  Washington: 

The  oil  industry'  has  been  the  cause  of  killing  most  of  Dur 
fish  in   this  section. 


no 


WAYNE  COUNTY. 

T.    C.    MADDKN,    Newfoundland: 

Chicken  hawk,  fox,  mink  and  polecat  destroying  poultry, 
game,   etc. 

GEORGE   M.   DAY,    Dyberry: 

Mink  in  former  years  was  very  destructive  to  poultry,  wild- 
cats very  destructive  to  rabbits;  no  personal  loss  in  past  two 
years.  Higher  prices  for  minks'  fur  have  reduced  their  num- 
ber to  a  minimum;  wfldcat  fur  very  low,  twenty  to  fifty  cents, 
and  they  may  increase  in  number  unless  bounty  is  raised. 

TUNIS  SMITH,  South  Sterling: 

Have  seen  where  pheasants,  rabbits  and  birds  have  been 
killed  by  cats,   foxes,   skunks,   minks  and  hawks. 

WESTMORELAND  COUNTY. 

S.  V.  SPROUL,  Derry  Station: 

Can  give  information  to  quail  killed  by  minks;  have  seen 
many  cases. 

G.  B.  STRIPE,  Bradenville: 
Mostly  by  boys  and  foreigners. 

J.    B.    FRY,   Welty: 

Rabbits  killed  by  weasels  and  owls;  poultry  by  weasels,  and 
rabbits  by  polecates;  song  birds  by  hawks  and  English  spar- 
rows. 

A.   B.    HABERLIN,    Lycippus: 

I  have  seen  many  rabbits  killed  by  the  night  owl.  many 
young  birds  killed  by  the  crows,  and  nests  and  eggs  de- 
stroyed; have  seen  many  killed  by  fox  and  mink. 

R.  H.  BUSH,  Paulton: 

Have  seen  hawks  and  foxes  carry  off  young  chickens  ami 
kill   old  ones. 

J.    F.   HANGER,    Donegal: 

I  have  seen  game  fish,  poultry  and  song  birds  destroyed  by 
the  pigeon  and  chicken  hawk,  owl,  fox,  mink  and  weasel. 

JOHN  Y.  WOODS,  ESQ.,  Greensburg: 

Have  often  seen  the  evidences  of  pheasants  and  quail  de- 
stroyed   by    hawks. 

W.   P.  DIXON,  Livermore: 
Hawks,   owls  and  foxes   destroying  game,   poultry,   etc. 

HON.  J.  C.  CAMPBELL.  Derry  Station: 

I  find  the  mink,  weasel  and  the  domestic  cat  are  very  de- 
structive of   rabbits,    pheasants   and    quail   when    young. 


1 17 

JOS.   M.  CAHN,  Derry: 

I  have  seen  chicken  hawks  kill  (uiail  ami  fi-p<|iifnt  casfs 
where  foxes  have  killed  pheasants. 

GEORGE  F.  AUSTRAW,  Millwood: 
Polecat,  mink,  weasel  and  fox  destroying  game,  poultry,  etc. 

HON.  AMOS  TROUT,  Armhurst: 

Hawks  and  owls  kill  birds  often  in  hard  winters;  the  worst 
enemy  to  fish   is   the   seine. 

WYOMING  COUNTY. 

HENRY  YOUNG,  Centremoreland: 

Foxes  destroy  more  poultry,  rabbits  and  pheasants  than  are 
sent    to   market. 

O.  O.  BARNES,  Lovelton: 

Cannot  raise  ducks,  geese  or  turkeys  where  I  live;  lose  at 
least  half  our  chickens;  hawks  take  the  chicks,  and  owls, 
minks,  wildcats  and  raccoons  take  the  birds  when  large 
enough  to  roam  the  fields  and  woodlands.  I  lose  twenty-five 
to  fifty  young  chicks  every  year,  and  have  lost  as  high  as 
thirty  two-thirds  grown  turkeys  in  one  season  by  minks,  owls 
and   'coons. 

C.  A.  OTTER,  Bellasylva: 

I  have  often  seen  hawks  catch  birds,  and  I  saw  an  owl 
catch  a  large  squirrel  on  a  birch  tree  at  midday. 

T.    D.    SCHANTZ,    Ricketts: 
Have  seen  fox  have  a  white  rabbit. 

E.   D.   ROBINSON,   Forkston: 

Saw  tracks  in  snow  where  a  wildcat  caught  one  of  my  sheep; 
saw  weasel  killing  poultry;  saw  were  mink  killed  poultry 
and  rabbits.  Have  frequently  seen  bg-wks  carrying  off  poultry; 
owls  are  sure  to  get  some  of  my  poultry  if  they  roost  in  the 
trees. 

J.    T.    KETCH  LEDGE,    Tunkhannock: 

The  hawk,  owl  and  fox  are  very  destructive  to  every  kind  of 
game  and  fish,  and  also  to  poultry  and  song  birds. 

YORK  COUNTY. 

J.   G.    PATTERSON,   Stewartstown: 

I  have  had  eighty  chickens  killed  by  minks  in  two  suc- 
cessive nights;  also  eighteen  young  goslings  in  one  night  by 
minks,  and  many  young  ducks.  Many  of  my  neighbors  have 
suffered  from  the  depredations  of  minks,  weasels,  foxes  and 
skunks. 

CHARL.ES    INES,   York. 
Have   personal    knowledge   of    hawUs    killing    a    whole    covey 


PS 

of  quail  during  winter  inontbis.  an^     lear  such  reports  frrun  all 
over  country. 

HON.  GERARD  C.  BROWN,  Yorkana: 

The  crow,  jay,  polecat  and  'possum;  also  the  blacksnake  eat 
the  eggs  of  birds;  the  hawk,  weasel,  fox  and  some  owls  eat 
the  birds. 

A.  C.  KRUEGER,  Wrightsville: 

The  so-called  pigeon  hawk  has  conif  under  my  notice  on 
several  occasions  as  a  poultry  destroyer. 

W.   H.  BURNHAM,  York: 
Quail  by  hawk. 

MARSHALL  F.    JONES,    Slate    Hill: 

I  often  see  the  carcases  of  rabbits  and  the  remains  of  the 
nest  of  quail,  with  eggs  strewn  around,  which,  in  nine-tenths 
of  the  cases,  was  done  without  a  doubt  by  the  worthless  cur 
dogs  which   infest   this   community. 


WHAT  FARMERS  SAY  OF  THE  CROW. 


In  reply  to  the  question,  "Do  crows  commit  serious  damage 
to  poultry  in  your  locality  by  stealing  eggs  and  catching  the 
young  of  domestic  fowls?"  answers  were  received  as  follows: 

ADAMS  COUNTY. 

DR.    C.    E.    GOLDSBOROUGH,    Hunterstown: 

Yes,  they  are  the  most  destructive  of  all  birds,  and  cause 
more  loss  than  all  the  other  birds  and  animals  combined. 
They  are  more  audacious  than  hawks,  and  by  hatching  in  our 
woods,  "are  always  with  us." 

PETER   THORN,   Gettysburg: 
Yes. 

E.    MORRIS    BUSHMAN.    Gettysburg: 

Yes,  they  are  very  bold  while  raising  their  young;  after 
that  they  cause  no  trouble. 

L.  W.  LIGHT Y,  East  Berlin: 

No,  I  was  largely  in  the  poultry  business  for  years,  and  the 
crow  never  did  any  damage  to  me  worth  mentioning.  They 
are  useful  birds  to  the  farmers.  Of  this  I  am  sure  from  ob- 
servations. 


119 

ROBERT  H.   CURRENS,   Gettysburg: 
Yes. 

AARON  J.   WEIDNER,  Arendtsville: 
No  serious  damage;  they  often  carry  off  little  cliiciis. 

C.    L.   LONGSDOllF,   Flora  Dale: 

Not  where  the  poultry  is  properly  cared  for.  Crows  and 
blackbirds  are  destroyed  only  by  persons  who  are  too  ignoraJii 
to  recognize  their  friends. 

W.  H.  BLACK.  Flora  Dale: 

Crows  commit  some  damages  as  indicated,  but  wlien  we  fin- 
some  blank  shots  when  they  appear  too  audacious,  they  keep 
off  and  are  little  trouble  thereafter. 

THEO.  McAllister,   Barlow: 

The  crow  is  one  of  the  worst  enemies  to  pri)tilable  ixuillry 
industry;  they  steal  eggs  and  also  young  chicks. 

R.  WILLIAM  BREAM,  Gettysburg: 
Yes;  most  emphatically. 

ALLEGHENY  COUNTY. 

HON.  J  AS.  M.  B.   ROBB,   Oakdale: 
No. 

J.   S.   KEEFER,   Braddock: 

No  ;  it  is  a  rare  sight  to  see  a  crow.  1  do  not  think  1  liav^- 
seen  one  this  spring. 

ARMSTRONG  COUNTY. 

W.    R.    RAMALEY,    Cochran's   Mills: 

Yes,  but  I  think  the  good  they  do  will  overbalance  the 
harm. 

W.  M.  JACKSON,  Kittanning: 
Not  much. 

JACOB    FISHER,    Atwood: 

Some  times  they  steal  a  few  eggs  and  pull  a  little  corn,  yet 
I  think  they  are  of  benefit  to  the  farmer  by  gathering  worms 
and  larvae  that  destroy  our  crops  and  small  fruit. 

HEAVER  COUNTY. 

HON.    IRA   MANSFIELD,    Beaver: 
Yes,  very  limited. 

BRADFORD  COUNTY. 


J.  W.   KETCH.\M,   Minnequa: 
No. 


120 

A.  T.  L.n^L.b^Y,  LeKoy: 

No. 

BLAIK  COIJNTV. 

GKORGP:   M.   PATTERSON,   Williamsbury : 
Very  much. 

FRED.  JAEKEL,  HolUdaysburg: 
No. 

HENRY  S.  WERTZ,  Duncanville: 

I  have  known  them  to  carry  away  hens'  eggs  and  young 
chicks. 

BERKS  COUNTY. 

OLIVER  D.   SCHOCK,   Hamburg: 

The  aggregate  loss  is  not  heavy.  Years  ago  the  loss  was 
much  greater. 

FRED.   B.  HOSSLER,  Hamburg: 
Yes,  but  at  the  same  time  feed  on  grubs  . 

GEORGE  D.  FAHRENBACH,  West  Reading: 

They  destroy  all  the  eggs  in  nests  outside  of  building  and 
catch  young  poultry. 

JAMES  McGOWAN,  Geiger's  Mills: 

Yes,  they  do;  also  many  a  farmer  loses  a  corn  crop  by  the 
crows  pulling  the  corn  out  about  the  time  it  comes  up;  they 
are  getting  too  plenty. 

A.   M.  YOUNG,  Womelsdorf: 
They  do. 

FRANK  B.  BROWN,  West  Leesport; 

Only  with  farmers  or  poultry  raisers  living  near  the  Blue 
Mountains,  or  near  some  forest.  In  rare  cases,  isolated  farms 
that  are  not  near  a  woods  are  troubled  in  this  way. 

R.  W.  SCHE;RER,  Manatawny: 
No. 

A.  H.  ADAMS,  Jacksonwald: 
Yes. 

HENRY  A.   MILLER,   Shoemakersville: 
Yes,  especially  eating  eggs  and  catching  young  chicks. 

M.  D.  HUNTER,    Stony   Creek   Mills: 
No,  not  to  my  knowledge. 

CYRUS  T.   FOX,   Reading: 

They  ai"e  somewhat  destructive,  but  compensate  therefore 
by    devouring   insect    pests. 


121 

CHARLES  AMMARELL.   Reading: 
They   do  not. 

BEDFORD  COUNTY. 

J.    W.    SMITH,    Yellow    Creek: 

Very  little;  the  most   trouble  we  have   with    them   is  pulling 
up  the  young  corn. 

DAVID    HOLDERBAUM,    Bedford: 
Not  serious. 

C.  J.  POTTS,  Bedford: 
Yes.    , 

BUCKS  COUNTY. 

HON.  EASTBURN  REEDER,  New  Hope: 

Crows  are  quite  troublesome  at  times,   stealing  eggs,   eating 
young  chickens   and   pulling  up   corn. 

JAMES  L.  BRANSON,  Langhorne: 
Not   much. 

H.   W.   COMFORT,    Falsington: 
Crows  annually  destroy  many   young  chickens. 

ASHER  MATTISON,  New  Hope: 

No. 
LOUISE   D.    BAGGS,    Bristol: 

No. 
HARRY  E.  GRIM.  Perkasie: 

No. 

CLEARFIELD  COUNTY. 

SAMUEL  HALL,    McGee's   Mills: 

Crows  do  no  harm  to  poultry  in  this  county:  the  worst  harm 
they  do  is  to  corn  and  grain  fields. 

W.    S.    GREENE,    DuBois: 

I  have   never  known   them   to   do   so;   crows   are   apparently 
becoming  scarcer  year  after  year. 

HARRISON    STRAW,   Kerrmoor: 
The  crows  carry  off  a  few  chickens,  but  not  many. 

FRANK  G.  HARRIS,  Clearfield: 
Yes. 

CARBON  COUNTY. 

<",.   T.    WELLS,    Rockport: 

About   the  only  damage  crows  do  in   this   locality    is   in   corn 


122 

fields;  in  ihe  t^pniig  Iht-y  pull  up  Lhe  corn  and  in  the  fall  they 
destroy  a  great  deal  before  it  is  harvested,  and  my  opinion  is 
they  do  more  damage  than  they   do  good. 

E.  BAUER,  East  iVTauch  Chunk: 
No. 

CHESTER  COUNTY. 

FRANCIS  JACOBS.  West  Chester; 

Yes,  they  are  a  direct  enemy  to  the  farmer,  damaj^ins  t  h^ 
corn  crops  to  a  great  extent,  and  should  be  exterminated. 

AI.Ti:XANDER    HODGSON,    Cochranville: 

It  occasionally  takes  eggs;  they  are  decent  birds  cimipaied 
with    the    sparrow.  ' 

JOSIAH  HOOPES,  West  Chester: 

Yes,  far  more  damage  than  all  the  hawks,  and  yet  he  is  ex- 
ceedingly beneficial  to  the  farmer. 

JOHN   H.   HICKS,    Avondale: 

The  crow  will  take  the  eggs  of  any  fowl  that  don't  have  a 
protected  nest  away  from  buildings,  and  will  carry  off  a  good 
sized  young  chicken,   turkey,   etc. 

W.  H.   BRINTON.  Atglen: 

It  has  been  my  experience  that  the  crow  does  little  damage, 
except  in   fields  of  corn   that  are   late   IxMug   harvested. 

JOHN  L,.  BALDERSTON,  Kennett  Square: 
They  do  much  damage  in  this  way. 

EDWARD   NORRIS,    West   Chester: 

Yes,  they  do;  they  are  great  robbers,  of  more. than  ordinary 
cunning,  and  will  steal  the  eggs  and  young  of  nearly  all  birds 
as  well  as  poultry.  They  are  particularly  hard  on  guinea 
fowls  who  have  stolen  their  nests  away  from  the  barn  build- 
ings. 

JOS.  S.  WALTON,  Ercildoun: 
No. 

HARRY   WILSON,    Gum   Tree: 

Yes,  much  damage  to  turkeys  and  guinea  fowl  raisers.  Have 
seen  crow  sit  on  stake  of  worm  fence  and  wait  for  turkey 
hen  to  lay,  and  to  follow  guinea  fowls  about  until  laying  time 
to  ascertain  the  location  of  nest,  and  as  they  cannot  break  a 
guinea  egg  with  bill,  they  catch  it  in  claws,  fly  up  and  droj) 
it  on  fence  or  hard  ground  to  break  it.  Have  seen  crows 
eat  four  young  chickens  in  succession;  they  are  very  bold  and 
rapacious. 

SAMUEL  MARSHALL.    West   Chester: 

Carry  off  a  few  young  chickens  and  an  occasional  egg  from 
nests   in   field,    etc. 


123 

AUGUSTUS    BROSIUS.    Avundale: 
Only  occasionally  does  damage  of  this  kind  occur. 

E.  INGRAM,  West  Chester: 

Sometimes  a  pair  of  crows  having  a  nest  near  are  trouble- 
some to  young-  chickens,  but  they  readily  fall  a  victim  to  a 
poisoned  egg. 

WILLIAM  H.   SHARPLESS,  West  Chester: 
They  do  not. 

R.    F.    COCHRAN.    Cochranville: 
Yes. 

J.   HIBBERD   BARTRAM,   Milltown: 

They^do  considerable  damage,  particularly  in  catching  young 
poultry;  have  lost  several  this  spring,  but  have  shot  some  of 
the   crows. 

S.  E.  PASCHALL.  West  Chester: 
No;  some  complaints,   but  not  many. 

ADDISON  L.   JONES,   Principal   West   Chester   High    School: 
No. 

I.   FRANK  CHANDLER,   Toughkenamon: 

They  take  eggs  when  laid  from  the  buildings  ami  <b'sli<iy 
young    poultry. 

FRANK  L.  BURNS,  Berwyn: 

Not  when  properly  looked  after;  when  nesting  in  the  open 
or  wandering  w'lh  small  young  in  or  near  woods,  it  is  a  com- 
mon occurrence  to  lose  eggs  and  young  frequently,  but  it  is 
not  always  traceable   to  crows. 

THOMAS   SHARPLESS.  West  Chester: 

Crows  seldom  molest  my  poultry,  but  are  quite  destructive 
to  our  native  song  birds  by  stealing  the  eggs  from  the  nests. 

DR.  JOHN  R.   EVERHART,  West  Chester: 

Have  known  crows  to  cajtch  small  chickens;  also  to  take  the 
eggs    of    other   birds. 

H.   F.    LEISTER,    Superintendent   of   Schools.    Phoenixville; 
Yes. 

CLINTON  COUNTY. 

W.  A   .SNYDER.   Salona: 
Rarely. 

B.   F.  FLETCHER.   IjOqU.  Haven: 

No;  they  do  not  come  into  town,  imt  in  the  country  the\- 
steal  eggs  when  possible. 


124 

DAVID  MAPES.   Beoch   Creek: 

Crows  have  takon  not  less  than  lifty  chickens  Injni  us  this 
season,  and  two-thirds  of  the  first  laying  of  eggs  from  eight 
turkeys,  six  or  seven  dqz£n,  and  several  young  turkeys,  besides 
pulling  up  eorn  to  the  amount  of  nearly  an  acre,  which  had  to 
be  replanted. 

CENTUE  COUNTY. 

WILLIAM   H.    MILLER,    Secretai-y     Logan     Grange,     No.     109, 

Bellefonte: 

They  get  away  with  all  the  eggs  they  can  find,  but  do  not 
interfere  with  the  chicks.  When  my  seed  corn  is  coming  out 
of  the  ground  (I  sow  corn  along  the  fences  in  the  corn  field), 
then  they  hunt  for  the  cut  worm  and  do  not  interfere  with  the 
planted  corn. 

CLARION  COUNTY. 

FRANK  KELL,   Kingsville: 

They  are  somewhat  addicted  to  catching  young  chickens 
and  stealing  eggs;  are  more  shy  fhan  the  hawk. 

A.  G.  DAVIS,  Clarion: 
No. 

ED.    M.    McEUTIRE,    Frampton: 
They    do    not. 

CAMBRIA  COUNTY. 

DR.  I.  MANCHER.  Carrollton: 
No. 

W.  R.  THOMPSON,  Ebensburg: 
No;  not  to  any  extent. 

LEIGHTON    ROWLAND.    Vetera: 
No. 

CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 

HARRY  C.  KIRKPATRICK,  Meadville: 

Live  in  town,  so  have  not  seen  them,  but  that  they  do  some- 
times, I  know  to  be  a  fact,  being  told  by  farmers,  and  I  have 
seen  them  destroying  the  nests  and  eggs  and  eating  the  young 
of  wild  birds. 

JAMES  TURNER,  Meadville: 

No. 

MRS.  J.  R.  HEAD,  Saegerstown: 
They    do   not. 


125 

J.  M.  BIDDLE,  Saegerstown: 

To  no  groat  amount;   think   they   do   as   much  good   as  har; 
in   catching    mice    and   grasshoppers. 

W.    H.    SEWARD,    Rundells: 

No. 
A.    A.    GALLUP,    Dicksonburg: 

No. 

GEORGE    T.    WRIGHT,    Meadville: 

Have  never  known  a  crow  to  molest  poultry.  Formerly 
they  were  considered  pests,  but  they  have  ceased  to  trouble 
poultry  raisers  in  this  immediate  vicinity. 

GEORGE  SPITLER,  Mosiertown: 
Not  much,  only  on  small  birds. 

COLUMBIA  COUNTY. 

PROF.  J.  P.  WELSH,  Bloomsburg: 

Not  serious.  They  do  steal  some  eggs  and  chicks;  have  no- 
ticed they  are  very  likely  to  steal  turkey  eggs,  as  turkeys  nest 
away   from  buildings. 

HON.  EDWARD  M.  TEWKSBURY,  Catawissa: 

Not  very  much;  some  crows  do,  however,  destroy  many  of 
the  nests  of  robins,  orioles,  etc.  Let  every  man  be  a  "law  uiito 
himself"  as  far  as  crows.  Outlaw  the  hawks,  etc.,  and  let  a 
bounty  be  put  on  their  heads:  hawks  never  die,  but  like  WHU- 
lams'  cat,  "must  be  shot."  Hawks  do  not  propagate  rapidly, 
hence  killing  a  few  ends  the  chapter. 

DR.  McCREA,  Berwick; 
To  some  extent,   but   not  seriously. 

CUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

HENRY    S.    RUPP,   Shiremanstown: 
No,  crows  do  little  damage  to  anything. 

DAUPHIN  COUNTY. 

E.   C.   BRINZER,   Middletown; 
They  catch  young  poultry  when  they  get  an  opportunity. 

ERIE  COUNTY. 

O.  D.  VAN  CAMP,  Girard: 

They  do  but  little  damage  in  or  about  towns,  but  in  the 
country  I  have  known  them  to  destroy  many  eggs  and  chickens 

ROBERT   DILL,    North   East: 
No;  T  think  crows  do  more  good  than  harm. 


126 

r.  E.  FENTON,  North  East: 
No. 

W.  W.  DERBY,  Erie: 

Never  heard  of  any  injury  being  done  by  crows  in  the  man- 
ner named. 

J.  C.  THORNTON,  Avonia: 
They    dig   up   corn. 

J.  C.  CAMPBELL,   North   East; 
No. 

C.  W.  PAGE,  North  East: 
No. 

FAYETTE  COUNTY. 

DR.   LOUIS   ARENSBERG,   Heisterstovvn: 

Crows  steal  eggs  whenever  they  get  a  chance;  they  seldom 
take  young  chickens;  the  corn  fields  suffer  more  than  the 
poultry. 

FtJLTON  COUNTY. 

CLEM.  CHESTNUT.  Hustontown: 
Yes. 

FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 

HON.   W.   W.    BRITTON,   Upper  Strasburg: 

Not  very  serious.  I  do  not  V)plieve  all  crows  steal  eggs  and 
young  fowls.  I  think  there  are  certain  individual  crows  that 
are  expert  in  the  business. 

CHRISTIAN  W.  GOOD,  Waynesboro: 

They  steal  some  eggs  and  sometimes  take  quite  young 
peeps,  but  they  are  so  easily  scared  off  and  kept  away  that 
I  am  rather  inclined  toward  saying  that  the  matter  is  not 
very  serious. 

H.  B.  CRAIG,   Welsh   Run: 
Yes. 

W.    S.    REED,    Altenwald: 
They  do. 

HUNTINGDON  COUNTY. 

E.    B.   HARENEAME,    Nnrrace: 
Sometimes. 

GEORGE  W.  OWENS.  Birmingham: 

Not  as  a  rule,  yet  occasionally  a  crow  will  learn  the  trick 
of  stealing  eggs  and  little  "peep"  chickens.     If  you  succeed  In 


J  27 

killing    him    that    is    the  end  of  it.     There    is    a   certain    hawk 
which  is  a  very  bad  enemy  to  poultry. 

J.  PETER  SNYDER.  Huntingdon: 
They   mostly   steal  eggs. 

INDIANA  COUNTY. 

p.    M.    HODGE,    Blairsville: 

Not  serious;  occasionally  commit  slight  depredations;  black- 
birds   drive    away    crows. 

A.   M.   HAMMERS,   Indiana: 
No. 

HARRY  LEARN,   Cookport: 

The  crow  is  one  of  the  most  destructive  birds  in  our  locality 
at  the  present  day;  he  destroys  more  corn  in  one  day  than 
would   feed   a   thousand   sparrows   in    one   month. 

I.  D.  SPICHER,   Hillsdale: 
They  very  often  steal  the  eggs  and  young  chicks. 

JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 

KMMA  C.  McGAREY,  Stanton; 

No;  they  are  no  trouble,  only  as  they  bothor  the  coni  when 
coming    through    the   ground. 

H.   C.   HIMES.   Content: 

Considerable. 
JOHN   H.  JOHNS.   Krookville: 

No. 

JUNIATA  COUNTY. 

S.  E.   RHINE,  Pyleston. 
Yes. 

JEREMIAH    KELLER,    Mifflintown: 

No  crows  are  about  here,  but  in  the  townships  they  very  fre- 
(luently  catch  and  carry  off  the  young  of  domestic  fowls. 

WELLINGTON   SMITH.   Mifflintown: 

Yes,  they  do  more  to  depopulate  our  native  birds  than  all 
other  agencies  combined.  Before  the  sparrow  came  the  native 
bird  was  finding  shelter  near  the  dwelling;  now  there  is  no 
hope.  Both  the  crow  and  the  sparrow  are  great  destroyers 
and  ought  to  be  exterminated  if  this  is  possible. 

WILLIAM   A.  THOM.VS.  Miftlintown: 
Yes. 

JI.    C.    HOWET,   Miminluwn: 

They  do  serious  damage  to  poultry;  are  noted  for  their  fond- 


ness  for  eggs,  whilst  they  also  curry   oft  a  gnul   many  youiij? 
ducks    and    chickens. 

J.  W.   MILLIKEN,   Honey   Grove: 
They   do. 

DENNY   M.   MARSHALL,    Walnut. 
Yes. 

SAMUEL  SCHLEYD,  East  Saleni: 
Yes. 

G.   S.  LUKENS,  East  Salem: 
They   do. 

H.  J.   SHALLENBERGER,   McAllisterville: 
They  do  some  damage. 

J.  W.  McCAHAN,  Walnut: 

No. 

J.   C.   LAUTZ,   Thompsontown: 
Yes. 

W.  P.  BELL.  Reed's  Gap: 
Yes. 

LANCASTER  COUNTY. 

A.   BOWMAN,    Marietta: 
No. 

MONTILION  BROWN,  Wakefield: 

Takes  occasionally  a  few  eggs  and  small  chicks,  but  he  is 
easily  scared;  a  few  shots  will  keep  him  at  a  distance. 

JOHN  CREADY,  Mount  Joy: 
Yes,  very  much. 

HON.  JOHN  H.   LANDIS,   Millersville: 

No  serious  damage,   tc  the  best  of  my  knowledge. 

W.  P.  BRINTON,  Christiana: 
In  a  few  instances,  yes. 

P.  S.  REIST,  Lititz: 

Crows  are  considered  injurious  to  places  where  they  can 
steal  eggs  and  catch  young  chickens. 

WILLIAM  M.  MAULE,  Collins: 

During  nesting  season,  especially  when  they  have  young, 
crows  do  cany  off  a  considerable  number  of  young  chickens 
and   eggs. 

GEORGE    CR.ANE,    MountvilJe: 
Yes. 


I2!» 

E.   B.  KNGLE,  Marietta: 

No. 

H.  JUSIN  RODDY.  Millersville: 
No,   except  in  more  rural  districts. 

J.   G.   RUSH,   West  Willow: 
No. 

JOHN  H.  EPLER,  Elizabetlitown: 

Not  here  in  town,  but  close  to  their  breeding?  places  they  are 
bad. 

LACKAWANNA  COUNTY. 

DR.  I.  F.  EVERHART,  Scranton: 

Occasionally  he  is  a  marauder,  but  his  many  good  traits 
overbalance  all  the  mischief  he  may  do  to  early  corn  and  in 
the   poultry   yard. 

LEBANON  COUNTY. 

J.  L.  LONG,  Richland: 
They  steal  all  the  young  chicks  and  eggs  they  can  get. 

JOHN  W.  SNOKE,  Annville: 
Yes,  much  havoc  is  committed  by  this  bird. 

H.  C.  SNAVELY,  Lebanon: 

The  crow  certainly  has  an  appetite  for  eggs  and  spring 
chicltens;  their  depredations  would  be  serious  if  not  re- 
strained. About  this  time  (April)  it  is  not  well  to  be  too 
familiar  with  his  crowship.  A  shot  gun  has  a  restraining  In- 
fluence. 

LEHIGH  COUNTY. 

W.   B.  K.   JOHNSON,   Allentown: 

I  do  not  raise  poultry.  Some  years  ago,  when  with  my 
father.  I  know  crows  took  eggs,  but  do  not  remember  that 
they  disturbed  the  young  chickens. 

.\LVIN  RUPP,  Allpntown: 
No. 

LAWRENCE  COUNTY. 

JAMES  M.  WATSON.  Fay: 

No. 

LUZERNE  COUNTY. 

D.   K.   LAUBACH,   Fairmount  Springs: 
Yes,  they  are  verv  troublesome  in  catching  small  poultry;  if 

9-TT 


130 

a  hen  or  turkey  make  their  nest  away  from   the  buildings  thp 
crow  will  surely  steal  their  eggs. 

LEWIS  H.   KOCHER,   Ruggles: 
No. 

DAVID  J.  LINSKILL.,  Plymouth: 

No,  but  they  fish  along  the  Susquehanna  river  and  shallow 
ponds. 

W.  P.  KIRKENDALL,  Dallas: 
No. 

LYCOMING  COUNTY. 

JACOB  HEIM,  Hepburn: 
Yes. 

P.   J.   VANDINE,   Lairdsville: 

Crows,  while  nesting,  will  sometimes  carry  away  small 
chickens  and  steal  eggs  occasionally,  but  mostly  get  a  good 
dose  of  shot  from  the  farmer. 

PETER  REEDER,   Hughesville: 

Crows  have  always  been  thieves;  they  pull  the  newly  planted 
corn,  destroy  the  ears  when  ripening  and  commit  serious  dep- 
redations to  poultry  by  stealing  eggs  and  catching  and  de- 
stroying young  fowl. 

AUGUST  KOCH,   Williamsport: 
Yes,  more  than  hawks  while  chicks  are  small. 

MERCER  COUNTY. 

ROBERT  McKEE,  Mercer: 

No. 

R.  K.  BAKER,  Sandy  Lake: 

They  steal  the  eggs,  but  do  not  bother  the  young  fowls  to 
any  great  extent. 

L.    R.    ECKLEiS,    Mercer: 

They  do  not;  they  are  destroyers  of  birds'  eggs  and  their 
young. 

DR.  J.  A.  MORELAND,  Jamestown: 
Very  little  damage  is  done  by  crows  except  to  the  corn  crops. 

MIFFLIN  COUNTY. 

HON.  GRUBER  H.  BELL,  Lewistown: 
No;  they  are  very  useful  birds  to  the  farmer. 

JOHN  A.  CAMPBELL,  Belleville: 
They  are  one  of  our  greatest  pests.     I   have  nothing  good  to 


131 

say  for  the  ciow;  he  is  an  all-round  thief,  will  destroy  poul- 
try, eggs,  grain,  birds'  nests,  young  rabbits,  pheasants  and 
wild  turliey  eggs. 

M.   li.   THOMPSON,   I^ewistown: 

The  farmers  say  they  will  steal  their  young  chicitens:  the 
crow  is  rather  shy  and  Iteeps  away  from  barns,  but  neverthe- 
less is  a  noted  thief. 

S.   A.   HERTZLER.    Belleville: 
A   slight   loss. 

MONTOUR  COUNTY. 

W.  D.   STEINEACH,   Limestoneville: 
Yes. 

MONROE  COUNTY. 

M.  LUTHER  MICHAEL,  Shawnee: 

They  do:  destroying-  also  much  young  corn,  beans,  peas,  etc., 
and  the  fuh'y  matured  ears  by  eating  them  wh3n  the  kernels 
are  in  the  milk. 

HON,  R.  F.   SCHWARZ,  Analomink: 

Never  knew  them  to  take  eggs,  but  have  seen  them  carry  off 
young  chicks. 

RANDALL   BIBBING,    Miiisi: 
No. 

•    MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 

V.  E.  THOMPSON,  Swedeland: 
No. 

WILLIAM  W.  POTTS,  Swedeland: 

No,  it  is  very  easy  to  protect  against  crows.  I  tie  up  a 
shingle,  whitewashed  on  one  side,  to  a  limb  or  pole;  by  tying 
it  on  one  end  and  a  little  out  of  centre,  it  will  be  constantly 
in  motion.     They  are  only  bad  when  they  have  young  in  nest. 

GEORGE  W.  RIGHTER,  Abrams: 
Bad  on  poultry  if  not  watched. 

E.  M.   TYSON,   King  of  Prussia: 
Yes. 

GEORGE  WALL,  Norristown: 

Crows  are  not  very  plentiful  in  this  neighborhood.  The  only 
damage  they  do  is  in  the  spring  and  summer  months  by  catch- 
ing young   fowls. 

NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

.1.   A.  GIFFEN,  Montandoii: 

Yes.  by  stealing  eggs;  havft  never  observed  them  catching  the 
young. 


132 

S.  H.   DEANS,   Superintendent  P?ohools,    Ml.  Carmel: 
No. 

L.  A.  BEARDSLEY.  Mllton: 
No. 

D.  G.  MOYER,  Greenbrier: 

Yes;  they  have  done  more  damage  than  any  other  kind  of 
bird. 

C.  D.  OBERDORP,  Sunbury: 
Not   serious. 

B.    B.    SMITH,    Shamokin: 
Yes. 

IRA   SHIPMAN,   Sunbury: 
Eg-gs,  small  chickens  and  young  turkeys. 

NORTHAMPTON  COUNTY. 

R.   O.   RITTER,   Hanoversville: 
Yes. 

E.  F.  HEIL,  Nazareth: 

Yes,  if  they  can  find  them  away  from  habitation. 

JOHN  J.  GABLE,   Harper: 
They  do. 

A.  S.  SHIMBR.  Redington. 
Yes. 

PERRY  COUNTY. 

R.  M.  ALEXANDER,  New  Bloomfield: 

Yes,  they  steal,  in  the  country,  all  kinds  of  young  fowls  and 
eggs. 

SILAS  WRIGHT,  Reward: 

The  damage  to  poultry  from  the  common  crow  is  about  six 
hundred  dollars,  and  yet  they  destroy  more  than  six  hundred 
dollars'  worth  of  destructive  worms,  bugs  and  insects. 

MILTON  B.  ESHLEMAN.   Newport: 
No. 

SAMUEL   E.    ROBERTS,    Newport: 
They  do. 

GEORGE  A.  WAGNER,    Alinda: 
They  do. 

H.    ]\r.    ERY,   Newport: 

None  worthy  of  mention  as  to  eggs,  but  they  kill  some  younir 
chicks. 


IH8 

GEORGE  L.   inJCHER.  Donnally's  Mills: 
Yes. 

PHILADELPHIA  COUNTY. 

WIL.LIAM    DORR    CARPENTER,    Philadelphia: 

Have   noticea   them   visiting-  pigeons'    nests  on   several   occa- 
sions. 

HON  MAHLON  L.  SAVAGE,  Frankford: 
To  a  very  limited  extent. 

POTTER  COUNTY. 

E.    O.    AUSTIN,    Austin: 
No,  they  are  too  shy  to  come  near  enough. 

PIKE  COUNTY. 

HON.    LAFAYETTE    ROWLAND,    Rowland: 
Very  little  damage  is  done. 

EDGAR   PINCHETT,    Milford: 
They  do  not;  the  damage  they  do  is  principally  to  corn. 

SNYDER  COUNTY. 

HENRY    NOYES,    Salem: 

They  do.     I  am  positive  they  eat  about  two  hundred  turkey 
eggs  for  us  annually,  and  catch  young  turkeys  and   chickens. 

H.  J.  HEISER,  Shadle: 
They  catch  a  few  young  chicks. 

JOHN  F.  BOYER,  Mount  Pleasant   Mills: 
Nil. 

SCHUYLKILL  COUNTY. 

A.   F.   KINNARD,   Orwigsburg: 

Yes,   sir;  serious  damage  to  poultry  in    our  locality;   destroy 
over  one-half  of  the  turkeys. 

W.  H.  STOUT,  Pine  Grove: 

They  may  occasionally  get  a  few  eggs  or  a  young  duck,  hut 
not   to   any   extent. 

SUSQUEHANNA  COUNTY. 

E.  A.   &  E.    L.  WESTON.   Brooklyn: 
Not    usually.  \ 

S.    S.    THOMAS.    I,yiin: 
No. 


DR.    A.    H.    TINGLEY,    Susquehanna: 
No. 

SOMERSET  COUNTY. 

PETER  MIL.LER,   Somerset: 
Not  much. 

JEREMIAH  S.   MILLER,  Husband; 

Considerably;  they  become  very  l)Old  if  thr-y  lind  that  they 
can  get  eggs  and  small  chickens. 

DR.  H.  D.   MOORE,  New  Lexington: 

No. 

TIOGA  COUNTY. 

M.    SORNBERGER,    Job's    Corner: 
To  quite  an   extent. 

UNION  COUNTY. 

J.   A.    GUNDY,    Lewisburg: 

They  carry  off  eggs  when  laid  away  from  bains  or  buildings, 
especially  turkey  eggs,  and  perhaps  a  few   veiy  young  chicks. 

VENANGO  COUNTY. 

JAMES   J.   WILLS.   Franklin: 

To  some  extent;  they  will  steal  eggs. 

JOHN  F.  BIGLER,  Franklin: 
No. 

WARREN  COUNTY. 

WILLIS  COWAN,   Warren: 

N«. 

WALTER   SCHULER,    Tv^arren: 
No. 

WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 

HON.  JOHN  C.  FRENCH,  Prosperity: 

If  fowls  nest  away  from  barns,  I  think  Mr.  Crow  will  lake 
all  he  can  steal;  but,  being  a  shy  bird,  he  does  not  come  about 
our  barns  and  chicken  houses  much. 

H.    P.   MYERS,    California: 
No,  we  do  not   have  enough   crows. 

J.    P.    HORN.    Sunset: 

No  serious  damage;  they  steal  a  few  eggs  occasionally. 


13G 

K.  B.  ENOCH,  Washington: 
Yes. 

B.   E.    Mccracken,    Washington; 
Yes. 

WAYNE  COUNTY. 

JAMES  L.ESHER.  Avoy: 

Yes;  one  crow  will  carry  off  a  Hock  of  little  chicks  in  one 
day,  as  well  as  steal  hen  and  turkey  egg's;  has  done  this  for 
tne. 

WESTMORELAND  COUNTY. 

A.    Rl'TH,    Seotldale: 
No    seriiius    damag(;    done    by    them. 

WYOMING  COUNTY. 

N.    P.    STERLING,    Meshoppen: 
They  do  some,   unless  ospeoially  guai'ded   against. 

YORK  COUNTY. 

HON.  GERARD  C.   HROWN,  Yorkana: 

Yes,  in  common  with  their  cousin,  the  grackle.  The  most 
damage  they  do  is  to  the  young  corn  as  it  comes  up.  1 
have  had  fields  so  raided  that  I  had  to  replace  the  whole 
cuncern.  Crows  are  hard  on  birds'  nests  (eggs  and  young), 
especially  on  the  meadow  lark  and  quail  when  their  nests  are 
uncovered  by  our  mowers  and  reapers. 

JAMES    G.    PATTERSON,    Stewartstown: 

The  crow  is  a  .sreat  thief;  they  will  steal  eggs  of  the  do- 
mestic fowl,  and  will  catch  young  chicks  and  turkeys  and 
carry  them  off  to  their  nesting  places,  not  only  when  they 
have  young,  but  when  hatchin.?. 

M.   S.  TYSON,   York: 

The  crow  is  a  thieving  robber,  and  will  pull  up  corn  about 
hatching  time,  and  dujing  the  fall  of  the  year  they  injure  a 
great   many  wheat   stacks. 

OTHER  STATES. 

H.    E.    VAN    DEM.\N.    Parksly.    Virginia: 
Not    verv    often. 


136 


CHAPTER   III. 


lURDS  OF  PRRV 


Representatives  of  the  order  of  Raptores  are  present  in  every 
part  of  the  world,  and  with  the  feathered  race  they  occupy  a 
position  quite  similar  to  the  carnivorous  animals  among  the 
mammalia.  All  live  on  an  animal  diet.  "Most  of  the  smaller, 
or  weaker,  species,  feed  much  upon  insects;  others  more  partic- 
ularly upon  reptiles,  and  fish;  others  upon  carrion;  but  the 
majority  prey  upon  other  birds  and  small  mammals,  captured 
in    open   warfare." — Coues. 

AMERICAN  VULTURES. 

In  the  Western  Hemisphere  there  are  eight  representatives 
of  the  family  Cathartidae,  and  of  these  but  two  occur  in  the 
Eastern  United  States.  North  Carolina,  according  to  Dr.  Coues, 
is  about  the  northern  limit  at  which  the  Black  Vulture,  or 
Cariion  Crow,  is  seen  to  occur  with  any  degree  of  regularity. 
The  Turkey  Vulture  or  Turkey  Buzzard,  as  this  species  is 
usually  denominated,  is  quite  common  as  far  northward  as 
the  southeastern  section  of  Pennsylvania,  where  it  is  resident, 
but  it,  of  course,  is  much  more  plentiful  in  the  summer  season 
than  during  the  winter. 

These  cowardly,  ignoble,  gluttonous  and  partly  gregarious 
birds  are  found  in  abundance  in  the  jvarmer  countries,  where, 
frequently,  thej-  are  protected  by  law  and  strong  public  senti- 
ment because  of  their  great  value  as  scavengers.  Vultures 
subsist  largely  on  carrion.  They  often  collect  in  considerable 
num.bers  around  the  body  of  a  defunct  horse,  cow,  steer  or 
other  large  sized  animal,  and  gorge  themselves  until  they  are 
scarcely  able  to  fly.  When,  however,  their  uncleanly  repast  is 
finished,  they  usually  perch  on  trees,  rocks,  fences,  etc.,  where 
they  remain  in  a  quiet  and  sleepy  attitude,  with  wings  droop- 
ing. Frequently  if  these  birds  are  wounded,  or  suddenly 
frightened  when  feeding,  and  sometimes  when  their  nests  or 
young  are  molested,  they  eject  the  foetid  contents  of  the  crop. 
Two  species  of  the  family  occur  in   Pennsylvania. 


TURKEY    VULTURE 


137 


TURKEY  VULTURE. 
i  Oathartes  aura. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Entire  plumage  brownish-black,  and  more  or  less  glossy; 
quills  paler  on  under  surface;  skin  of  head  and  neck  naked 
and  wrinkled,  with  scattering  bristle-like  feathers;  head  and 
neck  red.  bill  whitish,  legs  and  feet  pinkish,  iris  grayish- 
brown    nostrils  large  and  oval. 

Nestlings.— Bsive  skin  of  head  nearly  white,  body  covered  with 
white  down.  Length  about  thirty  inches;  extent  of  wings  about 
se'^enty-two  inches;  wing  about  twenty-five;  tail  twelve  inches. 

Habitat. — Temperate  North  America,  from  New  Jersey.  Ohio 
Valley,  Saskatchewan  region  and  Washington  Territory,  south- 
ward to  Patagonia,  casually  northward  on  the  .\tlantic  coast 
to    Maine. 

This  species  is  found  iu  some  sections  of  Pennsyl- 
vania at  all  seasons,  but  during  the  summer  months  is 
much  more  plentiful  than  at  other  times.  The  Turkey 
Buzzard  usually  rears  its  young  in  woods  or  thickets, 
mostly  near  streams  of  water.  It  makes  little  or  no 
effort  to  construct  a  nest;  the  eggs — never  more  than 
two  in  number  and  occasionally  only  one — are  de- 
posited generally  in  a  slight  concavity  in  the  ground 
protected  by  shelving  or  overhanging  rocks.  Some 
times,  however,  the  nests  of  this  bird  are  found  in 
stumps  and  hollow  logs.  The  eggs  are  yellowish  white, 
spotted  with  different  shades  of  brown  and  purple,  and 
measure  about  (wo  and  three-fourths  inches  in  length 
by  nearly  two  inches  in  breadth.  It  is  stated  that  this 
species  sometimes  breeds  in  Pennsylvania  as  early  as 
the  last  week  in  March.  I  have  found  nine  nests  in 
Chester  and  Delaware  counties  during  the  past  four 
teen  years;  of  this  number  seven  wei-e  taken  late  in 
April  or  early  in  May,  and  all  contained  fresh  eggs. 
The  two  rciiiaiiiing  nests,  foiiiid  in  .Iiinc.  eontaiued 
9*--II 


13H 

down.y  .v()ll^J,^  1  ;iin  iiifuriiicd  that  tlu'se  birds,  in 
I^Kuciistci-  and  ^urk  cimiilies,  aloug  tlu'  !r>us(iueliHiina 
river,  arc  annually  to  be  I'ound  breeding  in  small  coin- 
uumitii's  of  a  dozen  or  twenty  individuals.  The  species 
also  breeds  regularly  in  Adams  and  Cumberland  coun- 
ties; in  Adams  couniy  it  is  reported  to  be  (luite  plenti- 
ful as  a  summer  resident. 

Desoured  (rrassli()])perts  and  Beetles. 

This  bird  w  ill  resort  for  several  consecutive  seasons 
to  a  favorite  nesting  place,  and  occasionally  wlx^n  its 
eggs  are  taken  will  lay  a  second  time  in  the  same  nest. 
The  Turkey  \'ulture  is  very  numerous  in  the  southern 
states,  Avhere  it  resides  all  the  year,  hut  in  the  eastern 
United  vSlales,  north  of  Pennsylvania,  it  is  said  to  be 
quite  rare.  Two  young  which  I  took  from  the  nest 
and  kept  in  capti\ity  until  full  gro\\  n  became  exceed- 
ingly tame.  These  birds  often  when  feeding,  and  in- 
variably if  approached  by  a  stranger,  would  utter  a 
loud  hiss,  the  only  sound  which  this  species,  as  well  as 
other  of  the  American  \'ultures,  is  known  to  make. 
They  fed  chiefly  on  fresh  meat,  and  also  devoured  with 
apparent  relish  earth-worms,  crickets,  grasshoppers 
and  other  large  insects;  oftentimes  they  also  ate  pieces 
of  bread,  cake  and  particles  of  apples  or  pears  which, 
were  tin-own  before  them.  The  Turkey  Buzzard,  in 
its  natural  state,  according  to  Audubon,  sucks  the 
eggs  and  devours  the  young  of  herons  and  other  birds. 
Turkey  Buzzards  do  not.  as  some  persons  affirm,  dis- 
turb domestic  fowls,  and  rarely  are  these  cowardly 
birds  seen  to  destroy  the  eggs  of  yjoultry.  T  have 
never  known  them  to  disturb  either  the  eggs  or  young 
of  birds,  but  have  observed  that  they  subsist  almost 
wholly  on  carrion.  The  benefits  which  these  scaven 
jjrers  render  are  to(»  well  known  to  need  anv  comment. 


139 

A  Useful  Bird  to  Mankind. 

Mr.  Fi'auk  M.  Chapman  in  his  valuable  little  work 
entitled  "Bird  Life,"  a  publication  which  every  school 
child  and  a  good  many  adults,  too,  could  read  with 
great  profit,  savs: 

The  Turkey  Buzzard  is  one  of  Nature's  scavengers,  and,  as 
such,  is  one  of  the  few  birds  whose  services  to  mankind  are 
thoroughly  appreciated.  There  are  others  of  equal  or  even 
greater  value  who  daily  earn  their  right  to  the  good  will 
which  we  stupidly  and  persistenly  refuse  to  grant  them;  but 
of  the  Turkey  Buzzard's  assistance  we  have  frequent  convinc- 
ing proof,  and  the  decree  has  gone  forth  that  injury  to  this 
bird  is  punishable  by  fine.  No  other  birds  are  so  well  pro- 
tected, and  as  a  result  Turkey.  Buzzards  and  Black  Vultures 
walk  about  the  streets  of  some  of  our  Southern  cities  with  the 
tameness  of  domestic  fowls.  If  we  should  similarly  encourage 
our  insectivorous  birds,  who  can  predict  the  benefits  which 
might  accrue?" 

The  following  list,  w  ith  names  of  observers,  will  give 
a  very  clear  idea  as  to  the  distribution  of  the  Turkey 
Buzzard  in  Pennsylvania: 

Its  Distribution  in  Pennsylvania. 

County.  Observen.  Remarks. 

Adams,    B.   H.   Warren,    Resident;       common 

in  summer. 

Bradford B.   H.   Warren Saw   one     at     North 

Orwell,    Sept.,    1S%. 

Berks Jonas  Stern Breeds;   rare. 

Berks,  D.  F.  Keller Breeds  in  Blue  Moun- 
tains. 

Bucks Mrs.   H.   M.   Rice Occasionally    in 

flocks;  August, 
September  and  Oc- 
tober. 

Bucks s.  Edward  Paschall,*   ..  Decidedly  rare. 

Chester B.  H.  Warren,  Resident;  very  com- 
mon   in    summer. 

f"Iinton Dr.  W.   Van   Fleet Straggler. 

Cameron,     B.   H.   Warren Straggler;    saw    one 

in  November,   1889. 

Cumberland,    B.    H.   Warren Breeds. 

Delaware Robert  Townsley Resident;  most  num- 

^  erous  in  summer. 

Dauphin W.   W.    Stoey Resident. 


♦"Decidedly  rare  and  absolutely  unknown  to  most  of  our 
people.  We  are  but  a  f^w  miles  from  Chester  county,  where  thp 
bird  is  very  <omnion.  but  Bucks  county  is  out  of  its  range.  1 
made  note  of  having  seen  three  (3)  buzzards  during  the  sea- 
son."—S.   E.   Paschall. 


140 

County.  Observer.  Remark*. 

Erie George  B.  Sennelt Never  seen  here. 

Franklin B.  H..  Warren Saw   several   in     De- 

cennber,  issn; 

breeds. 

Fayette.    ( }.    W.    Linton Breeds. 

Juniata B.   H.   Warren Saw     three     in     Jan- 
uary, 1890. 

Lehigh J.  F.  Kocher Breeds. 

Lehigh Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,    Seldom  seen. 

Lancaster Dr.   A.   C.   Treichler,    ...Resident. 

Lancaster James   Galen Resident. 

Lancaster H.  Justin  Roddy Resident.  g^ 

Lancaster w.    H.   Buller Breeds. 

Lebanon,    j.   q.   Bohn Breeds. 

Lebanon,    George    R.    Ross Resident. 

Lycoming August   Koch Straggler;     got     two 

in    spring. 
Lawrence b.  H.  Warren Saw    one      in     Octo- 
ber,   1888. 

McKean James  A.  Teulon Never    seen   here. 

Montgomery W-  P.  Bolton     Breeds. 

Montgomery,    ....Thomas    S.    Gillin Migrant. 

^le^'cer,    s.   S.    Overmoyer,    Straggler ;    shot     one 

_^  September    1,    1884. 

Northampton,    ...Dr.   John  W.  Detwiller,   Seldom  seen. 
Northampton,    ...Edmund    Ricksecker,    ..  Straggler;  spring 

and   summer;    does 
not   breed, 
wortnumberland.  Dr.   W.   Van   Fleet,    ..     ,  Straggler. 

Perry h.    Justin    Roddy Seen    in     May,     1886; 

breeds.  (?) 

Philadelphia H.    Jamison Occasional    visitor. 

P'^^'    B.  H.  Warren Saw  one  at  Rowland, 

May  9.  1897. 

Philadelphia Joseph    Price    Ball Resident. 

Philadelphia Witmer    Stone,    Seen    mostly    during 

migrations. 

Philadelphia Seorge  Spencer  Morris,  Straggler. 

Schuylkill M.    M.    MacMillian,    Straggler,  fall  1883. 

Somerset Dr.   H.   D.   Moore,    Breeds. 

Sullivan Otto    Behr Straggler;     seen      in 

1884. 

Union,     . .- Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet .Straggler. 

Warren H.  L.  Greenland ..Not  found   here 

Westmoreland,   ..  Charles  H.  Townsend,   ..Very       rare;        have 

seen  several  in  ad- 
..,,■,  T  ..  joining    county. 

Washington,    Tames  S.  Nease,   Resident 

Washington M.    Compton Occasional;    flock    of 

ten    seen      Septem- 
...     ,  »r     r^    „  ber,  1883. 

Washington M.   T.   Warrick Occasional;    tlock    of 

ten   seen      Septem- 
,.     .  r,  ber.  1883. 

York Hon.   Gerard  C.   Brown.   Breeds 

Y'ork George  Miller Breeds. 

lork Ca.'5per    Loucks Rreeds 


141 

ITS  NORTHERN  BREEDING  LIMIT. 

The  Turkey  Buzzard  breeds  in  many  sections  of 
('liester  and  Delaware  counties.  Allred  P.  Lee  liaa 
observed  il  as  a  common  resident  in  the  vicinity  of 
Oxford;  Harry  Wilson,  a  prominent  local  naturalist, 
has  found  them  breedinj^-  at  different  points  abotit  Doe 
Kuu,  and  also  near  Parkesburg.  Within  a  radius  of 
about  six  miles  from  West  Chester,  I  have  found  them 
breeding" — never  more  than  one  pair  in  a  [>lace — in 
seven  differcMit  locali'ties  in  the  counties  of  Chester  and 
Delaware.  The  records  given  in  the  ])receding 
columns  concerning  the  breeding  of  this  s])ecies  show 
that  it  has  been  found  nesting  in  at  least  thirteen  or 
fourteen  counties  of  Pennsylvania,  and  that  its 
northern  breeding  range  is  restricted  to  about  the 
lower  third  of  this  State. 


14*2 


BLACK  VULTURE. 
Catharistii  atrata. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Adult.  -l':nt:rf  plumage  dull  hlaok,  llic  quills  grayish 
hasuUy  (.hoai-y  whitish  un  under  surl"acf>,  ihelr  shafts  pviii' 
white;  bill  dusky  with  yellowish  or  whitish  tip;  naked  skin  of 
head  and  foreneck  dusky.  Jjeng-th  Zi-^l;  extent  about  54 
inches." — Ridg-way.    Manual   N.    A.    Rird.«;. 

Habitat. ■~^c,\x\.\\  Atlantic  and  Gulf  states,  north  to  Nortli 
Carolina  and  the  Lower  Ohio  Valley,  west  to  the  great  i^lains. 
and  Soutli  through  Mexico  and  Central  America  and  most  of 
South  America.     Straggling-  north  to  New  York  and  Maine. 

A  specimen  of  the  Black  Vulture  or  Carrion  Crow, 
as  fhis  bird  is  sometimes  called,  was  taken  in  Dauphin 
county  in  ]892.  Stragglers  have  been  observed  in 
Northampton  county  by  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller  and 
the  late  Edmund  Ricksecker.  In  relation  to  the 
marked  difference  in  the  manners  of  the  present  species 
and  the  Turkey  Buzzard  ^Nlr.  1^)1»(mi  Kidgwny*  jMib 
lishes  the  following: 

"Both  in  their  mode  of  flig-ht  and  in  theiT  movements  uptui 
the  ground  this  species  differs  materially  from  the  Turkey 
Buzzard.  The  latter  walks  steadily  while  on  the  ground,  and 
when  it  mounts  does  so  by  a  single  upward  spring.  The 
Black  Vulture  is  ill  at  ease  on  th%  ground,  moves  awkwardly, 
and  when  it  essays  to  fly  upward  takes  several  leaps  in  a 
shuffling  side-long  manner  before  it  can  rise. 

"Their  flight  is  more  labored,  and  is  continued  by  flapping 
s<-vera!  times,  alternated  with  sailing  a  limited  distame. 
Their  wings  are  held  at  right  angles,  and  their  feet  protrude 
beyond  their  tail-feathers.  In  all  these  respects  the  differences 
between  the  two  birds  are  very  noticeable,  and  plainly  mark 
the   species." — (Brewer.) 

The  following  interesting  account  of  this  species  is 
f lom  the  pen  of  Thomas  Nuttall :t 

FEEDS  ON  CARRION  NOT  POULTRY. 
"This  smaller  black  and  truly  gregarious  species  of  vulture. 


*The  Ornithology  of  Illinois,  Part  T,  Robert  Ridgwav  SDrine- 
fleld.   Illinois.    1889.  "  ' 

t  A  ^ran^)al  of  the  Ornithology  of  the  United  States  and  Can- 
ada,  by   Thomas   Nuttall;   The  Land    Birds;   Cambridge,   lS;{i;. 


143 

in  the  United  Slates,  appears  to  be  generally  confined  to  the 
narrowest  limits  of  the  Southern  States,  being  scarcely  touna 
beyond  Wilmington  in  North  Carolina,  and  seems  to  be  most 
numerous  and  lamiliar  in  the  large  maritime  towns  of  South 
Carolina,  Georgia  and  Florida;  thus,  though  abundant  in 
Savannah,  there  are  much  fewer  of  this  species  at  Augusta 
than  of  the  Turl<ey  Vulture.  In  the  tropical  regions  of  Amer- 
ica they  are  also  very  common,  and  extend,  at  least,  as  far 
as  Chili.  Like  the  former  species,  with  which  they  associate 
only  at  meal-times,  they  are  allowed  a  public  protection  for 
the  service  they  render  in  ridding  the  earth  of  carrion  and 
other  kinds  of  filth.  They  are  much  more  familiar  in  the 
towns  than  the  preceding;  delighting,  during  winter,  to  remain 
on  the  roofs  of  houses,  catching  the  feeble  rays  of  the  sun. 
and  stretching  out  their  wings  to  admit  the  warm  air  over 
their  foetid  bodies.  When  the  weather  becomes  unusually 
chilly,  or  in  the  mornings,  they  may  be  seen  basking  upon  the 
chimneys  in  the  warm  smoke,  which,  as  well  as  the  soot  itself. 
can  add  no  additional  darkness  or  impurity  to  such  filthy  and 
melancholy  spectres.  Here,  or  on  the  limbs  of  some  of  the 
largei  trees,  tliey  remain  in  listless  indolence  until  aroused 
by  the  calls  of  hunger. 

WELL  TREATED  IN   THE   SOUTH. 

"Their  flight  is  neither  so  easy  nor  so  graceful  as  that  of 
the  Turkey  Buzzard.  They  flap  their  wings  and  then  soar 
horizontally,  renewing  the  motion  of  their  pinions  at  short  in- 
tervals. At  times,  however,  they  rise  to  considerable  eleva- 
tions. In  the  cities  of  Charleston  and  Savannah  the-y  are  to 
be  seen  in  numbers  walking  the  streets  with  all  the  familiarity 
of  domestic  fowls,  examining  the  channels  and  accumulations 
of  filth  in  order  to  glean  up  the  offal,  or  animal  matter  of  any 
kind,  which  may  happen  to  be  thrown  out.  They  appeared 
to  be  very  regular  in  their  attendance  around  the  shambles, 
and  some  of  them  become  known  by  sight.  This  was  particu- 
larly the  case  with  an  old  veteran  who  hopped  upon  one  foot 
(having  by  some  accident  lost  the  other),  and  had  regularly 
appeared  round  the  shambles  to  claim  the  bounty  of  the 
butchers  for  about  twenty  years.  In  the  country,  ^'here  1  have 
surprised  them  feeding  in  the  woods,  they  apppeared  rather 
shy  and  timorous,  watching  my  movements  alertly  like  hawks, 
and  every  now  and  then  one  or  two  of  them,  as  they  sat  in  the 
high  boughs  of  a  neighboring  oak,  communicated  to  the  rest,  as 
I  slowly  approached,  a  low  bark  of  alarm  or  waugh,  something 
like  the  suppressed  growl  of  a  puppy,  at  which  the  whole 
flock  by  degrees  deserted  the  dead  hog  upon  which  they  hap- 
pened to  be  feeding.  Sometimes  they  will  collect  together 
about  one  carcass  to  the  number  of  250  and  upwards,  and  the 
object,  whatever  it  may  be.  is  soon  robed  in  living  mourning, 
scarcely  anything  being  visible  but  a  dense  mass  of  these 
sable  scavengers,  who  may  often  be  seen  jealously  contending 
with  each  other,  both  in  and  out  of  the  carcass,  defiled  wifli 
blood  and  filth,  holding  on  with  their  feet,  hissing  and  clawing 
each  other,  or  tearing  off  morsels  so  as  to  fill  their  throats 
nearly  to  choking,  and  occasionally  joined  by  growling  dogs- 
the  whole  presenting  one  of  the  most  savage  and  disgusting 
scenes  in  nature,  and  truly  worthy  the  infernal  bird  of  Pro- 
metheus." 


144 


HAWKS,  FALCONS  AND  EAULES. 
Family  Falconidae. 

It  is  stated  by  reliable  writers  that  there  are  at  least  three 
hundred  and  fifty  species  of  this  family  of  diurnal  raptorial 
birds  found  throughout  the  world.  Of  this  large  number  only 
fourteen  occur  regularly  in  this  State,  and  of  all  the  numerous 
species  of  bird-lile  occurring  in  this  Commonwealth,  few  are 
better  known  to  our  people  in  general  than  are  the  Eagles 
and  Hawks,  some  of  which  are  common,  at  all  times,  or  during 
some  period  of  the  year,  in  nearly  every  section  of  the  State. 
With  a  few  exceptions,  these  raptores,  as  well  as  most  of  the 
owls,  particularly  the  smaller  kinds,  are  highly  beneticial  to 
the  farmers  and  fruit  growers,  because  of  the  immense  quan- 
tities of  destructive  mice  and  other  injurious  animals,  also 
large  numbers  of  noxious  insects,  etc.,  which  they  devour. 
The  majority  of  these  birds  build  large  nests  of  sticks,  twigs, 
etc.,  on  trees;  some,  however,  nest  on  rocky  ledges.  The  ]Marsh 
Hawk  breeds  on  the  ground,  and  the  little  Sparrow  Hawk, 
like  the  Screech  Owl  and  Woodpecker,  breeds  in  hollow  tre^. 
The  eggs,  usually  two  to  five,  sometimes  more,  are  generally 
spotted  and  blotched,  and  never  spherical  and  white,  like  the 
eggs  of  the  owls.  The  adult  males  are  usually  smaller  than 
the  females,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  Marsh  and  Sparrow 
Hawks,  are  quite  similar  in  color.  The  young  or  immature 
birds,  of  most  species,  differ  greatly  from  the  old.  These  birds 
catch  their  prey  with  their  talons.  Their  cries  are  loud  and 
harsh.  Occasionally  they  are  seen  in  flocks — sometimes  con- 
taining several  species — but  usually  they  are  observed  singly 
OT  in  pairs.  The  bill  is  short,  stout  and  strongly  hooked,  the 
head  is  completely  feathered  and  without  ear-tufts  or  "horns" 
like  some  of  the  owls;  the  tarsus,  except  in  the  Golden  Eagle 
and  Rough-legged  Hawk,  is  naked.  The  feet  have  long, 
strong,  large,  sharp  and  curved  claws;  the  outer  toe,  except 
in  the  Fish  Hawk,  is  not  reversible.  The  eyes  are  directed 
laterally. 

A  VALUABLE  GROUP  OF  HAWKS. 

Birds'of  the  genus  Buteo,   especially  borealis   and  lineatus, 

are  the  large  hawks  which  we  see,  particularly  in  the  late  fall, 
winter  and  early  spring,  frequenting  grassy  fields,  meadows, 
swamps,  etc.  These  birds  are  the  common  "hen  hawks"  or 
"chicken  hawks"  as  they  are  usually  called;  but  such  names 
are  highly  inappropriate,  as  a  very  small  percentage  of  their 
food  is  poultry.  Three  species,  (especially  borealis  and  lin 
eatua),  are  common  residents  in  Pennsylvania.  In  order  to 
give  a  clear  idea  of  the  great  benefits  these  "hen  hawks"  ren- 
der the  agriculturist  and  fruit  grower,  the  following  extracts, 
relating  to  the  stomach  contents  of  847,  captured  during  ali 
seasons  of  the  year  in  various  parts  of  the  ITnlted  States,  are 


145 

copied    from    Dr.     A.     K.     Fishers    Report:*    Red-tailed    Hawk 
(Buteo  boreali*): 

"Of  562  stomachs  examined,  54  contained  poultry  or  game 
birds;  51,  other  birds;  278,  mice;  131,  other  mammals;  37, 
batracians  or  reptiles;  47,  insects;  8,  crawfish;  1,  centipedes; 
13,  offal;  and  89  were  empty."  Hed-shouldered  Hawk  (Buteo 
lineatut):  "Of  i'20  stomachs  examined,  3  contained  poultry;  12, 
other  birds;  102,  mice;  40,  other  mammals;  20,  reptiles;  39, 
batrachians;  92,  insects;  16,  spiders;  7,  crawfish;  1,  earthworms; 
2,  offal;  3,  fish;  and  14  were  empty."  Broad-winged  Hawk 
{Buteo  latissimus):  "Of  65  stomachs  examined,  2  contained 
small  birds;  15,  mice;  13,  other  mammals;  11,  reptiles;  13, 
batrachians;  30,  insects;  2,  earthworms;  4,  crawfish;  and  7 
were  empty."  The  mammals  mentioned  here  refer  mostly  to 
mice,  shrews,  moles,  some  few  squirrels  and  a  few  other  kinds 
of  quadrupeds.  These  hawks  in  form  are  stout  and  heavy;  the 
wings  long,  wide  and  somewhat  pointed;  third,  fourth  and  fifth 
quills  longest,  the  first  shorter  than  eighth,  the  three  outer 
primaries  in  latissimus  emarginate  on  inner  webs,  and  borealis 
and  lineatus,  tlie  four  outer  quills  emarginate  on  inner  web. 
The  moderately  long  tail,  conspicuously  barred  or  highly  colored 
is  quite  broad  and  slightly  rounded;  the  bluish  black  bill  is  short, 
wide  at  base  and  maxilla  is  lobed  on  edges.  Legs  and  feet 
stout;  tarsus  feathered  in  front  about  one-third  of  length; 
thighs  have  long  feathers  that  in  some  individuals  reach 
nearly  to  the  feet.  Tarsi  yellowish,  cere  yellowish  or  greenish; 
the  eyes  vary  greatly,  but  are  usually  brown  or  yellow. 
Sexes  similar  in  color;  female  larger  than  male;  immature 
birds  differ  greatly  from  the  adults;  the  flight  of  these  hawks 
is  quite  vigorous,  and  that  of  borealis,  in  particular,  is  often 
long  continued,  but  they  do  not  fly  with  the  great  rapidity 
of  the  species  of  the  genus  Aecipiter. 

DETRIMENTAL  SPECIES. 

Birds  of  the  genus  Aecipiter  are  rather  long  and  slender  in 
form,  and  they  have  small  heads,  short  wings,  long  tails  and 
legs.  The  bluish  black  bill  is  short  and  stout,  maxilla  being 
strongly  hooked  and  sharp-pointed;  the  broad  ovate  nostrils 
are  inserted  in  the  greenish  or  yellowish  cere. 

The  tarsi  are  feathered  in  front  a  little  less  than  half  in 
length.  Tarsus,  especially  in  veloz,  is  slender;  and  in  atricap- 
illus  rather  stout;  the  toes  are  long  and  slender,  the  outer  and 
middle  united  at  base  by  a  well-developed  web.  The  black 
claws  are  very  long,  much  curved  and  sharp;  eyes  in  old  birds 
are  reddish-amber  and  in  younger  birds  yellowish. 

The  tarsus  is  yellowish.  Birds  of  this  genus  are  exceed- 
ingly active  and  vigilant;  they  fly  with  great  rapidity  and  fre- 
quently pursue  and  catch,  when  on  the  wing  different  species 
of  wild  birds,  some  of  which  are  nearly  as  lairge  as  themselves. 
The  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  I  have  seen  capture  quail  when 
flying,  and  the  fierce  Goshawk  has  often  been  observed  to 
pursue  and  overtake  turkeys,  grouse,  blackbirds,  wild  pigeons, 
etc.  These,  and  not,  as  some  suppose,  birds  of  the  genus 
Buteo,   are  the  hawks  that  usually  commit  depredations  in  the 


•The  Hawks  and  Owls  of  the  United  States:  Bulletin    Xo    3 
IT.   S.   Department   of   Agriculture,   I'SS'S. 

10-n 


14G 

pouJiry  yard  and  destroy  numerous  wild  birds,  particularly 
grouse  and  quail.  The  ordinary  plumage  ot  these  hawks  is 
dark  brown  above,  (very  old  birds,  which  are  seldom  taken, 
have  upper  parts  bluish),  darkest  on  head,  and  lower  parts 
whitish,  variously  streaked  and  barred  with  dark  brown,  rusty 
and  pale  red.  In  old  Coopers  and  Sharp-shinned  Hawks  the 
breast,  thighs  and  rest  of  under  parts,  except  crissum  and 
throat,  whicharechiefly  white,  are  white  transversely  barred  with 
ligrht  red.  Full  plumaged  Goshawks  have  lop  of  head  black 
with  light  grayish  blue  and  whitish  under  parts  with  numer- 
ous and  irregular  mottlings,  streaks  and  lines  of  black,  white 
and   dusky. 

The  destructive  nature  of  representatives  of  the  genus  Ac- 
cipiter,  which  have  been  largely  instrumental  in  bringing  so 
much  odium  on  the  good  name  of  all  birds  of  the  hawk  kind 
in  Pennsj-lvania  is  well  illustrated  by  again  turning  to  Dr. 
Fisher's  admirable  report  where  records  of  320  postmortem  ex- 
aminations are  made  as  follows:  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  (Accip- 
iter  velox):  "Of  159  stomachs  examined,  6  contained  poultry 
or  game  birds;  99,  other  birds;  6,  mice;  5,  insects;  and  52  were 
empty."  From  this  summaiy  it  will  be  observed  that  of  107 
stomachs  which  had  in  them,  when  the  hawks  w'ere  killed, 
food  materials,  not  less  than  10.")  contained  birds  (chiefly  spar- 
rows of  different  species,  warblers,  thrushes,  vireos,  orioles, 
etc.)  and  poultry  or  game  birds.  This  kind  of  evidence  gives 
conclusive  proof  that  the  daring  and  sanguinary  little  Sha;rp- 
shinned  Falcon  does  not  merit  the  good  wall  or  protection  of 
farmers,  poulterers,  sportsmen  or  naturalists. 

THE  COOPER'S  HAWK. 

Cooper's  Hawk  (^Accipiter  cooperi):  "Of  133  stomachs  ex- 
amined, 34  contained  poultry  or  game  birds;  52,  other  birds; 
11,  mammals;  1,  frog;  3,  lizards;  2,  insects;  and  39  were  empty." 
By  these  dissections  last  noted  we  see  that  of  94  stomachs 
containing  foodstuffs.  S6  or  all  but  8  had  in  them  poultry 
and  birds,  game  or  other  kinds.  The  reference  to  "poultry," 
in  the  summary  last  given,  refers  to  chickens,  both  adult  and 
young,  pigeons,  and  probably  to  other  kinds  of  domestic 
fowls  not  particularized  by  name.  Under  the  head  of  "gam^- 
birds"  Dr.  Fisher's  tables  show  that  in  the  Eastern  and 
Southern  states  the  Cooper's  Hawk  destroys  manv  Quail 
(Bob-White)  and  Ruffed  Grouse,  while  in  Arizona  Gambel's 
Quail  is  frequently  captured  by  this  audacious  hawk.  An  ex- 
amination of  the  columns  headed  "other  birds"  in  Dr.  Fisher's 
tables,  gives  the  following  species,  which  were  identified: 

Chewlnk,  Purple    Grackle, 

Tree    Sparrow.  Snow-bird  (Junco), 

Song  Sparrow,  Savanna  Sparrow. 

Meadow    Lark,  '                       English   Sparrow, 

Flicker,  Nuthatch, 

Goldfinch,  Hermit   Thrush. 

Field  Sparrow,  Dove, 

Robin,  Orange-crowned    Warbler. 

The    mammals  which    were    found      and      identified    In    the 


147 

eleven   stomachs  previously  noted,   are   mentioned   by   name   in 
the  order  as  appended:* 

Mous»\,  i;ccky    Mountain    ("liipmunk. 

Chipmunlc,  Rabbit, 

Red   Squirrel,  Cotton  Rat, 

Gray   Squirrel,  Cal.  Ground  Squirrel. 

BUT  FEW  INSECTS. 
The  amount  of  insect-food  consumed  by  this  species,  if  these 
13:i  examinations  made  of  hawks  captured  durin?  all  seasons 
of  the  year  in"  different  sections  of  the  United  States,  are  to 
be  taken  as  a  safe  criterion,  must  be  very  insignificant. 
Scrutinizing  the  tables,  we  see  that  on  September  18,  188b.  a 
Cooper's  Hawk,  at  River  Dale,  New  Jersey,  departed  this  life 
and  left  in  his  stomach  a  single  badly  crushed  grasshopper. 
The  natural  presumption  is  that  this  particular  Cooper's 
Hawk  became  bewildered  while  in  the  land  of  "skeeters  and 
sand."  otherwise  he  never  would  have  condescended  to  takt- 
such  humble  quarry.  Another  example,  taken  May  20,  1877,  in 
the  township  of  East  Goshen,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  an 
Did  male  Cooper's  Hawk,  was  killed  near  the  edge  of  a  woods 
by  a  swamp,  where  he  often  watched  for  Red-winged  Black- 
birds and  Quail;  his  stomach,  the  records  show,  contained 
mice  (perhaps  arvicola)  and  beetles. 

THE  GOSHAWK. 

Goshawk  (Accipiter  atricapillus) :  "Of  28  stomachs  exam- 
ined, 9  contained  poultry  or  game  birds;  2,  other  birds;  10. 
mammals;  .",  insects; 'l,  centipede;  and  8  were  empty."  Ot 
these  20  stomachs  which  contained  food  materials,  11  had  re- 
mains of  poultry  (5  poultry  only)  Ruffed  Grouse  and  quail  or 
other  birds;  7  contained  only  mammals  as  follows,  2,  rabbit; 
1,  mouse  and  weasel;  1,  Gray  Squirrel;  1,  squirrel,  species  not 
given;  2,  red  squirrels.  One  stomach  showed  remains  of  a 
Kuffed  Grouse  and  two  red  squirrels;  another  a  domestic  fowl 
(not  named),  and  with  the  remains  of  this  fowl  were  30  sphinx 
larvae  and  3  centipedes;  a  Ruffed  Grouse  and  a  Gray  Squirrel 
had  satisfied  the  necessities  of  a  third  Goshawk:  anoiher  of 
Ihese  fierce  hawks  had  eaten  a  rabbit  and  a  few  locusts,  and  In 
the  stomach  of  a  Goshawk  taken  April  12.  1886,  at  Elmira.  N'w 
York,  some  mice  and   beetles  were  disclosed  by   diss.?ction. 


148 


SWALLUVV-TAILKI)   KITE. 
Elanoides  forficatus. 

]  DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  ralher  small  and  moderately  stout  and  narrow;  feet 
small  but  stout;  claws  short  but  strongly  curved;  wings  very 
long-  and  pointed;  tail  long  and  deeply  forked,  the  outside 
feathers  being  more  than  twice  as  long  as  the  middle  pair. 
On  the  wing  this  hawk  looks  and  moves  like  a  huge  swallow. 
Head,  neck,  band  across  rump,  basal  portion  of  secondaries 
and  entire  lower  parts  pure  white;  interscapulars  and  lesser 
wing-coverts  purplish  black;  rest  of  back,  wings  and  tail  slaty 
black.  Bill  blue  black;  legs  and  feet  dull  bluish-yellow;  iris 
brown;  length  variable;  a  female  before  me  measures  24  inches 
long;  wing  17;  lateral  tail  feathers  1214  inches. 

Habitat.— iicxithein  United  Staos,  esp.eci.illy  ia  the  intevior, 
from  Pennsylvania  and  Minnesota  southward,  through  Cen- 
tral and  South  America;  westward  to  the  great  plains.  Casual 
eastward  to  southern  New  England. 

The  Swallow-tailed  Kite  or  "Wasp-hawk/'  as  it  is 
generally  called  in  Florida,  where  it  is  common,  is  a 
very  rare  and  irregular  visitor  in  Pennsylvania.  A 
specimen  in  the  museum  of  the  Linnaean  Society,  at 
Lancaster  city,  was  captured  many  years  ago  in  Lan- 
«  caster  county.  Prof.  H.  J.  Roddy  obtained  one  May 
27,  1885,  in  Perry  county;  and  a  straggler  was  also  a 
few  years  since  found  in  Allegheny  county  by  Mr. 
R.  C.  Wrenshall,  of  Pittsburgh.  In  the  stomachs  of 
five  of  these  Kites  which  I  killed  in  Florida  in  ^larcli 
and  April.  18S.j,  there  were  found  grasshoppers,  bee- 
tles, toad.s  and  lizards.  According  to  different  writers 
they  feed  i>rincipally  on  grasshoppers,  beetles,  cater- 
pillars, small  snakes,  lizards  and  frogs. 

DOES  NOT  MOT^EST  POULTRY. 

I  hav(>  made  many  inquiiies  in  the  south  where 
these  Kites  were  plentiful  and  was  invariably  told  by 
jMM'sons  who  had  been  familiar  with  the  birds  all  tlieir 


SWALLOW    TAILED    KITE 


lives  lluti  Ilit'^N  iicvL'i-  were  knnuu  (o  distiirl*  jxMiltrv 
or  game  of  jmy  kind,  'rcsiinioiiy  licmi  all  sides  eon 
linns  (his  ass'*r(ion.  In  post-nioi-tcni  exauiinatiuns  ol" 
six  stomachs  of  these  Kites,  recorded  by  Dr.  A.  K. 
Fisher."  the  t(tli()\\in<;  insects,  lizards,  etc.,  were 
found : 


Locality. 

Hawkinsville,   Fla., 
Hawkinsville,   Fla., 


Dixon  county,  Neb.  June,  1865,  ... 
Dixon  county.  Neb..  .June,  1865,  ... 
Sarpy  county.  Neb..!  Sept.,  1873,  ... 
Woodville,    Minn.,.,  i  April   28.   1888, 


Date. 


March  31,  1885. 
March  31,  1885. 


Lizard,  gi-asslioppers,  tree 
toad,   beetles. 


Lizard, 
beetles. 
60  locusts 
69  locusts, 
75   insects. 
Beetle,  wasp 


grasshoppers, 

5  other  insects 
3  other  insects. 


VIEWS  OF  VARIOUS  WRITERS. 

Audubon  speaks  of  often  seeing  these  hawks  with 
long  slender  snakes  hanging  from  their  talons,  and  he 
gives  the  following  account  (quoted  from  Dr.  A.  K. 
Fisher's  Bulletin  No.  H)  of  two  stomachs  collected  in 
Texas: 

"In  the  stomach  (of  one  bird)  are  six  snakes,  of  a  very  slen- 
der form  and  light-green  color,  one  of  them  22V2  inches  in 
length,  together  with  one  large  larva,  3  inches  long,  and  two 
coleopterous  (beetles)  insects.  Some  of  the  snakes  have  been 
swallowed  whole,  although  bruised,  the  rest  brolcen  into  large 
pieces   several    inches   long.  *  *  *  *        In  another 

male  shot  in  the  same  country,  on  the  same  day,  tlie  stomach 
contained  a  slender  snake  19  inches  long,  six  lizai-ds.  and  four 
beautiful.  \ery  large  coleopterous  insects,  with  two  eggs  of 
reptiles  m  inches  long."- — (Ornith,  Biographv,  \-ol.  \-.,  pp. 
372-,^74.) 

This  s]»eci('s  laiely  alights  on  the  ground;  ]\[r.  H. 
W.  Heushaw  states  that  he  found  these  Kites  common 
on  the  Ariaini  i-ivei',  Florida,  and  frequently  saw  them 


'The  Hawks  and  Owls  of  the  United  States  in  Rel.ition  to 
Agricultuie;  Bulletin  No.  3,  Division  of  Ornithology  and  Mam- 
molcgy.    United    States  Department  of  .\griculture,  1893. 


150 

in  mid  air  feedin;;  upon  snakes,  which  appeared  to  be 
their  favorite  food  in  that  locality.  The  writings  of 
Dr.  Fisher  show  very  positively,  that  this  Kite  never 
disturbs  poultry,  birds  or  even  small  mammals,  which 
last  named  animals  are  so  often  preyed  upon  by 
the  smaller  and  weaker  hawks.     Dr.  Fisher  says: 

"The  principal  food  of  this  Kite  is  small  snakes,  lizards, 
frogs  and  various  kinds  of  insects.  It  never  molests  t.mall 
mammals  or  blrd.s.  Among  insects  it  is  especially  fond  of 
wasp  Icrvae,  grasshoppers  and  dragon  flies,  and  its  ^jovver  to 
change  the  direction  of  flight  is  most  inarkedly  shown  in 
capturing  the  latter  insects,  for  its  efforts  to  secure  them 
is  often  necessary  for  it  to  turn  almost  completely  over  in  its 
evolutions." 

In  Florida  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam  often  saw  these 
Kites  dart  down  and  pick  a  wasp's  nest  from  the  un- 
der side  of  a  leaf  of  some  high  palmetto  and  fly  oit" 
with  it,  devouring  while  on  the  wing,  the  grubs  it  con- 
tained.—(Am.  Nat.,  vol.  VIIT,  1874,  p.  88.) 

Mr.  H.  Nehrling  speaks  of  these  birds'  food  in  Texas 
as  follows: 

■'In  August  and  September  the  birds  are  often  seen  in  cot- 
ton fields,  where  they  feed  on  cotton  worms  and  other  in- 
sects. They  are  particularly  fond  of  small  snakes,  such  as 
r^eptophis,  Rhinostoma  coccinea,  lizards  (Anolius  carolinensis 
and  Amei\a  sex-lineata.)  I  have  never  seen  them  take  a 
bird  or  small  quadruped."— Bull.  Nutt.  Ornith.  Club,  Vol.  VII, 
1882,   p.   17o.) 

THE  NEST  AND  EGGS. 

"It  probably  breeds  in  suitable  localities  throughout  its 
range,  even  to  the  northern  limit.  Its  nest  has  been  takfii 
in  Minnesota,  and  according  to  a  very  interesting  note  by 
Mr.  Austin  F.  Park,  it  is  very  probaJble  that  a  pair  bred  in 
Rennsselaer  county.  New  York,  in  1886.  (^The  Auk.  Vol.  Ill, 
p.  484.)  In  the  southern  part  of  the  United  States  this  species 
begins  to  breed  about  the  last  of  April  or  first  of  May,  while 
farther  north  it  is  past  the  middle  of  the  latter  month  before 
a  full  complement  of  eggs  is  deposited.  The  nest  is  situated 
In  the  tops  of  the  tallest  trees  and  is  placed  among  the  smaller 
branches,  where  it  is  well  hidden  by  the  thick  foliago.  Oc- 
casionally it  is  built  toward  the  end  of  a  large  limb,  20  feet 
or  more  from  the  main  trunk,  the  supporting  branch  usually 
being  not  moie  than  a  few  inches  in  ditimeter.  The  nest 
ofte7itimes  is  a  r\ide  structure.  Jiiade  of  sticks  only,  and  re- 
sembles   closely    in    appearance    that    of    some    of    tiie    herons 


151 

while  others  are  more  substantial,  from  the  lining  of  Spanish 
mops  or  soft  Inner  bark  of  the  cottonwood  which  they  con- 
tain; rarely  a  nest  is  composed  almost  entirely  of  Spanish 
moiis. 

"The  number  of  eggs  in  a  set  is  usually  two,  though  three 
and  four,  and  probably  even  more  are  sometimes  depositf^d. 
Audubon  found  a  nest  near  the  Falls  of  the  Ohio  in  1820. 
which  contained  four  young.  The  male  is  very  attentive  and 
assists  the  female  in  building  the  nest  and  incubating  the 
eggs,  as  well  as  in  collecting  a  large  proportion  of  the  food  for 
the  young.  After  the  breeding  season  this  Kite  is  more  or 
less  gregarious;  families  of  four  or  five  are  usually  found 
together,  and  occasionally  flocks  of  fifty  or  more.  This  species 
is  quite  wary  and  difficult  to  approach,  l.ut  if  me  of  the 
flock  is  killed  or  wounded,  the  others  will  fly  around  it.  and  a 
number  may  be  secured  before  they  take  alarm  and  move  off. 

ITS  FLIGHT  EASY  AND  GRACEFUL. 

"The  flight  is  smooth  and  protracted,  and  for  grace  and 
elegance  is  not  excelled  by  that  of  any  other  species.  To  fully 
appreciate  its  superiority  one  must  see  the  bird  on  the  wing, 
for  no  language  can  describe  the  beautv  of  the  ever-varying 
movements.  No  matter  whether  the  bird  is  soaring  far  above 
ifH  earth,  skimming  lightly  over  its  surface,  ..r  following  the 
different  gyrations  of  some  fleeting  insect,  the  observer  is 
surprised  as  well  as  charmed  at  the  wonderful  exhibition, 
uiten  It  will  stop  in  mid  air.  and  with  half  closed  wings  and 
depresse.J  tail,  shake  itself  much  after  the  manner  ..f  swal- 
lows whil?  bathing.  Although  it  often  alights  on  trees  it 
rarely  IS  seen  on  the  ground,  and  even  when  capturing' its 
prey  it  glides  swiftly  over  the  surface,  reachhig  down  a*  Ihe 
proper  mcment  to  secure  the  quarry.  Tt  gen^rallv  if  not 
always,  feed;.,  while  in  mid  air,  bending  its  ho.id  do'wnward 
and  toward  the  talons  to  tear  the  object  in  its  grasr)  It 
drinks  while  skimming  rapidly  over  the  surface  of  the  water 
Fisher     B   11  T)'"''''     ^'^'''"''^''^     ^"'^    '"^"y   other  birds:"-(Dr 


1 52 


.MISSISSIPPI  KITE. 
Ictinia  mississippieusis. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"General  form  short  and  compact.  Bill  short,  tip  emargin- 
ated;  wings  long,  pointed;  tail  rather  short,  emarginated;  tarsi 
short. 

^^Adult. — Upper  parts  of  body  dark  lead  color,  nearly  black 
on  rump;  head  and  under  parts  cinereous,  darkest  on  abdomen; 
quills  and  tail  brownish-black;  *  *  *  tips  of  secondaries 
ashy-white;  a  longitudinal  stripe  on  each  web  of  primaries 
chestnut  rufous."  (Length  of  male  about  14  inches  extent 
about  ne;  female  a  little  larger.)— B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat. —  Southern  United  States,  southward  from  South 
Carolina  on  the  coast,  and  Wisconsin  and  Iowa  in  the  interior 
to    Mexico.     Rare   straggler    in    Pennsylvania. 

I  have  never  met  with  it  in  this  State.     The  only 
specimen  that  has  been  taken  here,  so  far  as  I  can 
learn,  was  shot  in   September,  1892,  in  Cumberhind 
(;ounty.     This  specimen  is  in  the  museum  of  the  Penii 
svivania  State  College. 

FEEDS  ON  INSECTS. 

Dr.  Fisher's  examinations  of  the  stomachs  of  this 
Kite,  show  that  it  subsists  like  the  Swallow-tailed 
Kite,  principally  on  grasshoppers,  large  beetles,  katy- 
dids, crickets,  etc.  It  does  not  visit  the  poultry  yard 
and  game  birds  or  game  mammals  are  never  attacked 
by  it.  Lizards,  small-sized  snakes  and  frogs  are  some- 
times preyed  upon  by  this  Kite  when  insect  food  is  not 
readily  secured. 

Never  having  had  the  opportunity  of  studying  this 
bird  in  life  I  take  the  following  extracts  from  Dr. 
Fisher's  Bulletin: 

The  Mif-sissippi  Kite,  like  the  other  American  species,  in- 
habits the  more  southern  parts  of  our  terrirory.  It  is  dis- 
tributed f!(ini  Guatemala  north  through  eastarn  .\Tpxico  anj 
the    soutl-ern    T'nit(>d    States    (>ast    of    th-^     Rficky    Mountains, 


M  ISSISSI  PI     KITE 


153 

occurring  regularly  as  far  north  as  Georgia,  Southern  UUnols, 
Indian  Territory  and  Kansas,  and  casually  to  Iowa  and  Wis- 
confiin.  A  few  remain  In  the  southern  United  States  all  win- 
ter, but  the  greater  part  pass  on  to  Mexico  during  October, 
and  return  again  in  the  latter  part  of  April.  *  •  * 
"Thrc^  specimens  which  Wilson  examined  at  Natchez,  Mi?B., 
ccntained  the  remains  of  beetles,  and  he  taw  them  flying 
about  the  trees  feeding  on  cicadas.  Dr.  Coues  mentions  one 
sliot  at  Blufflon,  South  Carolina,  whose  stomach  was 
crammed  with  the  same  insects,  together  w'th  a  few  katydids. 
It  is  wonderful  at  what  a  distance  its  iceen  eyes  can  delect 
a  conjparatively  small  insect.  Mr.  E.  \V.  Nelson  feays:  *I 
paw  them  repeatedly  dart  with  unerring  aim  upim  some  luck- 
less grasshopper  from  an  elevation  of  at  least  100  yards." — 
(Bull.  Essex  Inst.,  Vol.  LX,  1877,  p.  58.) 

THE   NEST    AND   EGGS. 

"As  regards  the  economic  value  of  this  Kite,  much  of  the 
same  statement  may  be  made  as  of  the  previous  species.  It 
does  little  or  no  damage,  but  much  good.  Soon  after  arriv- 
ing in  its  summer  home  it  begins  to  remodel  its  old  nest  or  the 
deserted  nest  of  some  other  bird,  and  more  rarely,  when  these 
are  not  available,  it  builds  a  new  one.  The  remodeling  con- 
sists in  patching  up  the  sides  with  a  few  sticks  and  adding 
a  sparse  lining  of  Spanish  moss  or  green  leaves.  The  nest  is 
usually  situated  in  the  tops  of  the  tallest  trees,  among  the 
smaller  branches,  where  it  is  well  concealed  by^  the  foliage. 
The  full  complement  of  eggs,  usually  two  or  three  in  number, 
is  deposited  by  the  middle  of  May,  though  in  some  cases  it 
must  be  much  earlier,  for  the  writer  once  secured  a  young 
bird  in  southern  Louisiana  the  last  of  May  which  already 
had  acquired  nearly  the  adult  plumage. 

NOT    A    SHY    BIRD. 

"The  Kite  is  not  at  all  shy,  and  may  be  secured  easily  as 
it  sits  on  some  tall  stub;  in  fact.  Col.  N.  S.  Goss  tells  of 
shooting  a  pair  from  the  same  tree,  as  the  second  one  did  not 
move  at  the  report  of  the  gun,  but  looked  down  with  sur- 
prise on  its  fallen  companion.  It  is  said  to  be  moi-ose  and  ir- 
ritable in  captivity  and  very  difficult  to  tame.  A  specimen 
which  the  writer  once  wounded  was  the  very  picture  of  rage 
as  with  flashing  eyes  and  erect  crest  it  threw  itself  on  its 
back  and  prepared  to  repel  the  aggressor  with  its  talons. 

"This  species  is  fully  as  gregarious  as  any  of  the  other 
Kites,  and  oftentimes  may  be  seen  in  flocks  of  twenty  or 
more  circling  over  a  favorite  hunting  ground.  It  is  observed 
most  frequently  around  the  border  of  woods  in  the  vicinity 
of  water,  and  is  particularly  fond  of  half  cleared  ground 
where   dead   trees  still  stand,   these  being  used   for   perches. 

"Its  flight  is  as  varied  and  graceful  as  that  of  the  Swallow- 
tailed  Kite,  is  long  protracted,  and  the  bird  often  ascends 
to  so  great  a  height  as  to  be  barely  visible.  While  soaring 
high  in  the  air  its  flight  simulates  that  of  the  Turkey  Buz- 
zard very  closely,  and  as  the  two  birds  often  are  seen  to- 
gether the   Kite  looks   li"ke  a    miniature  of  the  other." 


154 


MARSH  HAWK. 

Circus  hudsonlns. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Face  partly  encircled  by  a  ruff  or  imperfect  facial  disc  of 
small  stiffened  feathers  as  in  the  owls;  nostrils  large;  wings 
long  and  pointed;   tail   long;   tarsus  long  and   slender. 

Male. —  Light  bluish  gray  above  and  on  neck  and  breast; 
upper  tail-poverts  and  most  of  under  parts  white;  some 
under  feathers  under  wings  and  lower  part  of  breast  and 
abdomen  spotted  with  rusty.  Female  and  young  are  darli- 
bi'own  above,  strealied  on  head  and  neck  with  reddish 
brown;  below  reddish-brown,  much  brighter  in  some  speci- 
mens than  others;  upper  tail-coverts  white.  Length  of  fe- 
male about  IS  to  20  inches;  extent  about  44;  tail  9  or  10  inches; 
bill  and  claws  blackish;  legs,   feet  and   eyes  yellow. 

Habitat.— ^oYi\\   America  in   general,   south    to   Panama. 

The  Marsli  Hawk,  known  also  as  Harrier  and  Botf- 
trotter.  is  most  frequently  seen  throughout  Pennsyl- 
vania in  the  spring  and  fall,  but  it  breeds  often  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  State,  and  in  some  of  the  southern 
counlies  it  is  found  during  all  months  of  the  year.  It:^ 
Mcsf,  with  eggs  or  young,  have  been  found  by  the  fol- 
lowing gentlemen  in  Iheir  respective  counties:  Dr. 
John  W.  Detwiller,  Xorthamj)ton :  R.  C.  AVrenshali, 
Allegheny;  H.  J.  Roddy.  Perry:  Dr.  Van  Fleet,  Clin- 
ton; Geo.  S.  Morris,  Philadelphia;  Hon.  G.  C.  Brown. 
York;  Otto  Behr,  Sullivan;  \\ .  W.  Stoey,  Dauphin, 
and  J.  L.  Camp.  Bradford.  I  h.ave  observed  the  Marsh 
Hawk  to  be  most  numerous  in  the  fall,  frequentintf 
the  extensive  and  grassy  mend<nA-  lands,  chiefly  about 
the  large  streams. 

When  flying  this  species  can  easily  lie  distinguished 
from  other  haA\ks  by  the  white  upper  tail-cover! s,  sd 
conspicuous  in  tlu'  females  and  immature  birds,  or 
those  usually  met  with.  The  old  male,  rare  and  sel- 
dom found  in  this  section,  can  be  recognized  by  the 
bluish  white  plumage. 


fc. 


i 


MARSH     HAW  K 


15fi 

insccis;  one.  hirj^c  iiiiihIkm'  of  i>i';issliO])pei's  wilh  ;i  sniiill 
<lii;iri(i(_v  (»(■  lijiii'.  cvidciidy  lliiil  of  ;i  yoniij;  riibl)if. 

WHAT    VARIOUS     WRITERS    SAY. 

Coiicciniii^-  I  lie  food  of  this  hli-d  different  writers 
spenk  as  follows: 

"When  proy  is  discovered  the  hawk  poises  for  a  moment 
over  the  spot  and  then  drops  quickly  on  it,  and  if  successful 
is  sure  to  beat  over  tlie  same  place  before  leaving.  Tt  gen- 
erally devour.s  its  quarry  on  or  near  the  spot  where  captured, 
instead  of  carrying-  it  away.  Its  food  consists  largely  of  small 
rodents,  such  as  meadow  mice,  half-grown  squirrels,  rabbits 
and  spermophiles  or  ground  squirrels.  In  fact,  so  extensively 
does  it  feed  on  the  last  named  animals  that  the  writer  rarely 
has  examined  a  stomach  from  the  West  which  did  not  contain 
their  remains. 

FEEDS    ON    REPTILES    AND    INSECTS. 

In  addition  to  the  above  it  preys  upon  lizards,  frogs,  snakes, 
insects  and  birds;  of  the  latter,  the  smaller  ground-dwelling 
species  usually  are  taken.  When  hard  pressed  it  is  said  to 
feed  on  offal  and  carrion,  and  in  the  spring  and  fall,  when 
water  fowl  ai'e  abundant,  it  occasionally  preys  upon  dead 
and  wounded  birds-left  by  gunners.  It  seldom  chases  birds  on 
the  wing,  though  the  writer  has  seen  it  do  so  in  a  few  in- 
stances."— Fisher   Bulletin   No.    .3. 

Audubon  says: 

"The  food  of  the  Marsh  Hawk  consists  of  insects  of  various 
kinds,  especially  crickets;  of  lizards,  frogs,  snakes,  birds, 
principally  the  smaller  sorts,  although  it  will  attack  par- 
tridges, plovers,  and  even  green-winged  teals,  when  urged  by 
excessive    hunger." 

Mr.  H.  W.  Hensliaw,  whose  extensive  field  experi- 
ence in  the  West  gave  him  abundant  opportunity  of 
thoroughly  acquainting  himself  with  the  habits  of  this 
species,  says: 

"They  were  seen  at  all  hours  of  the  day  *  *  *  * 
in  search  of  mice  and  gophers,  which,  when  obtainable,  con- 
stitute the  major  part  of  their  food.  When  urged  by  hunger, 
it  may  attack  birds,  and  I  remember  to  have  once  been  robbed 
of  a  widgeon  I  had  killed  and  kept  lying  in  the  water,  by  one 
of  these  birds;  but  generally  they  confine  their  attacks  to 
the  humblest  kind  of  game.  which  possess  neither  the 
strength  to  enable  them  to  resist  nur  the  activity  l«  evade 
the  sudden  descent  of  their  winged  onemv." — Ornith  Wheeler 
Survev,    100    Meriii.,    187;"). 


157 

•Ml-.  liohfil  Kid-^wjiv  found  Uie  slomaclis  and  crops 
of  (hose  hawks  wliicli  he  obtained  at  Pyi-aniid  Lake, 
Nevada,  '^filled  to  Iheii-  utmost  capacity  with  tlie  le- 
niaius  of  small  lizards,  and  nothing  else." 

PROTECTS  THE  CROPS. 

There  is  another  way  in  which  it  protects  crops,  albeit 
unconsciously,  as  appears  from  the  fonowing:  'It  is  also  said 
to  be  very  serviceable  in  the  southern  rice  fields  in  interrupt- 
ing the  devastations  made  by  swarms  of  bobolinks.  As  it 
sails  low  ana  swiftly  over  the  fields  it  keeps  the  flocks  in  per- 
petual fluctuation  and  gi-eatly  interrupts  their  depredations. 
Wilson  states  that  one  marsh  hawk  was  considered  by  the 
planters  equal  to  several  negroes  for  alarming  the  rice 
birds.'"— (Hist.   N.   A.  Birds,   Vol.   Ill,   p.  218.) 

"Dr  Merriam  bears  witness  to  the  truth  of  the  foregoing, 
for  while  at  Georgetown,  South  Carolina,  he  saw  an  immense 
flock  of  bobolinks  driven  from  a  field  by  one  of  these  hawks, 
which  simply  passed  over  at  a  considerable  height,  and  made 
no  movement  to  molest  them. 

"Although  the  hawk  occasionally  carries  off  poultry  and 
game  birds,  its  economic  value  as  a  destroyer  of  mammal 
pests  IS  so  great  that  its  slight  irregularities  should  be  par- 
doned. Unfortunately,  however,  the  farmer  and  sportsman 
shoot  It  down  at  .sight,  regardless  or  ignorant  of  the  fact  that 
It  preserves  an  immense  quantity  of  grain,  thousands  of 
fruit  trees  and  innumerable  nests  of  game  birds  by  destrov- 
mg  the  vermin  which  eat  the  grain,  girdle  the  trees  and  de- 
vour ^the  eggs  and  young  of  the  birds."— Dr.   Fisher,   Bulletin 

A   FRIEND   OF  THE   PARMER. 

A  study;  of  this  badly  abused  bird  should  convince 
any  fair-minded  pei-son  that  it  is  one  of  the  most  bene- 
ficial of  the  birds  of  prey.  It  should  be  aHowed  to 
niuUii»ly  and  not  be  wantonly  slau^rhtored  by  farmers 
and  j^unners,  simijjy  for  no  better  reason  than  that  it 
is  a  "hawk.'  It  is  a  most  persistent  hunter  of  meadow 
mice,  which  in  recent  years  have  done  so  much  dam- 
age in  many  paits  of  Pennsylvania.  This  surely  enti- 
tles it  to  protection;  and  if  farmers  and  otheis  who  de- 
stroy (he  Marsh  Hawks  which  visit  their  premises  were 
aware  of  the  benefit  these  birds  do,  I  am  confident 
such    <iiiel    slauo-hter    would    cease,   and    great    o-ood 


158 

would  suoii  follow  in  the  decrease  of  destructive  ro- 
dents, wliieli  couuiiit  .sucli  serious  depredations  in  the 
vineyards,  and  in  the  grass  and  grain  fields. 

Consulting   Dr.   Fisher's  tables  on    tiie   food   of   the 
.Marsli  llawk  we  find  that  '*of  124  stoniaclis  examined, 
7  contained  poultry  or  game  birds;  34,  other  birds;  57. 
mice;  22,  other  mammals;  7,  reptiles;  2.  frogs;  14,  in 
sects;  1,  indeterminate  matter;  and  8  were  empty." 


SHARP  SHINNED  HAWK 


159 


SHARP-SHINNED  HAWK. 
Accipiter  velox. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult.— Vijvar  parts  uniform  dark  bluish-gray;  top  of  head 
somewhat  darker;  tail  is  marked  with  several  transverse 
blackish  bands;  lower  parts  white;  the  breast  and  sides 
being  barred  with  brownish  black  or  rufous.  Ins,  reddish- 
orange. 

Immature.— Vpper  parts  dusky;  usually,  with  numerous 
lighter  spots,  and  the  feathers  more  or  less  conspicuously 
bordered  with  rusty;  lower  parts  whitish,  marked  with  brown 
and    dusky    streaks.     Iris,    light   yellow. 

A  large  female  of  this  species  measures  about  14  inches  iii 
length  by  2G  inches  in  extent;  the  even  or  slightly  notched 
tail  meas'ures  about  SVi  inches;  the  male  is  smaller. 

Habitat. —Soith  America  at  large.  Common  in  Pennsylva- 
nia,  parlicularly   in   sparsely   settled    regions. 

The  Sliarp-.sliiniied  Hawk  is  known  in  different  sec- 
tions of  l»ennsvivania  bv  a  variety  of  local  names,  the 
most  common  of  which  are,  ''partridge"  or  "little  quail 
hawk,"  "pi;4-eon  hawk,"  and  "brown  hawk."  Unfor- 
tunately much  of  this  hawk's  destructive  work  in  the 
l)oultry  yard  and  to  game  and  small  wild  birds  is 
wrongfully  attributed  to  the  beautiful  and  servicable 
Sparrow  Hawk,  which,  on  account  of  its  size,  is  frc- 
(luently  mistaken  by  farmers,  poultry-raisers  and 
sportsmen  for  the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  which  annual- 
ly destroys  a  large  amount  of  domestic  fowls,  quail  and 
grouse. 

This  extremely  daring  and  spirited  little  hawk  is  ono 
of  the  most  abundant  of  our  North  American  species. 
It  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  as  a  resident,  but  during 
the  spring  and  fall  migrations — March,  April,  Septem- 
ber and  October — it  is  plentiful,  being  frequently  met 
with  in  the  mountainous  and  h(>avily-wnode(1  rlistrictJ». 
;is  well  as  in  the  cultivated  and  rich  agricultural  re- 
gions.    .Mthough  a  native  throughout  the  State,  it  is 


Hid 

iinicli  iiioic  II  miici'oiis  (lining  llic  brccdiii;,^  season  in 
(liinlv  sell  led  and  woudi-d  disliicts.  Thu  iicsis  in  lliis 
localitv,  accordinj^'  to  my  experience,  are  mostly  biiill 
in  low  trees,  and  they  are  made  up  almost  entirely  of 
small  twiirs. 


THE  NEST   AND   EGGS. 

I  have  taken  two  nests,  both  built  in  low  cedar  trees; 
these  nests  were  entirely  constructed  of  small  twigs, 
and  were  loosely,  but  firmly  made.     The  cavity  of  one 
nest  was  quite  superficial,  but  that  of  the  other  was 
well  formed.     The  ejj;gs — each  nest  contained  five — 
are  deposited  about  the  first  of  May.     They  are  nearly 
spherical,  white   or  bluish- white,   marked   with   large 
and  irregular  splashes  or- blotches  of  brown,  and  meas- 
ure about  1.4G  by  l.lfl  inches.     Gentry,  a   close  ob- 
server and  facile  writer,  remarks  in  his  "Life  Histories 
of  Birds,"  that  the  "eggs,  in  some  instances,  are  laid 
on  consecutive  days,  but  we  have  positive  proofs  that 
sometimes  a  single  day  is  intermitted,  and  at  other 
times,  even  two  and  three  days  intervene  between  each 
deposit."     In  one  of  my  nests  I  found  two  days  to  in- 
tervene after  the  deposition  of  each  of  three  eggs,  and 
the  fifth  ovum  was  deposited  after  an  intervention  of 
three  days,     (lentry  has  found  them  breeding  in  the 
deserted  nest  of  the  common   grey  squirrel.     Mr.  J. 
Hoopes   Matlack,    of   West   Chester,   informs    uie    he 
found  a  pair  breeding  in  an  old  crow's  nest;  such  sites, 
however,  Gentry  advises  us,  are  rarely  chosen.     It  is 
said     this    species    will     sometimes    build  on  a   ledge 
of  rock  or  on  hollow  and  decaying  Iree  limbs.     One 
nest,  which  I  had  the  opportunity  of  observing  fronv 
its  early  commencement,  was  built  by  (lie  united  labor 
of  both  l»ir(ls,  which  occnjiied  a  period  of  seven  days. 
Gentrv.  wlio  doubtless,  lias  had  a  more  extensive  ex- 


tki 


)in- 


itu 


161 

perieiice,  gives  three  and  four  davs,  according  to  style, 
as  the  time  requisite  for  the  construction  of  the  nest. 

Various  writers  assert  that  dry  grass,  leaves,  moss, 
etc.,  aid  in  the  make-up  of  the  nests;  such,  no  doubt, 
is  the  case,  but  as  previously  stated,  I  have  found 
sticks  and  twigs  to  solely  constitute  the  nests. 

Incubation  is  alternately  engaged  in  by  both  birds, 
which,  while  they  show  great  solicitude  for  their  off- 
spring, repelling  all  bird  intruders  with  the  most  dr 
((Miiiincd  /(al  and  ])ugnacity,  will,  when  molested  by 
man,  show  marked  timidity,  and  leave  to  his  desecra- 
tion their  nest  and  its  contents.  The  young  are  care- 
fully watched  and  fed  by  the  parents,  chiefly  on  a  diet 
of  small  birds — sparrows  principally — until.  Gentry 
says,  they  are  al)out  six  weeks  old,  when  they  are  able 
to  provide  food  for  themselves. 

FOND  OF  POULTRY  AND  SONG  BIRDS. 

This  hawk  occasionally  feeds  upon  insects,  mice  and 
reptiles,  but  the  greater  portion  of  its  food  consists  of 
wild  birds  and  poultry,  particularly  young  poultry. 
^^'hen  a  pair  of  Sharp-shinned  or  Cooper's  Hawks  nest 
in  the  neighborhood  of  a  farm,  where  young  chickens 
can  readily  be  captured,  they,  if  not  speedily  killed, 
will  visit  the  place  almost  daily  until  the  young  chicks 
have  all  been  destroyed,  and  if  the  hawks  are  not  mo- 
lested after  a  few  visits  to  the  coo])s,  they  seem  to  bo- 
come  more  bold  and  daring  every  day. 

KILLS    GAME    BIRDS. 

This  hawk  does  not  by  any  means  devote  his  atten- 
tion exclusively  to  young  poultry  Avhen  lie  comes  about 
the  farm  yard,  but  often  may  be  seen  to  attack  and 
kill    chickens   when    two-thirds   or   even    full    grown., 

11--IT 


162 

Pheasants  or  Ruffed  Groase,  both  old  and  young,  also 
quail,  are  destroyed  in  considerable  numbers  by  the 
Sharp-shinned  hawks.  Young  rabbits  and  squirrels 
are  occasionally  captured  by  these  hawks,  and  on  on<' 
occasion,  a  few  years  ago,  a  hunter  of  my  acquaint^ 
ance  shot  and  presented  to  me  a  pair  of  these  hawks 
which  had  killed  several  young  wild  turkeys,  which  ho 
said  were  about  one-third  grown.  I  have  known  both 
the  Sharp-shinned  and  Cooper's  Hawks,  which  had 
probably  been  watching  coveys  of  quail,  to  suddenly 
swoop  down  and  seize  a  quail  which  had  been  shot, 
when  the  spoitsnian  was  only  a  few  yards  from  the 
quail  he  liad  killed  or  wounded.  Doves,  which  in  re- 
cent years  or  since  the  wild  pigeons  have  disappeared 
from  this  region,  are  eagerly  sought  after  by  sports- 
men in  many  sections  of  the  State,  are  very  often  de- 
stroyed by  these  hawks,  and  they  also  sometimes  at- 
tack domestic  pigeons. 

According  to  Nuttall: 

"This  species  feeds  particularly  upon  mice,  lizards,  small 
birds,  and  sometimes  even  squirrels.  In  thinly  settled  dis- 
tricts this  Hawk  seems  to  abound,  and  P'ro\es  extremely  de- 
structive to  young  chickens,  a  single  bird  having  been  known 
regularly  to  come  every  day  until  he  had  carried  away  be- 
tween   twenty   and    thirty." 

The  same  writer  relates  a  circumstances,  wjiere  he 
was  one  day  conversing  with  a  planter,  when  one  of 
these  hawks  came  down  and  without  any  cereudonv 
or  heeding  the  loud  cries  of  the  housewife,  who  most 
I'chictantly  witnessed  the  robbery,  snatched  away  ;i 
chicken  directly  befor<'  them. 

Dr.  (youes  says: 

"It  preys  chiefly  upon  small  birds  and  quadrupeds,  captur- 
ing in  the  dashing  manner  of  all  the  species  of  this  gmuj), 
and,   like   its  small   allies,   feeds   to  some  extent  upon   insects." 


163 

Since  the  advent  and  alarming  increase  of  the  Eng 
lish  Sparrow,  it  is  not  iinnsnal  for  the  Sharp-shinned 
Hawk  to  pay  occasional  visits  to  towns  and  villages 
wliere  lie  should  be  heartily  welcomed  for  the  destrnc- 
lion  he  causes  among  these  featliered  pests. 

Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher  very  properly  says: 

"Little  can  be  said  in  favor  of  this  hawk,  althuugh  its  dar- 
ing courage  and  impudence  are  to  be  admired.  On  this  and 
the  two  following  species  (Cooper's  Hawk  and  Goshawk) 
mainly  rest  the  responsibility  for  the  ill-favor  with  which 
the  other  hawks  are  regarded.  A  score  of  valuable  species 
suffer  because  they  belong  to  a  class  which  includes  two  or 
three  noxious  kinds.  However,  like  most  villains,  it  has  at 
least  one  redeeming  quality,  and  that  is  its  fondness  for  the 
English  Sparrow,  our  imported  bird  nuisance." 

SOME   SMALL  BIRDS   IT  DEVOURS. 

The  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  is  known  to  kill  and  feed 
upon  the  following  species  of  small  wild  birds  which 
are  common  in  tliis  State: 

Meadow   Lark,  Red-headed    Woodpecker. 

Common   Robin,  Cat   Bird, 

Crow  Blackbird,  English   Sparrow, 

Cow   Blackbird,  Song    Sparrow. 

Blue  Bird,  Tree    Sparrow, 

Flicker,  Snow  Bird, 

Downy   Woodpecker,  Fox   Sparrow, 

Goldfinch,  Chipping   Sparrow, 

Savanna   Sparrow,  Orchard   Oriole. 

Baltimore  Oriole,  White-throated  Sparrow, 

Chickadee.  Brown   Thrush, 

Hermit   Thrush,  Myrtle  Warbler, 

Red  Eyed  Vireo,  Common   Pewee. 
Black  Throated  Green  Warbler,    Oven  Bird. 
Red-winged   Blackbird, 

This  list  could  be  considerably  enlarged,  as  there  are 
many  other  kinds  of  birds  which  different  observers 
have  idendfied  among  the  stomach  contents  of  this 
hawk.  Tlie  list  is,  liowever.  sntficiently  large  to  give 
(he  general  reader  a  very  dear  idea  that  the  Sharp- 
sliinn<>d  is  cvci"  ready  to  rapture  and  prey  upon  almost 


164 

i\uy  bird  lii'  can  luastur.  The  sloiuacli  coiilciils  of 
IwenI v-soveii  Sharp-sliiuiiod  Hawks  examined  by  the 
N\  riter.  aie  uixen  in  (he  followinu,-  table: 


Locality. 


Kood  Materials. 


1.. 

September  7,    1878,. 

Chester  county,    Ta.,    .. 

Song   sparrow. 

:;, . 

September  14,   1S78,. 

Chester  county,    Ta  ,    .. 

Quail. 

November    20.     ISTS, 

Newark,    I>ela\vare 

Chicken. 

i,'. 

November  17,    1879,. 

Chester  county,    I'a..    .. 

Snowbird. 

u, . 

May  3,    li.79 

Chester  county,    I'a,    .. 

l'"ield   mice. 

6,. 

September  10.  ISTH,. 

Chester  county.   Pa.,    .. 

English  sparrow  .in'l 
field     niicee. 

~.  • 

May  30,   1880 

Delaware  county.    Pa.,. 

Chicken. 

8,. 

June  2,   issu 

Chester  county,   Pa.,    .. 

Chicken. 

9.. 

June  3,    1880.    

Chester  county.    Pa.,    .. 

Chicken. 

10^. 

August  23,  1881 

Chester  county,    Pa.,    .. 

Grasshoppers  and  bee- 
tles. 

11,. 

October  16.   1881,    ... 

Chester  county.    Pa.,    .. 

Quail. 

12,. 

October  29,   18S1,    ... 

Chester  county.    Pa.,    .. 

Quail  and  fragments  of 
beetles. 

13,. 

June  22,    1881 

Lancaster   county.    Pa. , 

Chicken. 

14,. 

October,    1881,    

Chester  county.   Pa.,    .. 

Meadow     lark. 

15.. 

May  23,   lS>b2 

York  county.    Pa 

Warbler. 

16,. 

December  13,  1S82,  . 

Chester  county,    Pa..    .. 

Song    sparrow. 

IT,. 

April   3,    1SS2 

Chester  county.    Pa,    .. 

Robin. 

18,. 

September  2j.    ]^81,. 

Chester  county.    I'a.,    .. 

Field    sparrow. 

19.. 

October  3,   18!^0 

Chester  county.    Pa.,    .. 

English    si>arrow. 

20,. 

November  26,    1S86.. 

Chester  county.   Pa.,    .. 

Song  sparrow  amU  fi'X 
sparrow. 

21,. 

August  15,  1887 

Ijycoming  county.   Pa... 

Mourning  dove. 

22,. 

September  19,  1887,. 

Dauphin  county.   Pa.,    . 

Ruffed    grouse. 

23,. 

November  17,   1&87,. 

Delaware  county,    la.. 

Common    pigeon,     chl  k 
adee. 

24,. 

June  20,  1888 

Lackawanna  county .  Pa . 

Red-eyed  vireo  an  1 
chicken. 

25,. 

October  1.   1890,    .... 

McKean    crunty.     !''a  . 

Downy  woodpeck' r  and 
snowbird. 

2C, 

August  27,    1891,    .. 

Chester  county.    Pa..    .. 

Brown  thru.'-h  and  bee- 
tles. 

27,. 

December    10,    1895, 

Luzerne   county.    Pa.,    . 

Field    mice   and    Engll?li 

sparrow. 

COOPERS 


165 


COOPER'S  HAWK. 
Accipiter  cooperi. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult.— Above  uniform  bluish-gray,  and  top  of  head  black- 
isli;  tail  has  several  transverse  blackish  bands;  lower  parts 
white;  breast  and  sides  being-  barred  with  dusky  or  reddish- 
brown.    Iris    reddish    amber. 

ImmaUire.  —Above  dusky,  more  or  less  spotted  with  white 
ana  reddish  brown;  tail  banded;  lower  parts  whitish  with 
long  brown  spots.  Iris  yellow.  A  large  female  measures 
from  18  to  20  inches  in  length  by  o6  in  extent;  the  long  and 
rounded   tail   measures  about  8V->   inches;   the   male  is   smaller. 

Habitat. — North  America  in  general.  Common  in  I'ennsyl- 
vania,    particularly    in    wooded    and    mountainous    districts. 

This  miK'li  (leslested  and  commonly  called  ''Lonp^- 
tailed  Chicken  or  Pheasant  Hawk" — a  native — is  resi- 
dent but  it  is  not  nearly  so  plentiful  during  the  winter 
season  as  throuoliont  the  late  spring,  summer  and 
early  autumn. 

THE   NEST  AND  EGGS. 

Nest  building  is  commonly  begun  in  this  locality 
about  the  middle  of  April,  and  lasts  for  a  period  of 
from  three  to  five  days.  Occasionally  this  bird  will 
deposit  its  eggs  in  a  deserted  crow's  nest.  I  believe 
they  prefer  to  erect  their  own  nests,  and,  from  my  ob- 
servation, am  quite  j)Ositive  they  only  appropriate  the 
nests  of  other  birds  wlu'n  their  own  have  been  de- 
stroyed. The  building  of  the  nest  is  the  conjoint  l-.'.bor 
of  both  birds. 

It  is  usually  built  in  a  thick  woods,  and  when  a  pair 
of  Cooper's  Hawks  begin  housekeeping  in  woodland 
near  the  farmer's  poultry  yard  and  they  are  not  soon 
hunlcd  lip  and  l<ilh'(l  or  (heir  nt'St  and  its  conlent--^  de- 
stroved,  tlie  chances  are  tliey  will  dcslrov  a  good  maiiv 


IOC 

dollars  worth  of  poultry  before  they  aud  their  young 
leave  the  locality. 

Externally  the  nest  is  built  of  sticks  varying  much) 
in  size.  It  is  generaly  lined  with  the  inner  layer  of 
bark,  although,  frequently,  blades  of  grass,  feathers 
and  leaves  enter  into  the  construction  of  the  interior. 
While  certain  writers  have  described  the  nest  as  broad, 
with  but  a  slight  concavity,  1  liave  invariably  found 
the  concavities  to  be  well  marked.  The  eggs  measure 
about  1.02x1.50  inches  and  usually  number  from  three 
to  foui',  although  it  is  not  a  rare  occurrence  to  find  five. 
In  color  they  are  a  dull,  bluish-white.  Sets  are  some- 
times taken  with  numerous  and  unevenly  distributed 
brown  or  reddish  spots.  The  period  of  incubation  is 
given  by  Prof.  Thomas  Gentry  (Birds  of  Eastern  Penn- 
sylvania), to  be  18  days.  Although  in  this  particular 
my  observation  has  been  somewhat  limited,  1  am  fully 
convinced  that  the  time  required  for  this,  likewise 
other  of  our  birds  of  prey,  is  three  weeks  or  over.  The 
young  leave  the  nest  in  about  25  days;  when  about  8 
or  9  weeks  old  they  are  able  to  provide  food  for  them- 
selves; to  this  time,  however,  they  are  carefully  guard- 
ed by  the  old  birds  and  fed  almost  entirely  on  a  diet 
of  small  wild  birds,  chickens,  an  occasional  mammal 
and  some  few  insects. 

AN  AUDACIOUS  POULTRY  THIE^F. 

While  it  is  true  that  the  Cooper's  Hawk  preys  to  a 
much  greater  extent  on  full  grown  poultry  than  does 
his  daring  little  relative  the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk, 
there  is  no  doubt  that  at  times  individual  Cooper's 
Hawks  are  equally  as  bad  about  destroying  young 
poultry  }is  are  the  Sharp  shinned  Hawks.  For  impu- 
dent dnring  this  present  sppcics,  without  doubt,  rnnks 
pre-eminent  jimong  the  raptorial  genern.  Almost  every 


COOPERS     HAWK  .  (YOUNG) 


1(17 

farmer  or  [xmltiy  laisei-  cau  leeouut  iustauces  of 
where  lie  or  slie  was  ilie  victim  of  pillage  by  this  bold 
and  audacious  robber,  in  the  spring  of  187!S  ihe 
writer  was  presented  bv  a  friend  with  a  Cooper's 
Hawk  which  he  had  caught  in  a  steel  trap,  but  not 
until  he  and  his  mate  had  destroyed  some  fifty  young 
chickens.  In  one  day  these  two  hawks  killed  twelve 
chirkens. 

A    BOLD    ACT. 

Audulxin  says:  "This  maramUr  sometimfs  attacks  birds  fai 
superior  to  itself  in  weight  and  sometimes  possessed  of  a 
courage  and  strength  equal  to  its  own.  .\s  I  was  one  morning 
observing  the  motions  of  some  parakeets,  near  Bayou  Sara, 
in  Louisiana,  in  the  month  of  November,  I  heard  a  cock 
crowing  not  far  from  me  and  in  sight  of  a  farm  house.  The 
next  moment  the  hawk  flew  past  me  and  so  close  that  I  might 
have  touched  it  with  the  barrel  of  my  gun  had  I  been  pre- 
pared. Not  more  than  a  few  seconds  elapsed  before  I  heard 
the  cackling  of  the  hens  and  the  war  cry  of  the  cock,  and  at 
the  same  time  observed  the  hawk  rising,  as  if  without  ef- 
fort, a  few  yards  in  the  air  and  again  falling  toward  the 
ground  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning.  I  proceeded  to  the  spot 
and  found  the  hawk  grappled  to  the  body  of  the  cock,  both 
tumbling  over  and  over  and  paying  no  attention  to  me  as  I 
approached.  Desirous  of  seeing  the  result,  I  remained  still 
until,  perceiving  that  the  hawk  had  given  a  fatal  squeeze  to 
the  brave  cock,  I  ran  to  secure  the  former  but  the  marauder 
had  kept  a  hawk's  eye  upon  me,  and,  disengaging  himself, 
rose  in  the  air  in  full  confidence.  The  next  moment  I  pulled 
the    trigger   and   he   fell    dead.  " 

A   MIXED   DIET. 

Dr.  Coues  (Birds  of  Nortliwest)  says,  in  speaking  of  this 
liawk:  "Possessed  of  spirit  commensurate  with  its  physical 
powers,  it  preys  upon  game  little  if  any  humbler  than  that 
of  our  more  powerful  falcons.  It  attacks  and  destroys 
hares,  grouse,  teal,  and  even  the  young  of  larger  ducks,  in 
the  state  in  which  they  are  known  as  'flappers,'  besides  cap- 
turing the  usual  variety  of  smaller  birds  and  quadrupeds. 
It  occasionally  seizes  upon  reptiles  or  picks  up  insects.  In 
securing  its  prey  it  gives  chase  openly  and  drives  down  Its 
quarry    with   almost    incredible   velocity." 

The  following  quotations  from  Dr.  Fisher's  Hawk  and  Owl 
Bulletin  No.  ?,.  page  39,  show  how  extensively  the  Cooper's 
Hawk  feed.'^  on  game  and  domestic  birds.  Nuttall  says:  "His 
food  appears  principally  to  be  of  various  kinds;  from  the 
sparrow  to  the  Ruffed  Grouse,  all  contribute  to  his  rapacious 


108 

appeUle.  *  His    (lepredatiuiis    among    domestic 

fowls  are  very   df.stiuctive.  "     (Land  Birds,  1832,  p.  90.) 

Mr.  H.  Nehrling  says:  "This  very  common  and  impudent 
robber  is  the  most  destructive  of  the  Raptores  to  the  barn- 
yard fowls;  in  a  shoil  time  all  the  young  chicliens,  turkeys 
and  ducks  are  killed  by  it."  (Bull.  Nutl.  Ornith.  Club,  Vol. 
VII,  82,  p.   174.) 

Mr  Thomas  Mcllwaith  says:  "This  is  one  of  the  chicken 
liawks,  and  it  well  deserves  the  name,  from  the  havoc  it 
makes  among   the  poultrj'."     (Birds  of   Ontario,   p.    137.) 

DESTROYS   QUAIL. 

"Mr.  Henshaw  informs  me  that  the  Cooper's  Hawk  is  very 
partial  to  quail  flesli  in  Calif nrnia  and  the  southern  territories, 
and  that  it  undoubtedly  secures  many  victims.  He  once  saw 
a  young  female  dart  into  a  bevy  of  Gambel's  quail  and  seize 
one  with  the  utmost  ease,  though  the  birds  were  flying  at  full 
speed.  In  an  instant  the  flock  scattered  in  every  direction  and 
sought  refuge  in  the  bushes,  from  which  it  proved  next  to  im- 
possible to  dislodge  them.  They  had  recognized  their  enemy 
and  evidently  knew  that  tht  ir  only  chance  for  safety  lay  in 
close  hiding." 

FEEDS   ON   DOMESTIC   PIGEONS. 

"Cooper's  Hawk  is  very  destructive  to  domestic  pigeons, 
and  when  it  finds  a  cote  which  is  easy  of  approach,  it  is  very 
troublesome.  Dr.  William  C.  Avery,  of  Greensboro,  Alabama, 
informs  us  that  dui-ing  one  year  he  killed  and  wounded  at 
least  a  dozen  of  these  hawks  before  the  inroads  among  liis 
doves  ceased.  Among  the  smaller  birds,  this  hawk  is  very 
fond  of  meadow  larks,  robins  and  flickers.  The  writer,  on 
several  occasions,  has  secured  specimens  in  hot  pursuit  of  the 
last  named  bird,  which  gave  expression  to  their  alarm  by  loud 
and  continued  cries." 

KILLS  GROUSE   AND   OTHER   GAME. 

The  common  name  of  "Long-tailed  Pheasant  Hawk," 
bj  which  this  swift-wingecJ  plunderer  is  best  known  in 
the  mountainous  and  sparsely  settled  regions,  is  giveu 
because  of  the  great  damage  this  hawk  does  by  de- 
stroying Ruffed  Grouse.  For  several  years  past  the 
writer  has  every  season  visited  different  localities  in 
i'enusylvania,  for  the  purpose  of  hunting  the  Ruffed 
Grouse  or  TMioasant,  and  from  personal  observation  is 
well  aware  (hat  the  Cooper's  Hawk  is  a  most  destruc- 


169 

tive  foe  of  this  toothsome  game  bird.  Hunters  and 
woodsmen  have  often  told  me  that  these  "pheasant 
hawks,"  referring  to  both  the  Cooper's  and  Sharp- 
shinned,  kill  almost  as  many  birds  as  the  average 
sportsman,  and  judging  from  the  way  in  which  a  good 
many  sportsmen  "shoot"  when  they  are  in  the  brush- 
after  the  wily  grouse  it  is  very  likely  that  this  state- 
ment is  correct.  The  Cooper's  Hawk  feeds  upon  the 
gray  rabbit  (common  cotton-tail)  and  the  mountain 
jack  or  white  rabbit  (Varying  Hare);  squirrels  are  oc- 
casionally killed  and  young  wild  turkeys  also  suffer 
considerably  from  the  attacks  of  this  bird.  Besides 
destroying  poultry  and  game  of  different  kinds  these 
hawks  annually  kill  great  numbers  of  small  wild  birds 
such  as  woodpeckers,  sparrows,  thrushes,  etc. 

The  Cooper's  Hawk  has  been  known  to  kill  and  feed 
upon  the  following  species  of  birds  and  mammals 
which  are  present  in  this  State: 

BIRDS. 

Ruffed   Grouse,  Meadow  Lark, 

Quail,  Screech  Owl, 

Common    Dove,  Flicker, 

Goldfinch.  Red-headed  Woodpecker. 

Robin,  White-breasted   Nuthatch, 

Shore-lark,  Song  Sparrow. 

Tree  Sparrow,  Crow   Blackbird. 

Towhee,  Snowbird, 

Red-winged  Blackbiid,  Field    Sparrow. 

Wild  Turkey,  Savanna  Sparrow, 

Wood  Duck.  Blue   Bird, 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  English   Sparrow. 

MAMMALS. 

Opossum.  Chipmunk, 

Gray  Rabbit,  Red   Squirrel, 

Varying  Hare,  Common  Rat. 

Field   Mice,  Woodchuck    (young). 

The   stomach    contents   of   4.S   Cooper's    Hawks   ex- 
amined by  the  writer  gave  the  following  result:   18, 
cliickcTis    ,inil    plii'iisanls;    12.    small   birds — sparrows; 
11*  ir 


170 

warblers,  meadow  larks,  woodpeckers,  thriishes;  .'i. 
quail;  2,  doves  or  domestic  pij^eons;  1,  bullfrog;  :{. 
mice,  rats  jind  insects;  1,  opossum;  1.  young  wood- 
chuck  and  remains  of  wood  duck;  2,  hair  and  otlu'i' 
remains  of  .small  quadrupeds. 

.AT  LEAST   ONE  GOOD  TRAIT. 

The  Coo|>er's  TTawk.  sometimes  lik<'  tlip  Sharp- 
shinned  species,  visits  vards  and  pnrks  in  towns  and 
vilhiges  in  (piest  of  the  English  Sparrow .  a  bird  which 
lias  by  reason  of  its  pugnacious  habits  driven  many  of 
our  native  and  beneficial  song  birds  fi-om  the  habita- 
tifuis  of  man. 


N    GOSHAWK 


171 


GOSHAWK. 

Accipiter  atricapillus. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult.— Above  dark  lead  color,  with  blackish  shaft  streaks; 
top  of  head  black;  white  stripe  over  eye,  and  more  or  less 
indistinct  about  occiput  (back  of  head);  tail  has  four  or  ftve 
indistinct  blackish  bars;  ends  of  tail  feathers  whitish;  lower 
parts  pale  ashy  white,  with  a  faint  leaden  tint,  sharply 
streaked  with  blackish  and  finely  mottled  or  barred  with  white. 
Iris,  reddish  amber. 

Immature. — Dark  bruwn  or  grayish  above,  the  feathers 
edged  and  spotted  with  whitish  and  pale  reddish-brown; 
lower  parts  yellowish-white  and  marked  with  blackish  spots 
ur    narrow    stripes.      Iris    yellowish. 

Length  about  25  inches;  extent,  about  46;  tail  about  V2Vz- 
Tho    male    is    smaller. 

Habitat. —  Xorthern  and  eastern  North  America,  breeding 
moslly  north  of  the  United  States.  Resident  in  a  few  of  the 
higher  and  wonded  mountainous  regions  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  Goshawk  is  not  common  in  this  State.  Usually 
this  fierce,  powerful  and  predatory  bird  confines  him- 
self to  the  mountainous  and  heavily  wooded  regions. 
It  is  rather  exceptional  for  these  birds  to  be  found  in 
the  populous  farming  districts  and  when  they  are  seen 
in  such  places  it  is  generally  during  severe  winters, 
when  their  favorite  mountain  retreats  are  visited  by 
heavy  falls  of  snow. 

Hunters  and  woodsmen  know  the  adults  of  this  spo- 
ries  by  the  name  of  "Big  Blue  Hawk."  Audubon 
found  the  Goshawk  breeding  in  the  Great  Pine  Swamp 
in  this  State. 

Some  twenty-five  year.s  ago  these  hawks,  it  is  said, 
were  veiy  frequently  seen  during  all  seasons  in  the 
(counties  of  Cameron,  Warren,  Elk.  Potter,  Wyoming. 
Forest.  McKean.  and  Sullivan,  where  they  then,  no 
doubt,  bred  regularly.  Mr.  ^T.  M.  Larraltec.  of  Km 
poiiuiii.   ('anicioii    coutity,    says    lie   always   saw   Gos- 


172 

hawks  about  the  ncslinj;  phiccs  o-f  wild  |)igeons,  but 
wheu  the  pigeous  left  his  localil^'  these  hawks  also  de- 
parted, and  are  uuw  seeu  there  chietly  as  winter  visit- 
ors. 

BREEDS  IN  SULLIVAN  COUNTY. 

Tlie  Goshawk  is  a  regular  breeder  on  North  moun- 
tain, Sullivan  county.  Pa.  I  have  seen  birds  of  this 
species  in  Clintc-n  and  Centre  counties  of  this  State  in 
June  and  July,  hence  am  inclined  to  think  they  may 
also  breed  in  these  counties.  ]\ressrs.  Otto  and  Her- 
man Behr  of  Lopez.  I'a..  liave  found,  during  the  last 
five  or  six  years,  several  nests  of  these  hawks  on  North 
mountain.  ^^Mthin  a  radius  of  four  or  five  miles  of 
their  home  at  least  three  or  four  pairs  of  these  birds 
have  bred  regularly  for  many  years. 

In  the  latter  part  of '  May,  189G,  Mr.  Herman 
Behr  found  the  nest  of  a  Goshawk  about  three  miles 
from  his  home;  it  contained  three  young  birds.  The 
nest  was  a  very  bulky  structure,  probably  not  less 
than  three  feet  high  by  three  feet  in  diameter,  and 
made  up  almost  entirely  of  sticks.  It  was  built  on  a 
large  beech  tree. 

During  the  present  year  (1897)  the  Messrs.  Behr  in- 
form me  they  have  found  the  nest  of  a  Goshawk  and 
secured  the  eggs. 

GOSHAWKS   AND   WILD    PIGEONS. 

Mr.  Behr  informs  me  that  some  thirty-five  years  ago 
there  was  a  wild  pigeon  roost  or  breeding  ground  fully 
seven  miles  square,  on  North  mo-untain,  which  was  an 
nually  resorted  to  by  these  birds  every  spring.  On 
one  occasion  Mr  Behr  counted  forty-six  pigeons'  nests 
on  a  single  beech  tree.  ^\\\^\  pigeons,  until  within  the 
last  three  years,  bred  regularly  in  small  numbers   on 


AMERICAN    GOSHAWK    (YOUNG) 


173 

Xoi'lL  mountain.  The  last  wild  pij^eon  observed 
in  that  rej^ion  hy  Messrs.  Otto  and  Herman  Behr  was 
taken  in  the  spring  of  1893.  The  Govshawk,  also  the 
C'ooper's  and  Sharp  shinned  species,  in  common  with 
llie  Great  Horned  and  Barred  owls,  destroyed  great 
numbers  of  pigeons.  Of  all  these  raptorial  birds  the 
cruel,  daring  and  blood-thirsty  GoshaAvk  was  by  far 
the  most  persistent  and  deslrnctive  enemy  to  the 
pigeons. 

The  owls,  like  other  nocturnal  mafauders,  such  as 
the  wild  cat  or  bay  lynx,  the  red  fox,  the  mink  and 
agile  weasel,  all  ])reyed  upon  the  pigeons.  The  wea- 
sels wonM  frequently  climb  the  tree  to  get  the  pigeons' 
eggs  and  young,  or  often  to  capture  the  old  birds  when 
at  rest.  ^The  other  mammals  previously  mentioned 
depended  mostly  on  catching  squabs  which  fell  from 
the  nests. 

WHAT  GOSHAWKS  PREY  UPON. 

The  Goshawk  feeds  upon  chickens,  turkeys,  ducks, 
grouse,  quail,  robins,  hares  and  squirrels  and  other 
small  rodents.  Although  at  times  this  bird  is  very 
destructive  to  poultry  the  greatest  damage  done  by 
this  species  in  the  State  appears  to  be  to  game,  especi 
ally  gi-ouse. 

The  following  paragraphs  concerning  this  daring 
and  destructive  hawk  are  taken  from  Dr.  A.  K.  Fish- 
er's Report,  Bulletin  No.  3: 

"This  species  is  one  of  the  most  daring  of  all  the  hawks, 
and  while  in  niirsuit  of  lis  prey  is  apparently  less  concerned 
by  the  presence  of  man  than  any  other.  It  will  dart  down 
unexpectedly  at  the  very  feet  of  the  farmer  and  carry  off  a 
fowl." 

The  following  from  the  pen  of  the  late  Dr.  William 
Wood  u:ives  evidence  of  its  boldness; 


174 


THE  DESTRUCTION  OF  POULTRY. 

"The  Goshawk  is  one  of  the  most  daring  and  venturesome- 
of  any  of  our  diurnal  birds  of  prey.  A  farmer  who  resides  a 
few  miles  from  my  office,  wishing  to  perpetuate  the  old  New 
England  custom  ot  having  a  chicken  pie  for  Thanksgiving 
dinner,  caught  some  fowls,  took  them  to  a  log,  severed  the 
neck  of  one,  and  threw  it  down  beside  him.  In  an  instant  the 
Goshawk  seized  the  struggling  fowl,  and,  flying  off  some  ten 
rods,  alighted  and  commenced  devouring  his  prey.  The  bold- 
ness of  the  attack  so  astonished  the  farmer  that  he  looked 
on  with  blank  amazement.  Recovering  from  his  surprise, 
he  hastened  into  the  house  and  brought  out  his  gun,  which 
secured  him  both  the  hawK  and  the  fowl.  Another  instance 
of  still  greater  daring  occurred  near  East  Windsor  Hill,  Con- 
necticut. A  Goshawk  flew  after  a  fowl  near  a  dwelling  house; 
the  door  being  open,  the  hen  flew  inside;  the  liawk  followed, 
and  seized  her  in 'the  room  occupied  by  an  old  gentleman  and 
his  daughter.  The  old  man  hastened  to  the  rescue,  and  struck 
the  hawk  with  a  cane  before  it  released  its  grasp.  The 
daughter  caught  the  hawk  as  it  attempted  to  fly  out  of  the 
door,    and    killed   it."     (Amer.   Nat.   Vol.    X,    1876,    p.    134.) 

Capt.  Charles  E.  Bendire  informed  the  writer  that  at  Fort 
Klamath,  Oregon,  he  once  shot  at  a  Goshawk  and  slightly 
wounded  it  with  fine  shot,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  minutes 
it  returned  and  attacked  a  chicken.  Numerous  cases  are  on 
record  where  it  has  flown  through  windows  to  attack  canaries 
or  other  cage   birds. 

AN  ENEMY  OF  THE  WILD  FOWL. 

"In  the  general  character  of  its  flight,  as  well  as  the  mode 
of  hunting  and  capturing  its  prey,  it  closely  resembles 
Cooper's  Hawk,  though  it  frequents  the  thick  woods  rather 
more  than  the  latter  bird.  In  the  fall  this  hawk  is  common 
along  the  smaller  water  courses  where  it  is  very  destructive 
to  wild  ducks  and  other  water  fowl,  and  is  able  to  strike 
down  a  bird  as  large  as  a  full  grown  mallard.  If  its  prey  is 
a  bird  of  this  size  it  rarely  eats  more  than  the  flesh  from  the 
breast,  leaving  the  rest  of  the  carcass  untouched.  Scorning 
to  feed  upon  carrion,  another  victim  is  secured  when  hunger 
returns. 

A  SUCCESSFUL  GROUSE  HUNTER. 

"Of  the  upland  game  birds  the  Ptarmigan  in  the  north  and 
the  Ruffed  Grouse  in  the  middle  districts  suffer  severely 
from  the  attacks  of  this  powerful  hawk.  Dr.  William  H. 
Dall,  who  found  it  common  in  the  valley  of  the  Yukon  river, 
states  that  it  feeds  largely  upon  the  White  Ptarmigan,  the 
flocks  of  which  it  follows  from  place  to  place.  E.  W.  Nelson 
and  L.  M.  Turner  both  corroborate  its  destructiveness  among 
these  birds.  In  some  parts  of  the  country  the  Goshawk  hunts 
the  Ruffed  Grouse  so  persistently  that  it  is  known  by  the 
name  of  "Partridge  Hawk,"  and  this  bird  probably  has  no 
worse  enemy  except  man.  As  Audubon  was  passing  down  the 
Ohio  he  observed   one  of  these   hawks     dive   Into  a   flock   of 


175 

grackles  which  was  crossing  the  river,  and  liill  four  or  five  of 
thera.  After  giving  each  victim  a  fatal  squeeze  the  hawk  al- 
lowed it  to  tall  in  the  water,  and  at  the  close  of  the  chase  re- 
turned   and    picked    all    from    the    surface.  " 

The  fierce  nature  of  this  species  is  well  shown  in  the 
concluding  paragraphs  from  the  pen  of  my  friend,  L. 
M.  Turner:* 

PTARMIGANS  ARE  EASY  PREY. 

"The  tracts  preferred  by  the  Goshawk  are  the  narrow  val- 
leys, borders  of  streams  and  the  open  tundra,  which  it  con- 
stantly scans  for  Ptarmigan  and  small  mammals;  the 
I^emming  forming  a  considerable  portion  of  its  food.  It  wi.l 
sit  for  hours  in  some  secluded  spot,  awaiting  a  Ptarmigan 
to  raise  its  wings.  No  sooner  does  its  prey  rise  a  few  feet 
from  the  earth  than  with  a  few  rapid  strokes  of  the  wing 
and  a  short  sail,  the  Goshawk  is  brought  within  seizing  dis- 
tance! it  pounces  upon  the  bird,  grasping  it  with  both  feet 
under  the  wings,  and  after  giving  it  a  few  blows  on  the  head 
they  both  fall  to  the  ground,  often  tumbling  several  feet 
before  they  stop,  the  hawk  not  relinquishing  its  hold  during 
the  time.  During  the  mating  season  of  the  Ptarmigans  many 
males  suffer  death  while  striving  to  gain  the  affection  of  the 
female,  for  as  he  launches  high  in  the  air,  rattling  his  hoarse 
note  of  defiance  to  any  other  male  of  its  kind  in  the  vicinity, 
the  Goshawk  darts  from  a  patch  of  alders  or  willows,  or 
from  the  e^ge  of  the  neighboring  bluff,  and  with  a.  dash  they 
come  to  the  ground,  often  within  a  few  yards  of  the  terror- 
stricken  female,  who  now  seeks  safety  in  flight  as  distant  as 
her  wings  will  carry  her.  I  have  seen  this  hawk  sail  without 
a  quiver  of  its  pinions  until  within  seizing  distance  of  its 
quarry,  and  suddenly  throw  its  wings  back,  when  with  a 
crash  they  came  together,  and  all  the  vicinity  was  filled  with 
white  feathers,  floating  peacefully  through  the  air.  I  secured 
both  birds,  and  found  the  entire  side  of  the  Ptarmigan  ripped 
open. 

On  another  occasion  I  shot  a  fine  individual  as  it  rose  from 
a  small  clump  of  willows,  to  which  I  had  approached  un- 
observed by  the  bird.  It  had  been  devouring  a  Ptarmigan, 
which  it  had  secured  but  a  little  while  before.  The  flesh  of 
the  bird  was  yet  warm,  though  nearly  all  devoured.  The 
Goshawk  was  only  wing-tipped  with  shot  and  proved  to  be 
quite  vicious,  seizing  my  boot  with  its  talons  and  striving  to 
grasp  my  hand  with  its  beak.  The  bird  was  so  quick  that  I 
had  to  call  the  assistance  of  a  native  to  detach  the  claws 
from  my  clothing.  Upon  skinning  the  bird  I  found  its  crop 
to  be  full  of  the  flesh  of  the  bird  it  was  eating  when  I  flushed 

♦Contributions  to  the  Natural  History  of  Alaska,  results  of 
Investigations  made  chiefly  in  the  Yukon  district  and  the 
Aleutian  Islands;  conducted  under  auspices  of  the  United 
States  Signal  Service,  extending  from  May,  1874,  to  August, 
1881,    by   L.    M.   Turner. 


176 

it.  I  am  under  the  impresF,ion  that  the  Goshawk  is  not  able 
to  fly  with  the  weight  of  the  Ptarmigan  in  its  claws.  It  is 
a  resident  of  the  int'^'-lor  and  comes  to  the  coast  quite  early 
in   spring." 

The  Goshawk  can  fly  readily  with  an  adult  Ruffed 
Grouse  or  Pheasant  in  its  grasp.  Last  November,  one 
of  my  friends  when  hunting  grouse,  saw  a  large  bird 
fly  with  great  rapidity  from  a  clump  of  shrubbery 
where  he  had  gone  to  look  for  a  Pheasant  which  he 
had  a  few  minutes  before  flushed.  He  shot  and  killed 
the  bird,  which  proved  to  be  an  adult  female  Goshawk 
and  on  going  to  pick  it  up  he  was  surprised  to  find  it 
had  in  its  claws  a  Pheasant. 


RED     TAILED     HAWK 


177 


KED  TAILED  HAWK. 
Buteo  borealis. 

DESCRIPTION. 

The  adult  is  easily  i-ecognized  by  its  I'ed  tail.  The  tails  of 
young  birds  are  usually  ashy-brown,  with  about  ten  darker 
bands.  Tail  in  both  old  and  young  is  generally  tipped  with 
white.  Breast  of  adult  mostly  spotted  or  marked  with  reddish 
brown;  in  the  young,  breast  is  pure  white  enclosed  by 
numerous  dark  markings.  Length  of  male,  19  to  22  inches; 
extent  of  wings,  41  to  47  inches.  Female,  length,  22  to  24 
inches;  extent,  51  to  55  inches.  From  a  careful  examination  of 
over  one  hundred  of  these  hawks,  I  have  found  that  they, 
like  other  of  the  raptores,  not  only  vary  greatly  in  the  mark- 
ings of  their  plumage,  but  also  show  marked  differences  in 
the  color  of  the  irides.  The  iris  of  the  adult,  though  usually 
brown,  is  sometimes  both  ))rown  and  yellowish.  In  immature 
birds  the  iris  is  commonly  straw  color,  but  sometimes  it  is 
nearly  white,  and  occasionally,  though  rarely,  is  brown;  in 
other  specimens  I  have  seen  one-half  of  the  iris  brown  while 
the   remainder   would    be    white   or   yellowish. 

In  immature  birds,  light-colored  irides  with  specks  of  brown 
are  frequent. 

B'abitat. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  great  plains. 
Common  and   breeds   generally    throughout    Pennsylvania. 

This  hawk,  one  of  the  most  abundaut  of  our  i-aptorial 
birds,  is  the  hirge  ''Hen  Hawk"  of  the  farmer.  The 
Ked-tailed  Hawk  is  exceedingly  shy  and  wary,  and  is 
laken  with  difficulty,  unless  approached  on  horse-back 
or  in  a  sleigh  or  wagon.  Red-tailed  Hawks  in  their 
fall  migrations  are  gregarious.  One  clear,  cold  au- 
tumn afternoon  in  187G,  I  saw,  near  West  Chester,  a 
tlock  of  these  hawks.  The  sky  was  destitute  of  clouds, 
except  a  cumulus  stratum  directly  beneath,  and  ap- 
I)arently  about  half-way  between  the  hawks  and  the 
earth.  In  the  center  of  this  vapor  was  an  opening  of 
sufficient  size  to  enable  me  to  watch  the  gyrations  of 
the  birds;  two  of  them  suddenly  separated  from  the 
main  body,  api)roched  each  other  screaming,  and  ap- 
parently in  great  rage.  They  descended  screaming, 
12-TT 


178 

;iii<l,  (o  all  appcaiaMccs,  clinched,  to  wilhiii  about  one 
liiiiidicd  vaids  of  the  earth,  when  they  parted.  Evi 
deutlj  neithei-  hi  id  iiad  leceived  uuich  injury,  as  they 
both,  after  takinjj:  short  Hights  across  the  meadow, 
ascended  in  co-nipany  with  two  or  three  of  their  com- 
panions that  had  accompanied  them  part  way  down 
to  main  body.  Another  individual  closed  his 
wings  until  the  body  presented  a  triangular  outline, 
descended  with  almost  lightning-like  rapidity  to  the 
top  of  a  sycamore,  where  it  alighted,  and  remained 
for  some  seconds  pluniing  itself.  This  party  of  hawks, 
Eifter  performing  for  nearly  twenty  minutes  these 
and  numerous  other  aerial  antics,  continued  their 
southern  flight. 

THEY  BATTLE  IN   MID-AIR. 

Combats  in  mid-air  are  quite  common  among  Red 
tailed  Hawks.  I  have  repeatedly  witnessed  such  bat- 
tles, and  am  fully  convinced  that  in  the  great  majority 
of  cases  food  is  the  incentive  to  such  action.  Illustra- 
tive of  the  superior  vision  of  this  hawk — and  the  same 
applies  to  other  of  the  Rapacia — the  following  is  given, 
as  observed  by  the  writer:  A  clear  morning  early  in 
March,  I  saw  a  Red-tail  circling  over  the  meadows; 
(.very  circle  took  him  higher  and  higher  in  the  air, 
until,  at  an  altitude  where  he  appeared  no  larger  than 
a  blackbird,  he  stopped,  and  with  nearly  closed  wings, 
descended  like  an  arrow  to  a  tree  near  by  me;  from 
this  perch,  almost  the  same  instant  he  had  alighted, 
he  flew  to  the  ground  and  snatched  from  its  grassy 
covert  a  mouse.  The  momentum  with  which  this  bird 
passed  through  the  atmosphere  produced  a  sound  not 
verv  unlike  that  of  the  rush  of  distant  water. 


179 

HANDLE  A   WOUNDED   HAWK   CAREFULLY. 

This  species  when  woiiuded,  like  all  other  rapacious 
birds,  will  defend  itself  with  its  claws  and  bill  against 
all  advances.  A  stick  or  gun  barrel  presented  to  it, 
when  crippled,  will  be  grasped,  and  the  bird  can  be 
carried  pendant  from  the  same  a  considerable  distance 
before  it  will  loose  its  hold.  With  such  tenacity  do 
they  hold  on  that  a  friend  of  mine  who  had  winged 
one,  in  his  endeavors  1o  capture  it  alive,  had  the  bird 
to  fasten  on  his  forearm  with  both  claws;  to  relieve 
himself  he  was  obliged  to  take  out  his  penknife  and 
sever  Ihe  tendons  of  both  legs. 

WHEN  RED-TAILS  WERE  ABUNDANT. 

Fifteen  years  ago  birds  of  the  genus  Buteo,  especi- 
ally the  Red-tailed  and  Red-shouldered  species,  and  the 
Rough-legged  Hawk,  likewise  the  handsome  little  Spar 
row  Hawk,  were  very  numerous  about  the  fields  and 
grassy  meadow  lands  in  most  of  the  farming  districts 
of  this  State.  The  passage  of  the  Scalp  act  of  1885 
stimulated  many  persons  to  make  a  regular  business 
of  slaughtering  these  hawks,  as  well  as  other  animals, 
and  as  a  result  thousands  were  killed  during  the  ac- 
.tive  enforcement  of  the  unwise  law.  In  the  winter  of 
1884  I  took  a  drive  along  the  Brandywine  creek,  and, 
in  a  distance  of  two  miles  above  Chadd's  Ford,  Dela- 
ware county,  saw  five  Rough-legged  Hawks,  nine  Red 
tailed,  four  Red-shouldered,  and  three  Sparrow  Hawks, 
or  twenly-one  in  all.  Several  times,  in  winter,  since 
1885,  I  have  driven  over  the  same  route  and  at  no 
time  have  I  seen  more  than  two  or  three  of  these  spe- 
cies, and  generally  the  birds  that  were  observed  on 
these  last  trips  were  Sparrow  Hawks. 

The  meadows  along  the  Brandywine,  in  the  locality 


180 

noted  ahovo,  are  favorite  feeding  grounds  for  birds  of 
piey  wliicli  subsist  on  meadow-mice. 

MICE   Dl<:S'riiOVK])   T1IJ-:   (JKAPE    vinjos. 

The  experience  of  a  farmer,  Mr,  Worth,  who  rt; 
sided  along  the  Brandywine  a  few  miles  above  the 
place  last  referred  to,  shows  the  utter  folly  of  destroj'- 
ing  the  mice-eating  hawks  and  owls. 

Many  birds  and  mammals  are,  at  times,  destroyed 
with  the  consent  of  the  farmer,  who  evidently  does 
not  realize  that  they  come  to  his  premises  to  prey  upon 
insidious  foes  which  attack  his  crops.  In  this  con- 
nection it  will  not,  perhaps,  be  out  of  jjlace  to  i;ive  the 
experience  of  Ebenezer  Worth,  a  farmer  who  resided 
in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  along  the  TJrandy- 
wine  creek,  a  few  miles  from  West  Chester,  where  he 
owned  a  large  vineyard. 

The  fields  and  meadow  lands  about  his  grape  vines 
were  frequented  in  the  winter  season  by  hawks  and 
owls  of  different  kinds.  During  the  winter  of  188(5 
and  1887  over  a  hundred  of  these  birds  were  killed 
within  a  radius  of  two  miles  of  his  farm,  and  the  fol- 
lowing winter  a  hawk  or  owl  was  seldom  seen  about 
his  premises.  Field  or  meadow  mice  became  abund- 
ant in  that  vicinity  and  before  the  winter  was  over 
several  hundred  grape  vines  were  destroyed  by  these 
little  rodents.  Mr.  Worth  was  convinced  that  the^ 
birds  of  prey  had  kept  in  check,  during  former  years, 
the  mice,  and  had  the  hawks  and  owls  that  had  so 
faithfully  guarded  his  possessions,  both  by  day  and 
night,  been  left  unmolested  his  vineyard  would  not,  in 
his  opinion,  have  been  almost  ruined. 

For  generations  the  game-keepers  of  Great  Britain 
have  persistently  destroyed  the  biids  o^f  prey,  and  as  a 


181 

result   we  read"  of  great  iuvasions  of  voles  (meadov^ 
mice)  which  ruiu  a  vast  amount  of  property. 

If  the  persecution  of  the  hawk  and  owl  tribe  in  this 
country  is  not  checked,  we  may  expect  sucn  ruinous 
invasions  of  these  sleek-co^ited  rodents. 

THE   NEST  AND  EGGS. 

Nest  building  generally  occurs  in  March  and  lasts 
from  eight  to  fifteen  days.  The  nest  is  built  in  the 
woods,  commonly  on  a  large  oak  or  hickory  tree.  A 
pair  of  these  hawks  resorted  for  five  consecutive  years 
to  a  large  oak  tree  for  nesting  purposes,  in  a  belt  of 
timber  adjacent  to  the  far-famed  Deborah's  Rock, 
East  Bradford  township.  The  nest,  a  rather  bulky 
structure,  is  made,  externally,  of  sticks  and  twigs, 
some  of  the  former  being  an  inch  in  thickness;  inter- 
nally, it  is  lined  with  leaves  and  the  inner  layer  of 
bark — usually  from  oak  and  chestnut  trees.  This 
lining  of  bark  is  frequently  torn  in  shreds. 

Certain  ornithologists,  Audubon  among  the  number, 
have  found  five  eggs  in  their  nests.  I  have,  however, 
mostly  found  two,  and  on  no  occasion  have  I  found 
more  than  three  to  constitute  tlie  full  complement. 

The  eggs,  about  2.40  by  1.85  inches,  vary  much  in 
their  markings.  Their  ground  color  is  a  dull  white  or 
rusty  white,  marked  with  minute  brown  spots,  or  with 
large  purplish  dark-brown  blotches,  often  covering  the 
greater  part  of  the  egg.  Incubation  lasts  about  three 
weeks.  Certain  writers  claim  that  this  species  will 
boldly  defend  invasion  o-f  its  home  on  the  part  of  man. 
Such  may  have  been  the  experience  of  otliers,  but  such 
statement  is  the  reverse  of  my  experience.  T  have 
taken  both  eggs  and  young,  and,  as  yet.  I  have  en 
countered  no  opposition;  but  have  found  them  coward- 
ly, flying  away,  in  fact,  beyond  gunshot  at  my  ap- 


182 

{)roach,  uttering  cries  of  distress,  and  seerainj^ly  to  en- 
gage in  mutual  condolence  over  their  misfortune. 

HOW   THEY   CATCH   SQUIRREI^S. 

During  the  breeding  season  they  frequently  hunt  to- 
gether for  food  for  themselves  and  young  "and  if,  per- 
chance, they  spy  a  squirrel  on  a  tree,  one  will  drive  it 
while  the  other  poises  itself  ready  to  seize  it  if  it 
dodges  to  the  other  side  to  evade  the  grasp  of  the  first 
liawk.  From  the  two  there  is  no  escape.  Grasping 
it  firmly  by  the  neck,  the  assailant  practically  demon- 
strates the  possibility  of  garroting  its  victim,  when  the 
ill-fated  squin-el  is  carried  to  the  eyrie  and  torn  to 
|)ieces  to  satiate  the  cravings  of  their  rapacious 
young." — AVood. 

WILL  TAKE  CHICKENS. 

Red-tailed  hawks,  when  mice  or  other  food  supplies 
are  not  readily  obtainable,  unquestionably  will  catch 
poultry,  and  they  do  not,  at  such  times,  hesitate  to  at- 
tack full  grown  fowls.  It  may  be  that  they  prefer  to 
make  warfare  on  sick  or  weakly  chickens,  but,  of  this 
T  am  not  convinced,  as  I  have  known  of  a  number  of 
instances  where  these  hawks  have  attacked  and  killed 
chickens  in  full  vigor  of  life.  Observations  of  this 
bird,  however,  lead  me  to  believe,  that  except  in  win 
ter  when  its  preferred  and  natural  bill  of  fare — mice, 
shrews  and  insects — are  liard  to  obtain,  or,  in  the 
breeding  period,  when  its  young  require  so  mucli  focMl. 
it  is  rather  exceptional  for  the  Ked-tailed  to  attack  do 
mestic  fowls.  A  good  many  rabbits  and  squirrels  are 
eaten  by  the  Red-tail,  yet  the  farmer  should  not  com 
plain  as  tiiese  mammals  are  no  benefit  to  liim. 


183 


RED-TAILS   ARE   GOOD    MOUSERS. 

In  consequence  of  limited  space  it  is  im])racticable 
to  jrive  in  detail  the  results  of  dissections  which  I  have 
made  of  this  species,  but  would  state  briefly  that  my 
examinations  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-three  Red- 
tails  captured  in  Pennsylvania,  chiefly  in  Chester 
county,  revealed,  in  one  liundred  and  twenty-eight, 
principally  field-mice  (Arvtcolce)  and  other  small  quad- 
rupeds, also  some  few  small  birds;  in  nine  of  these  one 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  hawks,  small  birds  were 
present  in  addition  to  the  quadrupeds.  Fourteen  had 
fed  on  chickens;  six,  small  birds — meadow  larks  and 
sparrows;  six,  rabbits;  three,  quail;  three,  red  squir- 
rels; three,  mice  and  insects;  three,  snakes;  two,  re- 
mains of  skunk;  two.  carrion;  one,  ham  skin;  one, 
meat,  probably  Ix-cf.  T  have  repeatedly  fi)und  three 
and  four  mice  in  tlic  viscera  of  one  bird,  oftentimes 
five,  and  in  a  few  insfjinces  as  manv  as  seven  of  these 
destructive  little  rodents  were  oblaine<l  from  the  crop 
;in(i  stomacli  of  one  Imwk. 


184 


RED  SHOULDERED  HAWK. 
Buteo  lineatus. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Total  length:  Female,  21  to  23  inches;  extent  about  44  inches; 
wing  14;  tail  9  inches.  Male  18  to  20  inches;  extent  about  40 
inchfs.   wing-,   12;  tail,   S  inches. 

u4.dwZ<. -Shoulders  rich  reddish-brown;  rest  of  upper  parts 
blackish,  spotted  with  reddish-brown,  white  and  dusky;  pri- 
maries blackish  above  and  spotted  with  white;  tail  with 
three  or  four  broad  black  bars,  Ijetween  which  are  narrow 
white  bands:  tip  of  tail  whitish;  under  parts  reddish-brown 
more  or  less  stitakcd  with  dusky  and  barred  with  white. 

Immature. — The  upper  parts  brownish,  varied  with  rusty 
and  whilifh.  The  shoulders  in  many  specimens  show  con- 
siderable red,  tail  brownish  white  with  several  small  blackish 
bars,  lower  parts  white  and  yellowish-white,  with  stripes 
and   lai-go  oblong  spots  of  brown. 

Habitat. -F.&stern  North  America,  west  to  Texas  and  the 
plains,  south  to  the  Gulf  coast  and  Mexico.  Tolerably  common 
summer  resident  in  mountainous  districts  of  Pennsylvania. 

Like  the  preceding  species  this  bird  is  known  to 
farmers  and  sportsmen  as  "Hen-hawk."  During  the 
summer  season  Red-shouldered  liawks  are  quite  plen- 
tiful in  many  of  the  mountains  and  wooded  regions  of 
the  State. 

In  Avinter  these  hawks  frequent  principally  the  large 
water  courses,  meadow  lands,  and  the  vicinity  of 
ponds,  and  not  unfrequently  an  individual  of  this  spe- 
cies can  be  observed  on  its  perch  overlooking  a  spring- 
head. When  the  streams  and  meadows  are  frozen  I 
have  noticed  that  they  especially  resort  to  such  lo^ 
calities  as  last  named.  When  disturbed  from  its 
perch  it  utters,  in  a  plaintive  and  impatient  voice,  the 
note  keeo,  keeo.  Tts  tlight,  genernlly  short,  is  graceful 
and  very  owl  like. 

This  Hawk,  like  its  relative,  the  R<-d-tnil.  may  be  ob 
served  sifting  by  the  hour  on  some  favorite  tree  or 
stake  adjacent  to  swampy  or  boggy  ground,  watching 


RED    SHOULDERED   HAWK 


RED    SHOULDERED  HAWK. (YOUNG) 


185 

for  small  (jiukIi  iijmmIs  and  liaci  racliiaiis,  wliieli  consli- 
lute  its  principal  fare.  Vonng  birds,  which  arc 
known  to  many  as  Winler  Falcons,  are,  according  to 
my  experience,  much  inorc  fi-equi^ntly  met  with  than 
full  plumaged  adults. 

THE   NEST  AND   EGGS. 

Like  other  birds  of  this  genus,  the  Red-shouldered 
Hawk  nests  in  trees,  usually  in  April  and  May  in  this 
locality.  The  eggs,  two  lo  four  in  number,  are  very 
similar  to  those  of  the  Red-tail,  but  smaller. 

"The  rust  cl(.<se)y  resembles  that  of  the  crow,  except  that  it 
is  larger  and  lacks  the  compact  and  neat  appearance  common 
to  the  nc-^t  of  tie  latter  bird.  It  is  composed  of  coarse 
sticks  loosely  placed  together  with  finer  ones  toward  the  cen- 
tral cavity,  which  is  lined  with  the  bark  of  the  grape  vine  and 
ether  fibres,  or,  in  sr  nx.  cases,  with  pieces  of  the  rougii  outer 
bark  of  the  oak  and  hickory,  and  not  uncommonly,  as  with 
many  of  the  other  bird.s  of  prey,  green  twigs  with  leav3s  at- 
tached  are   used. 

"Bottom  landp  grown  up  with  large  deciduous  trees,  or  the 
neighboring  hillsides,  are  the  favorite  nesting  sites  of  this 
bird.  The  nest  in  placed  in  one  of  the  larger  trees  40  to  SO 
feet  from  the  ground,  and  usually  in  the  fork  where  the  main 
branches  diverge  from  the  trunk.  A  pair  will  inhabit  the 
same  locality  for  years,  and  often  occupy  a  nest  for  several 
seasons.  =■'•  *  *  It  is  stated  that  this  species  -.vmains 
mated  through  life,  and  that  even  during  the  winter  months 
mates  appear  very  much  attached  to  each  other,  differing  in 
this  respect   from   the   Red-tail." — Fisher. 

DOES    NOT    PREY    ON    CHICKENS. 

Although  this  hawk  is  frequently  charged  with  de- 
stroying domestic  fowls,  observation  in  the  field  and 
numerous  dissections  of  food-receptacles  of  this  spe- 
cies do  not  by  any  means  justify  such  a  statement. 
My  experience  on  this  subject  agrees  in  the  main  with 
that  of  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  who  says: 

"Some  authors  insist  that  the  Red-shouldered  Hawk  is  de- 
structive lo  poultry,  but  the  writer  in  all  his  lield  experience 
has  never  seen  one  attacl-;.  a  fowl,  nor  has  he  found  the  re- 
mains of  one  in  the  stomachs  of  those  examined.  In  making 
this  statement,  he-  does  nut  include  poultry   which  is  eaten   in 


186 

the  form  of  offal,  for  in  severe  weather  when  the  ground 
is  coverod  with  snow  and  when  food  is  scarce,  the  Red- 
shouldered  Hawk  will  devour  dead  chickens  which  have  been 
thrown  out  from  the  yard,  as  well  as  other  refuse  found  on 
the  cumpost  heaps  or  in  the  vicinity  of  slaughter  houses. 
At  such  times  the  writer  has  often  captured  specimens  of  this 
hawk,  as  well  as  of  crows,  blue  jays,  red  and  flying  squirrels, 
in  steel  traps  set  near  a  piece  of  chicken,  rabbit  or  beef 
fastened   in   a  tree  " 

EATS  FROGS  AND  INSKCTS. 

Xuttall  rtmarks  that  this  hawk  lives  principally  on 
frogs,  and  probably  insects  and  crawfish  in  the  wintei-. 
Gentry  tells  ss  that  the  food  of  the  young  consists  uf 
fragments  of  quadrupeds,  besides  an  immense  nuuiber 
of  young  grasshoppers  and  beetles.  In  my  examina- 
tions of  fifty-seven  of  these  hawks  which  have  been 
captured  in  I'ennsylvania,  forty-three  showed  field-- 
mice, some  few  other  small  quadrupeds,  grasshoppers 
and  insects,  mostly  beetles;  nine  revealed  frogs  and  in- 
sects; two,  small  birds,  remains  of  small  mammals  and 
a  few  beetles;  two,  snakes  and  portions  of  frogs.  The 
gizzard  of  one  bird  contained  a  few  hairs  of  a  field- 
mouse  and  some  long  black  hair  which  ay)peared  very 
much  like  that  of  a  skunk.  The  bird  on  dissection 
gav<^  a  very  decided  odor  of  skunk.  In  two  of  these 
hawks,  shot  in  Florida.  I  found  in  one  portions  of  a 
small  catfish,  and  in  the  other  remains  of  a  small 
mammal  and  some  few  coleopterous  insects  (beetles). 


BROAD    WINGED     HAWK 


187 


liROA I)  WINGED   HAWK. 

Buteo  latissimus. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  of  femalo  about  17:  extent  about  36;  tail  about  74 
inches. 

Adult— Upper  part  umber  brown  and  many  feathers  edgred 
with  rusty  or  whitish;  tail  crossed  by  three  black  and  two 
white  bands,  and  narrow  white  tip,  lower  parts  white  or 
yellowish-white,  variously  streaked  and  spotted  with  rusty. 
Immature  birds  are  duller  and  have  showy  dark  cheek 
patches;  tail  grayish-brown,  with  white  tips  and  crossed 
with  five  or  six  indistinct  dusky  bands;  lower  parts  similar 
to  adult,  but  paler  and  spotted  or  streaked  with  black  and 
dusky.     Ills   brown;   legs   and   feet  yellow. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  from  New  Brunswick  and 
soulhvi'ard  to  Central  America,  northern  South  America  and 
the  Saskatchewan  region  to  Texas  and  Mexico,  and  thence 
the  West  Indies. 

Of  the  genus  Buteo,  in  this  sectiou,  the  Broad- 
winged  is  the  least  abundant.  It  is  a  native  and  resi- 
dent. The  moTements  in  the  air  of  this  hawk  are  easy 
and  beautifnllj  graceful.  When  in  quest  of  food,  its 
flight  is  in  circles.  At  times,  when  circling,  like  the 
Sparrow  Hawk,  it  will  stand  for  an  instant  beating 
the  air,  and  then  descend  with  great  velocity  upon  its 
prey,  which  it  secures,  not  in  its  descent,  but  as  it  is 
on  the  rise.  I  have  on  more  than  one  occasion  wit 
nessed  this  species  take  aliment  in  the  way  described. 
I  incorporate  it,  notwithstanding  that  it  disagreesi 
with  certain  good  authority. 

THE   NEST  AND   EGGS. 

Nest  building  takes  place  from  the  first  to  the  mid- 
dle of  May.  and  the  four  nests  which  I  have  found 
have  all  been  located  in  high  trees;  three  in  hickory 
trees,  the  other  in  an  oak.  All  of  these  nests  were 
over  fiftv  or  sixtv  feet  from  the  ground.     The  nest  is 


188 

very  similar  to  that  of  the  Cooper's  Hawk;  it  is  made 
of  sticks,  twigs,  leaves,  rootlets,  lined  with  feathers; 
one  I  have  found  lined  with  bark.  The  complement 
of  eggs  are  somewhat  larger  than  those  of  the  Cooper's 
Hawk,  with  a  dull  white,  grayish  ground  color,  with 
brownish  red  spots,  which  vary  in  size  from  specks  to 
large  patches,  frequently  confluent. 

IS  AN  UNSUSPICIOUS   BIKD. 

This  ha\Ak  is  generally  easily  captured,  appearing 
quite  tame  and  unsuspicious.  To  this  fact,  no  doubt, 
is  largely  due  the  scarcity  of  the  species  in  many  sec- 
tions of  our  8tate  where  in  former  times,  or  before 
hawks  were  hunted  for  bounty',  these  birds  were  quite 
plentiful.  I  have  always  found  the  Kroad-winged 
Hawk  to  be  cowardly,  and  never  knew  it  to  evince  any 
disposition  to  repel  an  invasion,  by  man,  of  its  nest. 

It  would  seem,  however,  that  the  disposition  of  this 
bird,  under  certain  circumstances,  is  very  variable. 
Mr.  A.  G.  Boardman,  of  Maine,  who  has  found  several 
nests  and  secured  the  eggs,  finds  it  to  be  courageous 
and  spirited.  A  man  whom  lie  had  employed  to  ob- 
tain a  nest,  was  attacked  with  great  fury,  while  as- 
cending the  tree;  his  cap  was  torn  from  his  head,  and 
he  would  have  been  seriously  injured  if  the  bird  had 
.not  been  shot.  Another  instance  is  mentioned  by  Dr. 
Wood,  where  this  hawk  attacked  a  boy  climbing  to 
her  nest,  fastened  her  talons  in  his  arm,  and  could  not 
be  removed  until  beaten  otf  and  killed  witli  a  club. 
In  speaking  of  this  bird.  Dr.  Wood  says: 

"Seldom,  if  ever,  does  it  seize  its  pi-ey  on  the  wing,  but  se- 
cures it  mostly  on  the  ground,  subsisting  on  frogs,  snakes, 
mice  and  small  birds,  devouring  the  latter  without  removiiii;- 
the  feathers.  This  hawk  in  its  habits  is  not  as  neat  in  prepar- 
ing its  food  as  most  of  its  genus;  holding  its  prey  with  both 
feet,  it  tears  and  eats  without  much  regard  to  cleanliness  or 
feathers." 


189 


FUOD   UF  THE  BROAD- WING. 

Ciiirfiil  iiivfstigations  in  both  field  aud  laboiatorj 
demoustrate  conclusively  that  this  hawk  does  not  dis- 
turb the  farnieis'  poultry  and  that  it  rarely  attacks 
small  wild  birds.  Its  dietary  is  made  up  principally 
of  insects  (different  kinds  of  grasshoppers,  crickets, 
locusts,  beetles  and  larvae)  the  smaller  species  of 
mammals,  reptiles,  and  batrachians.  Occasionally, 
when  other  food  supplies  are  not  readily  obtainable, 
this  hawk  will  catch  yo'ung  or  disabled  birds.  Toads, 
frogs  and  snakes  are  eagerly  hunted  and  eaten  by  this 
species.  Referring  to  its  fondness  for  toads,  frogs, 
snakes  and  injurious  larvae  (grubs),  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher 
says : 

"In  spring,  when  toads  frequent  ponds  to  spawn,  it  devours 
large  numbers  of"  them,  and  later  in  the  season  it  is  not  an 
uncom.mon  occurrence  to  see  an  individual  with  a  frog  or 
snake  dangling  from  its  talons."  Continuing,  the  same 
writer  adds:  "The  only  act  of  the  Broad-winged  Hawk  which 
seems  injurious  to  agriculture  is  the  killing  of  toads  and 
small  snaks;  the  former  of  which  are  exclusively  insect 
eaters,  the  latter  very  largely  so.  In  one  i-espect  its  enormous 
value  rank.s  above  all  other  birds,  and  that  is  in  the  destruc- 
tion of  immense  numbers  of  injurious  larvae  of  large  moths, 
which  most  birds  are  either  unable  or  disinclined  to  cope 
with." 

In  twelve  specimens  examined  by  myself,  four  re- 
vealed mice;  three,  small  birds;  four,  frogs;  one,  killed 
the  22d  of  May,  1882,  was  gorged  with  crawfish,  with 
which  were  traces  of  coleopterous  insects  (beetles). 

WHAT  OTHER  WRITERS  SAY  ABOUT  ITS  FOOD. 

Audubon  says:  "In  the  stomach  of  this  bird  I  found  wood 
frogs,  portions  of  small  snakes,  together  with  feathers,  and 
the  hail-  of  several  small  specimens  of  quadrupeds."  (Ornith. 
Biography.    Vol.   I,    p.   463.) 

Mr.  J.  W.  Preston  says:  "Their  food  consists  .of  small 
squirrels,  frogs,  and,  in  fact,  any  small  quarry  easily  cap- 
tured. Never  have  I  known  them  to  molest  the  poultry." 
(Ornith.  and  Oologist,  Vol.  XIII,  188,  p.  20.) 

Mr.  .7.  G.  Wells,  speaking  of  the  bird  in  the  West  Indies, 
says:    "Numerous;    feeds     on    lizards,      rats,      snakes,      young 


190 

birds,    etc.    and    occasionallv    makes    a    raid      on      the      poultry 
yard."     (Proc.    U.   S.    Nat.   Mus.,   Vol.    IX.   1886,   p.    622.) 

Dr.  F.  W.  Langdon  says:  "The  stomach  of  a  specimen  of  this 
hawk  tal<en  in  Madisonville,  in  April,  1877,  contained  the 
t,'re3ter  part  of  the  ^l<eleton  and  hair  of  a  small  wood  mouse 
(Arvicola  austerus),  a  lizard  (Eumeces)  about  six  inches  long, 
and  ten  or  twelve  small  beetles,  with  numerous  elytra  of  the 
same."     (.Toiirn.  Cincinnati  Soc.   Nat.  Hist.,  Vol.  I,   p.   116.) 


T 


■1^      O^- 


ROUGH    LEGGED    HAWK 


101 


ROUGH  LEGGED  HAWK. 
Archibnteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Adult  male  and  female:  Too  variable  in  plumage  to  be  con- 
cisely described.  In  general  the  whole  plumage  with  dark 
brown  or  blackish  and  light  brown,  gray  or  whitish,  the 
lighter  colors  edging  or  barring  the  individual  feathers;  ten- 
dency to  excess  of  the  whitish  on  the  head,  and  to  the  forma- 
tion of  a  dark  abdominal  zone  or  area,  which  may  or  may  not 
include  the  tibiae:  usually  a  blackish  anteorbital  and  max- 
illary area.  Lining  of  wings  extensively  blackish:  tail  usually 
white  from  the  base  for  some  distance,  then  with  light  and 
dark  barring.  The  inner  webs  of  the  flight  feathers  ex- 
tensively white  from  the  base,  usually  with  little,  if  any,  of 
the  dark  barring  so  prevalent  among  buteonine  hawks.  From 
such  a  light  and  variegated  plumage  as  this,  the  bird  varies 
to  more  or  less  nearly  uniform  blackish,  in  which  case  the  tail 
is  usually  barred  several  times  with  white.  *  *  Length 
of  a  female,  22.00;  extent,  54.00;  wing,  17.50;  tail,  9.0O;  iris  light 
brown;  bill  mostly  blackish-blue;  cere  pale  greenish-yellow; 
feet  dull  yellow;  claws  blue-black.  This  is  about  an  average 
»ize:  the  male  averages  smaller.". — Coues'  Ke\-. 

Habitat.— Whole  of  North  America  north  of  Mexico,  breed- 
ing north  of  the  United  States.  Winter  resident  In  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

In  any  plumage  this  bird  can  easily  be  distinguished 
from  other  of  our  hawks  by  the  tarsus,  which  is  thick- 
ly feathered  in  front  to  the  toes.  I  have  found  the 
Rough-legged  or  Black  Hawk  in  Pennsylvania  only  as 
a  winter  sojourner,  about  the  meadows  and  grass  fields 
along  or  near  large  streams.  In  the  winter  of  1879, 
when  hunting  along  the  Brandy  wine  creek  I  saw  seven 
of  these  hawks  at  one  time,  perched  about  on  trees  in 
a  meadow  of  some  five  acres  in  extent.  In  this  lo- 
cality the  species  is  usually  found  singly  or  in  pairs. 
Rough-legs  generally  migrate  northward  about  th« 
middle  of  March;  T  have,  however,  observed  them  here 
late  in  .\pril. 

"Its  migrations  appear  to  bi^  quite  regular  and  extensive- 
more   so,    perhaps,    than    is   generally   supposed— though    pmb- 


192 

abl>-  it  does  not  differ  from  hawks  in  this  respect.  Birds  of 
this  family  rmist  folUiw  their  proy,  wherever  this  leads  'hem. 
and  only  a  few  of  the  more  powerful  species,  able  to  prey  upon 
hares  and  ptarmlgran,  pass  the  winter  in  our  liighest  latitudes. 
'Phe  lluugh-legged  is  a  rather  northerly  species,  rarely,  if  ever, 
bi-eeding  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  and  becom- 
ing- larer  towards  its  southern  terminus." — Coues. 

AN    ERROR    CORRECTED. 

I  tlcsire  to  correct  here  an  error  which  was  made, 
hut  (liioiigh  no  fault  of  mine,  in  tlie  first  issue  of  the 
I'.irds  of  Pennsylvania,  pp.  !)2 -93,  wlu^re  T  slated,  on 
the  authority  of  jNfr.  Sauuiel  T>.  Ladd,  of  West  Chester, 
Pa.,  that  he  (Mr.  Ladd)  had,  April  5,  188(5,  found  a  nest 
and  two  eggs  of  this  bird  in  a  thick  woods  at  Fite's 
Eddy,  on  the  Susquehanna  river.  A  description  of  the 
nest  and  eggs  was  published  in  my  first  report,  as 
given  to  me  by  Mr.  Ladd,  but  I  have  since  learned  from 
Mr.  Ladd  that  he  did  not  secure  or  (n'en  see  the  hawks, 
hence  I  am  satisfied  that  this  "record"  was  without 
doubt  based  on  erro-neous  identification.  Dr.  C.  H. 
Merriam,  of  ITnited  States  Department  of  Agriculture. 
Washington,  D.  0.,  informs  me  that  he  is  not  aware  of 
a  single  authentic  record  of  the  breeding  of  the  Rough- 
legged  Hawk  anywhere  within  the  limits  of  the  United 
States. 

SUBSISTS    MAINEY    ON    FIEI^D    MU'K. 

in  the  Rough-legged  HaAvk,  we  find  another  exam- 
ple of  one  of  our  larger  feathered  mouse  hunters,  which 
is  often  slandered  by  the  name  of  "hen-hawk." 

Since  the  Scalp  Act  was  in  force,  and  thousands  of 
the  most  beneficial  hawks  were  slain,  this  s])ecies  has 
become,  T  might  say,  almost  a  i-are  visitor  to  marshy 
lands  where  in  former  years,  T  have  found  it  frequently 
quite  phmtifiil.  The  viscera  of  sixteen  of  these  hawks 
which  the  writer  has  examined,  contained  only  field 
mice  and  a  few  other  small  rodeurs.     The  food  table. 


ROUGH    LEGGED    HAWK. (YOUNG) 


193 

given  by  JJr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  of  49  stomachs,  shows  con 
clusively  that  meadow  mice  constitute  nlraost  wholly 
the  food  of  the  species.  Prof.  Samuel  .Vnghey  found 
the  remains  O'f  a  gopher,  a  small  lizard,  and  seventy 
insects  in  the  stomach  of  a  Rough-leg  killed  in  Ne- 
braska, in  September.  1872;  however,  such  food  ma- 
terials accoi'ding  to  most  authorities,  are  .seldom  taken. 
Of  the  49  stomachs  referred  to  by  Dr.  Fisher,  40  con 
tained  mice,  chiefly  meadow  mice;  usually.  2  or  ^  in 
each  stomach,  scauetimes  4  or  5,  and  in  several 
stomachs,  each  contained  6  or  7  of  these  little  animals. 

DESTROYS  ENEMIES  OP  THE  ORCHARD. 

"The  Rough-leg  is  one  of  the  most  nocturnal  of  our  hawks, 
find  may  be  seen  in  the  fading  twilight  watching  from  some 
low  perch,  or  beating  with  measured,  noiseless  flight  over  its 
hunting  ground.  It  follows  two  very  diffor'^'nt  methods  in 
securing  i'.a  food,  one  by  sitting  on  some  stub  or  low  tree 
and  watching  th^'  ground  for  the  appearance  of  its  prey,  as 
tht;  Red-tail  dees-  the  other  by  beating  back  and  forth,  just 
above  the  tops  of  the  grass  or  bushes,  and  dropping  upon  Its 
victim,  after  the  manner  of  the  Marsh  Hawk.  Its  food  con- 
sists principally,  if  not  almost  exclu.iively,  of  the  smaller 
rodents,  and  most  prominent  among  these  are  the  arvicoline 
mice  and  lemmings.  As  is  well  known,  the  meadow  mice 
CArvicolae)  are  widely  distributed  over  the  North  Temperate 
Zone,  and  often  occur  in  immense  numbers,  overrunning  cer- 
tain sections  of  the  country,  and  doing  Irreparable  damage  to 
crops  as  well  as  to  fruit  and   ornamental  trees. 

"Repeatedly  young  orchards,  consisting  of  hundreds  of 
trees,  and  representing  great  money  value,  have  been  totally 
destroyed  by  these  pests.  The  damage  is  done  in  winter, 
under  the  snow,  where  the  mice  eat  the  bark  from  the  trees, 
often   completely  girdling   them    and'  causing   their   death. 

"Usually  meadow  mice  are  fairly  common,  if  not  abundant, 
over  a  lai-ge  part  of  the  meadow  and  marsh  lands  of  the 
central  and  northern  United  States  and  tempeiate  Canada. 
To  show  how  important  meadow  mice  are  to  the  Rough-leg 
as  an  article  of  food,  it  may  be  stated  in  general  terms  that 
the  southern  limit  of  its  wanderings  in  winter  is  nearly  co- 
incident with  the  southern  boundary  of  the  region  inhabited 
by  meadow  mice.  In  the  north  lemmings  are  abundant  over 
the  country  in  which  the  Rough-leg  makes  its  summer  home, 
and  furnish  a  never-failing  supply  of  food  for  old  and  young. 

"The  following  statements  indicate  to  what  extent  the 
Rough-leg  feedr  on  meadow  mice:  "Mr.  E.  O.  Damon,  of 
N'irthamptcn.  Massachusetts.  Informs  the  writer  that  he  has 
killed  hundreds  of  these  hawks  on  the  low  meadows  bordering 
tht=>    Connecticut      riv^r.    and     of     the    many    stomachs     he     ex- 

13-n 


194 

amined  all  contained  the  remains  of  meadow  mice.  He  further 
states  that  ht-  never  found  even  a  frog  in  its  stomach  or  saw 
it  attack  anything  larger  than  a  rat  or  meadow  mouse.  Dr. 
Mlchaner  (in  U.  S.  Agr.  Rept.,  1863,  p.  291),  says  of  the  Rough- 
leg:  ''The  number  of  meadow  mice  which  this  species  destroys 
ought,  one  wculd  think,  to  insure  it  the  protection  of  every 
husbandman."  Dr.  J.  C.  Merrill  states  that  the  stomachs  of 
those  killed  at  Fort  Klamath,  Oregon,  usually  contained  field 
mice.  (Auk.  Vol.  V,  p.  145.)  Mr.  A.  Hall,  writing  of  thi.>^ 
hawk  171  Nebraska,  says;  "This  species  is  very  abundant  in 
wintfu-.  and  subsists  entirely  upon  mice,  frogs  and  small 
rodents.  It  seldom,  if  ever,  preys  upon  birds."  (Forest  and 
Stream,  Vol.  XX,  May  10,  1883,  p.  284.'  )  (Dr.  A.  K.  Fishers 
Report.) 


GOLDEN     EAG  LE  . 


195 


GOLDEN  EAGLE. 

Aqiiila  chrysaetos. 

DESCRIPTIOX. 

Tarsi  di;nsely  feathered  all  around  to  base  of  yellow  toes. 
Length  about  3  feet;  extent  61/2  to  TVo  feet. 

Ad2ilt.—Geneia.l  color  dark  brown;  the  lengthened  pointed 
feathers  of  hind  neck  golden  brown;  feathers  of  tarsi  pale 
yellowish-brown;  tail  blackish  and  grayish. 

Immature — Basal  two-thirds  of  all  tall  white,  with  a  blackish 
terminal  band,  U)wer  parts  much  lighter  than  adult. 

Habitat. — North  America  south  to  Mexico,  and  northern 
parts  of  the  Old  World.     A  winter  resident  in  Pennsylvania. 

This  large  bird  occiiis  in  Pennsylvania  as  a  winter 
visitant.  The  only  species  with  which  it  is  sometimes 
confounded  is  the  Bald  or  White-headed  Eagle  in  im 
mature  plumage.  The  two  species  can  always  be  dis- 
tinguished at  a  single  glance,  if  you  remember  that  the 
Golden  Eagle  has  the  tarsus  densely  feathered  to  the 
toes,  and  the  Bald  Eagle  has  a  bare  tarsus.  One  of 
the  largest  Golden  Eagles  I  ever  saw  was  captured  in 
December,  1889,  by  a  hunter  in  Cameron  county.  This 
bird,  which  was  handsomely  mounted  by  my  friend, 
Mr.  M.  M.  Larrabee,  of  Emporium,  weighed,  ^Ir.  Larra- 
be€i  informed  me,  twenty-five  pounds.  The  species 
breeds  in  high  mountainous  regions  and  the  Arctic 
countries. 

There  is  a  specimen  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  in  the 
Museum  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  College,  captured  a 
few  years  ago  in  Clinton  county,  where  for  several 
days,  when  deep  snow  covered  the  ground,  it  lingered 
about  a  farm  house  and  preyed  upon  chickens  and 
turkeys,  and  when  it  was  shot  it  had  just  swooped 
down  on  a  favorite  pussy  which  spent  movst  of  her  time 
in  a  swampy,  grassy  thicket,  near  the  barnyard,  watch 
iug  for  small  birds  iind  r.iltbits. 


196 

THE  GOLDEN  EAGLE  AS   A   PET. 

The  foUowiug  mention  of  the  peculiarities  of  the 
Golden  Eagle  in  captivily  I  gleaned  from  conversation 
with  Mr,  B.  M.  Everhart,  the  well-known  botanist  of 
West  Chester,  Pa.,  who  for  several  years  kept  one  in 
his  yard.  This  bird,  in  consequence  of  a  gun-shot 
wound  in  the  wing,  was  unable  to  ily  off.  All  the  yard 
situated  to  the  north  and  east  of  the  house  was  known 
as  Nero's  (bird's  name)  domain.  Along  the  walk  lead- 
ing to  my  olllce  was  his  perch,  a  dead  tree  stump  some 
eight  feet  high.  AVhen  satiated  with  food  he  would 
sit  there  for  hours  at  a  time.  If  at  any  time  during 
the  day  a  cat  or  domestic  fowl  happened  to  enter  his 
ground,  it  had  to  make  a  speedy  departure  or  be  killed. 
The  latter  was  mostly  the  case,  for  Nero-  seldom  "went 
for''  anything  without  his  capturing  it.  When  I  ne- 
glected to  give  him  his  daily  allowance  (two  pounds 
meat),  as  was  sometimes  the  case,  he  wandered  about 
the  yard  uttering  a  ventriloquial,  gutteral  sound, 
which  had  the  effect  of  bringing  around  him  birds  and 
chickens.  Occasionally  the  fc^rmer,  and  invariably 
the  latter,  would  be  killed.  Towards  people,  other 
than  myself,  he  displayed  great  animosity,  this  being 
particularly  the  case  with  children  and  timorous  indi- 
viduals. One  day  Joshua  Hoopes,  a  school  teacher  at 
that  time,  brought  a  party  of  his  boys  to  see  the  bird, 
and  I  noticed  one  of  their  number,  a  j)uny  and  delicate 
lad,  the  eagle  continually  eyed  and  several  times  en- 
deavored to  make  at  him.  A  female  domestic,  who 
had  annoyed  him  by  throwing  water  on  him  and  pok- 
ing at  him  with  a  stick,  he  showed  great  antipathy  to; 
we  were  eventually  obliged,  for  her  personal  safety 
and  our  own  convenience,  to  discharge  the  girl,  ns  she 
could   not   go  into-  the  yard   without  being  attacked. 


197 

An  Iiislinian  one  rlav  slvlv  entered  the  yard,  bul  in 
crossing  Xero's  province  he  was  set  upon  by  the  bird. 
In  the  fleshy  part  of  the  man's  thigh  he  imbedded  his 
talons,  and  it  was  with  considerable  difflculty  his  hold 
was  loosened.  Erin's  son  declared  that  never  before 
in  his  life  had  he  met  "sich  a  divil,"  and  that  nothing 
short  of  the  eagle's  life  could  appease  his  injuries. 

Examinntion  showed  that  although  there  were  ugly 
tlesh  wounds,  nothing  of  a  serious  nature  would  fol- 
low. This  information  being  imparted,  and  a  two  dol- 
lar bill  tendered  to  the  Irishman,  his  sufferings  were 
much  relieved.  He  stated  that  although  he  looked 
upon  the  "critter"  as  a  "bold,  bad  burd,"  still  he 
deemed  him  a  fit  subject  to  "kape  frum"  any  intrusion 
in  the  back  yard,  and  that  in  the  future,  whenever  h<' 
had  any  business  with  Bridget,  he  would  enter  the 
front  gate  and  make  known  his  wants  at  the  front 
door. 

HE    DEVOURED    THOMAS    CATS. 

The  strongest  and  largest  torn  cat  he  could  manage 
with  ease.  When  anyone  had  a  specially  objectiona- 
ble cat  which  they  wanted  disposed  of,  they  would  bag 
it  up  and  bring  it  to  the  eagle.  As  soon  as  he  saw 
the  bag  the  bird,  which  an  instant  before  sat  moping, 
ruffed-feathered  and  seemingly  half  dead,  suddenly,  as 
if  by  magic,  changed,  as  it  were,  into  a  new  being; 
body  erect,  feathers  close  to  the  body,  tail  expanded, 
the  sunken  eyes,  with  ten-fold  inirea.^ed  lustre,  fol- 
lowed with  argus  gaze  every  motion  of  the  bag  and 
occupant ;  soon  as  grimalkin  was  liberated  the  eagle 
swooped  down  and  grasped  it.  If  the  cat  was  of  or- 
dinary size,  Nero  displayed  little  concern  in  dispafch 
ing  il  ;  but  if  it  was  a  Thomas  feline,  of  Imgh  dimen- 
sions, all  the  powers  of  the  l»ird   were  brought  into 


11)8 

requisitiou.  Then  the  true  nature  of  the  eagle  was 
seen.  The  eves,  before  bright,  now  shone  like  balls  of 
fire,  the  crest  feathers  standing  up;  his  voice,  before 
hushed,  now  added  discord  to  the  dying  yells  of  his 
struggling  victim,  so  inextricably  fixed  in  his  relent- 
less talons.  He  could  kill  a  cat  in  from  two  to  five 
minutes. 

VS^OULD    SEIZE    GRIMALKIN    J3Y    NECK    AND    BACK. 

Commonly,  the  eagle  would  grasp  the  cat  around  the 
small  of  the  back  with  one  foot  and  with  the  other  he 
encircled  the  neck,  thus  retaining  his  hold  until  the 
animal  had  ceased  its  struggles,  which  were  soon  over, 
as  they  were  greatly  augmented  by  fright  and  exces- 
sive violence  of  action.  When  the  cat  became  quiet 
the  eagle  would  raise  his  wings,  which  he  had  allowed 
to  drop,  draw  his  body  up  as  high  as  possible  from  his 
prey,  and  proceed  leisurely  to  tear  off  the  skin  from 
his  captive's  back  and  side,  exposing  the  muscles  and 
viscera,  which  he  ate. 

FOOD  OF  THE  GOLDEN  EAGLE. 

Golden  Eagles  are  rather  rare  in  this  State,  hence 
their  depredations  to  poultry,  game  and  live  stock 
occasion  comparatively  little  loss  within  our  State's 
boundaries.  Domestic  fowls,  ducks  and  turkeys  es- 
pecially, are  often  devoured;  different  species  of  water 
birds,  grouse  and  wild  turkeys  suffer  chiefly  among  the 
game  birds.  Fawns  are  sometimes  attacked  and 
killed;  occasionally  it  destroys  young  pigs,  and  fre- 
quently many  lambs  are  carried  off  by  this  eagle. 
Many  rabbits  are  preyed  upon;  in  this  State,  the  Vary- 
ing Hare  and  common  Gray  Rabbit  or  "cotton-tail" 
form  a  portion  of  its  menu. 

Last  winter  a  farmer  residing  near  Harrisburg,  shot 


199 

one  of  these  eagles,  which  wjis  feastiuj;  on  a  large 
j^ander,  which  he  liad  just  killed;  but  as  tlie  uian  sold 
the  eagle,  a  fine  male,  for  three  dollars  he  lost  nothing 
by  the  death  of  his  goose.  When  other  food  is  scarce 
it  feeds  c-n  oflfal  and  carrion  Mice  many  other  species 
of  the  birds  of  prey  are  wont  to  do  when  deep  snows 
cover  the  ground.  When  there  is  a  paucity  of  wild 
game,  its  natural  food,  this  powerful  bird,  it  is  as- 
serted, often  becomes  very  troublesome  and  frequently 
attacks  the  young  of  domestic  animals,  such  as  lambs, 
calves  and  i)igs. 

EAGLES  DESTROYED  MANY   LAMBS. 

To  illustrate  the  damage  which  eagles  sometimes  do 
on  sheep  ranches,  Dr.  Fisher  publishes  the  following 
letter  to  Col.  Alexander  Macbeth,  of  (Teorgetown,  S. 
(,'.,  which  fully  explains  how  destructive  eagles  may 
occasionally  become.  This  letter,  as  Dr.  Fisher  ob 
serves,  "may  refer  in  part  to  the  Bald  Eagle": 

Rbems,  Georgetown  County,  S.  C,  May  30,  issO. 
Dear  Sir: — Yours  22cl  instant  at  hand,  and  in  reply  will  say 
that  the  eagles  are  more  destructive  to  the  sheep-growing 
industry  in  this  section  than  dogs.  On  one  ranch  this  sprinj; 
one  shepherd  alone  killed  over  forty  himself,  principally  by 
using  strj'chnine.  They  were  worse  than  we  ever  knew  oi 
before.  We  lost  fully  400  or  500  lambs,  as  they  devour  them 
as  rast  as  they  drop  from  the  old  sheep.  *  *  *  We 
frequently  see  during  eagle  or  lambing  season  fifteen  to 
twenty  eagles  in  a  covey  (or  bunch),  which  shows  at  a  glance 
that  they  arc  very  destructive.  We  have  also  a  few  wild- 
cats that  devour  the  young  sheep,  but  can  manage  them  better 
than  eagles. 

Yours  very  truly, 

T.    RHEM    AND    RONS. 

ADTTLT    DEER    ATTACKED. 

Some  years  ago  I  saw  the  remains  of  a  Golden  Eagle 
hanging,  with  some  pelts,  on  a  hunter's  cabin  in  the 
wilds  of  Clinton  county,  Pa.,  and  on  making  inquiry, 
learned  that  the  bird  had  been  shot  in  the  act  of  at- 


200 

tacking  a  small  doe.  Mr.  C.  F.  Morrison  writing  of  a 
similar  case  which  had  been  called  to  his  attention, 
says: 

"The  bird  had  captured  and  killed  a  good-sized  black-tailed 
deer,  and  was  hot  while  sitting  upon  its  body.  (O.  &  0.,Vol. 
XIV,  18S9.) 

Dr.  Fisher  publishes  the  following  paragraph  by  Mr.  Henry 
Seebohm:  "The  Golden  Eagle  has  been  known  on  one  highland 
sheep  farm  alone,  in  the  course  of  a  single  season,  to  carry 
off  as  many  as  thirty-five  lambs.  *  *  *  In  deer  for- 
ests eagles  are  of  the  greatest  service;  for  although  they  some- 
times take  a  sickly  deer  calf,  they  live  almost  entirely  on 
blue  hares,  so  troublesome  to  the  deer  stalker;  and  most  cer- 
tainly deer  are  better  for  the  removal  of  the  weak  and  sickly 
ones,  which  would  only  possibly  live  to  transmit  their  disease 
to  posterity.  *  *  *  The  Golden  Eagle  (noble  as  he  is 
thought  to  be)  will  eat  carrion  when  pressed  for  food.  * 
*  *  The  Golden  Eagle  also  preys  upon  various  species  of 
birds,  notably  the  blackcock  and  red  grouse,  ptarmigan, 
curlews  and  plover,  dropping  upon  them  unawares  or  simply 
taking  the  young  and  weakly  ones;  for  never  doep  the  bird 
pursue  or  strike  them  like   th(=    true    falcon." 


BALD     EAG  LE . 


201 


BALD  EAGLE. 

Haliaeetus  leucocephalus. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Tarsi  feathered  only  about  half  way  down. 

Male.— 'Length  about  3  I'tt-t:  extent  of  vinirs  about  7  feet. 
Female  larger,   measuring  sometimes  8  feet  in  extent. 

Adult.— Head,  neck,  tail  and  upper  coverts  of  latter,  white: 
re<5t  of  plumage  dusky-brown;  bill,   feet  and  eyes  yellow. 

Immature.— Kntire  plumage  dark  brown:  some  are  grayish- 
hrown.  and  tail  more  or  less  spotted  with  white;  bill  dark- 
coir.red ;  eyes  brown. 

Sabitat.— North  America  at  large,  south  to  Mexico.  Breeds 
sparingly    in    Pennsylvania. 

The  name  "Bald"  which  is  ^iven  to  this  species  is 
not  applied  because  the  head  is  bare,  but  because  the 
feathers  of  the  neck  and  head  in  the  adults  are  pure 
white.  In  Pennsylvania,  as  well  as  throughout  the 
United  States,  we  have  but  two  species  of  eagles. 
The  "Black,"  Gray"  and  "Washington"  Eagles  are  all 
young  of  the  Bald  Eagle.  Three  years,  it  is  stated, 
are  required  before  this  species  assumes  the  adult 
plumage. 

The  Bald  Eagle  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  at  all  sea- 
sons of  the  year. 

THE   NEST  AND  EGGS. 

A  few  of  these  birds  annually  rear  their  young  along 
the  Susquehanna  river,  and  also  in  a  few  other  locali- 
ties in  this  State.  The  nest,  a  bulkv  affair,  built  usually 
on  a  large  tree,  mostly  near  the  water,  is  about  four  or 
five  feet  in  diametc^r.  It  is  made  up  chiefly  of  large 
sticks,  lined  inside  with  grasses,  leaves,  etc.  The  eggs 
commonly  two — rarely  three — are  white  and  measure 
about  3  b.v  2^  inches.  A  favorite  article  of  foo>d  with 
this  bird  is  fish,  which  he  obtains,  chicliy  by  strat<^gy 
and  rapine. 
13* -I J 


202 

THE  BALD  EAGLE  AND  OSPREY. 

The  Bald  Eagle  is  quite  plentiful  in  the  vicinity  of 
large  rivers,  where  the  Fish  Hawk  is  eouimon;  unlike 
this  last  named  bird,  however,  he  cannot  be  called  pis- 
civoi'ous,  as  he  subsists  largely  on  ducks,  geese,  and 
other  aquatic  birds.  Referring  to  this  eagle,  Audu 
bon  says: 

"No  sooner  does  the  Fish  Hawk  make  its  appearance  along 
our  Atlantic  shores,  or  ascends  our  numerous  and  large  rivers, 
than  the  eagle  follows  it,  and,  like  a  selfish  oppressor,  robs 
it  of  the  hard-earned  fruits  of  its  labor.  Perched  on  some 
tall  summit,  in  view  of  the  ocean,  or  of  some  water  course, 
he  watches  every  motion  of  the  Fish  Hawk  while  on  wing. 
When  the  latter  i-ises  from  the  water  with  a  fish  in  its  grasp, 
forth  rushes  the  eagle  in  pursuit.  He  mounts  above  the  Fish 
Hawk,  and  threatens  it  by  actions  well  understood,  when  the 
latter,  fearing  perhaps  that  its  life  is  in  danger,  drops  its 
prey.  In  an  instant  the  eagle,  accurately  estimating  the 
rapid  descent  of  the  fish,  closes  his  wings,  follows  it  with 
the    swiftness    of    thought,    and    the    ne.Kt    moment    grasps    it." 

SOMETIMES   FISHES   FOR   HIMSELF. 

According  tO'  Audubon  the  Bald  Eagle  catches  tish 
for  himself. 

"This  bird  now  and  then  procures  fish  for  himself  by  pur- 
suing them  in  the  shallows  of  small  creeks.  I  have  witnessed 
several  instances  of  this  in  the  Perkiomen  creek,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, where,  in  this  manner,  I  saw  one  of  them  secure  a 
number  of  red  fins  by  wading  briskly  through  the  water  and 
striking  at  them  with  his  bill.  T  have  also  observed  a  pair 
scrambling  over  the  ice  of  a  frozen  pond  to  get  at  some  fish 
below,  but  without  success.  It  does  not  confine  itself  to  these 
kinds  of  food,  but  greedily  devours  young  pigs,  lambs,  fawns, 
poultry  and  the  putrid  flesh  of  carcasses  of  every  description, 
driving  off  the  ^'ultures  and  carrion  crows  or  the  do^s,  and 
keeping    a    whole    party    at    defiance    until    it    is    satiated." 

KII>LS    LAMBS    .AND    PIGS, 

Dr.  Fisher  publishes  the  following  notes  from  the 
Forest  and  Stream  concerning  the  destruction  of  do 
mestic  animals: 

A  number  of  eagles  have  recently  been  shot  In  various 
parts  of  Pennsylvania.     One,  shot   by  John    Hodman   in   North 

Coveiitiy,   Chester  county,    had    rnii'led   off    limlily   a    larg«-   lamb 


BALD    EAGLE . (YOUNG ) 


203 

and  returned  the  following  day,  after  another."  ("Vol.  V.  1876,  p. 
195.)  "A  large  White-headed  Eagle  swooped  down  on  a  flock 
of  sheep  here  (Hornellsville,  New  York)  and  made  a  break- 
fast on  lamb  chops  before  he  could  be  driven  off."  (Vol.  X, 
1878,  p.  319.)  "It  (the  Bald  Eagle)  was  killed  by  a  Mr.  Towry, 
near  Smithville,  Mississippi.  When  found  by  Mr.  Towry  it 
had  killed  two  of  his  hogs  and  was  dining  on  one  of  them." 
(Vol.   VIII,   1877.) 

Dr.  Fisher  also  refers  to  an  article  published  in  the 
Forest  and  Stream  (Vol.  IV,  1875,  p.  166)  in  which  a 
Bald  Eagle  was  seen  to  fly  five  miles  with  a  live  lamb 
in  its  talons. 

HOW  THEY  CAPTURE  GEESE. 

Dr.  Fisher  reproduces  from  Bulletin  of  the  Nuttall 
Ornith.  Club,  the  following  very  interesting  note  from 
Mr.  Wm,  Brewster,  and  which  refers  to  the  manner 
in  which  the  Eagles  catch  wild-fowl  in  the  vicinity  of 
Oobb's  Island,  Virginia: 

"In  the  winter  the  eagles  are  much  more  numerous  than  at 
any  other  time  of  the  year,  and  my  informant  has,  on  sev- 
eral occasions,  seen  as  many  as  eight  at  once.  At  this  sea- 
son the  neighboring  bays  and  creeks  swarm  with  wild  fowl, 
and  upon  these  the  eagfes  principally  live.  He  has  never 
known  them  to  catch  fish  of  any  kind,  although  they  not 
unfrequently  rob  the  Fish  Hawk.  Geese  and  brant  form 
their  favorite  food,  and  the  address  displayed  in  their  capture 
is  very  remarkable.  The  poor  victim  has  apparently  not  the 
slightest  chance  for  escape.  The  eagles  flight,  ordinarily 
slow  and  somewhat  heavy,  becomes  in  the  excitement  of 
pursuit  exceedingly  swift  and  graceful,  and  the  fugitive  is 
quickly  overtaken.  When  close  upon  its  quarry  the  eagle  sud- 
denly sweeps  beneath  it.  and,  turning  back  downwards, 
thrusts  its  powerful  talons  up  into  Its  breast.  A  brant  or 
duck  is  carried  off  bodily  to  the  nearest  marsh  or  sand  bar. 
but  a  Canada  goose  is  too  heavy  to  be  thus  easily  disposed 
of.  The  two  great  birds  fall  together  to  the  water  beneath, 
while  the  eagle  fiterally  tows  his  prize  along  the  surface 
until  the  shore  is  reached.  In  This  way  one  has  been  known 
to  drag  a  large  goose  for  nearly  half  a  mile." 

WILL,  SOMETIMES   ATTACK  MANKIND. 

If  newspaper  and  numerous  written  accounts  are 
true  (and  unfortnnnlely  many  arc  not")  it  would  ap 
]>('ar  that  even  man  is  not  exemjn   from  the  attacks 


204 

of  these  predaceous  birds.  1  have  repeatedly  seen  in 
newspapers,  accounts  of  combats  between  men  and 
eagles;  frequently  the  bird  would  be  the  aggressor. 
While  it  is  admitted  that  these  reports  are  largely 
due  to  the  imaginative  reporter,  it  is  believed  that  such 
occurrences  do  occasionally  take  place.  Veritable  in- 
stances are  related  of  their  carrying  off  infants.  Ac- 
cording to  Wilson: 

"An  attempt  of  this  kind  was  made  upon  a  child  lying  by  its 
mother,  as  she  was  weeding  a  garden,  at  Egg  Harbor,  New 
Jersey,  but  the  garment  seized  upon  by  the  eagle  giving  way  at 
the  instant  of  the  attempt,  the  child's  life  was  spared."  Nut- 
tall  speaks  of  an  instance  said  to  have  happened  at  Peters- 
burg, Georgia,  near  the  Savannah  river,  "where  an  infant, 
sleeping  in  the  shade  near  the  house,  was  seized  and  carried 
off  to  the  eyry,  near  the  edge  of  the  swamp,  five  miles  dis- 
tant, and  when  found,  almost  immediately,  the  child  was 
dead." 

DESTROYS  POULTRY  AND  GAME. 

This  bird  very  often  preys  on  birds  and  mammals. 
I  have  knowledge  of  at  least  two  of  these  birds  which 
have  killed  poultry  (tame  ducks  and  turkeys)  along  the 
Susquehanna  river.  Duck  hunters  assured  ine  thai 
they  have,  on  several  occasions,  seen  Bald  Eagles  at- 
tack and  kill  wild  ducks  and  geese  which  are  often 
quite  numerous  during  migrations  on  the  Sus(iuehanna 
river. 

Sometimes,  like  the  Go-lden  Eagle,  this  species  will 
attack  raccoons,  and  skunks;  and  o-n  one  occasion  I 
found  two  or  three  spines  of  a  porcupine  in  the  body 
of  an  immature  Bald  Eagle  which  I  secured  in  Clinton 
county.  This  led  me  to  infer  that  the  Bald  Eagle 
might,  sometimes,  attack  this  animal  which  is  so  well 
able  to  defend  himself,  and  which  seems  to  be  of  no  use 
in  our  hemlock  forests  but  to  ruin  hunting  dogs,  and 
gnaw  everything  which  is  the  least  bit  salty,  that  they 
find  in  (lieii  noctural  I'amblings  nbout  the  lumber 
cjinips. 


DUCK      H  AW  K 


205 


DUCK  HAWK. 
Palco  peregrinus  anatum. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Size  as  well  as  colors  variable.  A  female  before  me  is  20 
Inches  long,  and  measures  from  tip  lo  tip  46  inches;  tall,  8. 
Male   smaller. 

Above  blackish-brown  or  slaty-black,  and  many  feathers 
with  paler  edgings;  chin,  throat,  forepart  of  neck  and  upper 
breast  yellowish-white,  and  sometimes  nearly  immaculate. 
l>ut  usually  more  or  less  streaked  or  spotted;  showy  black 
ear  patches;  frontal  feathers  whitish,  rest  of  under  parts 
barred  and  streaked  with  blackish  and  lighter  colors.  Im- 
mature birds  are  more  brown  and  lower  parts  are  much  more 
spotted  with  dark  and  less  barred.  Bill  bluish-black,  except 
about  base,  like  cere  is  yellowish;  legs  yellow;  iris  brown. 

Sahitat. — North  America  at  large.  Resident  and  breeds 
sparingly    in    Pennsylvania. 

This  bold  and  predatory  hawk,  the  largest  of  the 
typical  falcons  found  in  this  region,  retires,  usually 
during  the  summer  time,  to  the  mountainous  districts, 
generally  in  the  neighborhood  of  large  streams,  and  in 
the  winter  season  (fall,  winter  and  early  spring),  it  is 
found  as  an  irregular  visitor  in  nearly  all  sections  of 
our  Commonwealth. 

THE  NEST  AND  EGGS. 

Tli(i  I)u<  k  Hawk  breeds  in  several  localities  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  in  some  parts  of  the  state  it  is  reported 
to  be  quite  common.  The  late  Judge  Libhart,  of  Lan- 
caster county,  twelve  or  fifteen  years  ago,  observed  it 
as  a  "resident,  common  on  the  Susquehanna."  Dr. 
Treichler,  -Mr,  Roddy  and  other  more  recent  observers, 
report  the  l>uck  Hawk  in  Lancaster  county  as  a  rather 
rare  visitor,  oommonly  seen  in  winter.  The  following 
gentlemen  report  this  species  as  a  native:  Hon.  Gerard 
C.  Brown,  Casper  Loucks   and   George  Miller  all  of 


2(H'> 

York  couxilv,  state  tluit  it  is  a  n'^nlar  breeder 
on  the  high  cliffs  about  I  lie  Sii.s<nielianna.  ('oiu-erniii}^' 
the  bird  Mr.  (ieorge  Miller  furnishes  the  following 
notes:  "Found  nest  of  Duck  Hawk  April  7,  188(».  It 
contained  four  eggs  slightly  incubated;  hawk  on  nest 
when  discovered,  along  Susquehanna  river  near  mouth 
of  Codorus  creek.  Nest  about  one-third  down  from 
top  of  a  higli  cliff  on  shelf  with  overhanging  rock;  nest 
made  of  rocky  debris  found  lying  about.  Remains  of 
birds,  such  as  tame  pigeons,  flickers,  blackbirds,  etc., 
upon  which  the  Duck  Hawks  had  evidently  been  feed- 
ing, were  found  plentifully  scattered  over  the  rocks. 

I  shot  the  male  soon  after  collecting  the  eggs,  and 
have  it  now  in  my  collection  of  birds."  Dr.  W.  L. 
Hartman,  of  Luzerne  county,  says: 

"The  Great-footed  or  Duck  Hawk  breeds  regularly 
in  this  locality  (Pittston)  in  an  almost  inaccessible 
ledge  of  rocks."  Mr.  Thou^as  S.  Gillin,  Ambler,  Mont- 
gomery county,  says:  "I  have  had  many  opportunities 
of  observing  them,  having  shot  twelve  inside  of  a  ra- 
dius of  five  miles  of  this  place;  in  fact  see  them  regu- 
larly, and  know  of  two  nesting  places  in  this  state." 
Dr.  T.  Z.  Hazzard,  Allegheny  county;  Mr.  O.  B.  Hark. 
Northampton  county,  and  W.  P.  Bolton,  Montgomery 
county,  also  mention  it  as  a  breeder.  Dr.  John  W. 
l>etwiller  and  Mr.  Samuel  Mack,  both  residents  of 
Bethlehem,  have,  on  different  o-ccasions,  found  Duck 
Hawks'  nests.  With  regard  to  their  breeding  in  this 
State,  Dr.  Detwiller  (letter  November  2,  1889),  says: 
"Duck  Hawk;  secured  set  of  four  eggs  from  the  cliffs 
of  Camel's  Ledge,  Pittston,  1880;  1886.  secured  two 
sets  of  four  eggs  in  each  set,  one  at  Skinner's  Eddy  and 
the  other  at  Buttermilk  Falls,  Susquehanna  river 
(East  Branch).     1887,  secured  a  set  of  four  eggs,  and 


207 

another  of  three,  at  'The  Narrows,"  Delaware  liver. 
Month  of  incubation,  April."  Reports  which  1  have 
received  from  other  naturalists  and  collectors,  show 
that  the  Duck  Hawk  has  been  observed  in  other  parts 
of  the  State  as  a  straggler  in  the  spring  and  fall,  or  as 
a  rather  rare  and  irregular  winter  visitor.  I  have 
never  found  the  nest  of  this  bird. 

Dr.  Coues  states  that  it  "breeds  as  far  south  as  Virginia 
at  least;  eggs,  2-5,  oftener  3-4,  2.10  to  2.35x1.60  to  1.75,  averag- 
ing about  2.25x1.65;  white  or  whitish,  spotted,  blotched, 
wreathed,  clouded,  etc.,  with  the  reddish-browns,  from  choco- 
late  Of  even   purplish    to   the   ochres." — Key,   N.   A.    Birds. 

KILLS  DOMESTIC  FOWLS. 

This  hawk,  like  the  Cooper's  and  Sharp-shinned  spe- 
cies previously  described,  is  detrimental,  but  fortu- 
nately for  the  farmer  and  fruit  grower  the  Duck  Hawk 
is  a  comparatively  rare  bird,  and,  except  in  winter, 
is  found  usually  about  the  larger  rivers.  However, 
when  a  pair  of  these  birds  begin  house-keeping  on  a 
high,  rocky  ledge  in  the  neighborhood  of  farm  houses, 
they  frequently  destroy  a  good  many  domestic  fowls. 

For  several  years  past  a  pair  of  these  hawks  have 
nested  in  an  inaccessible  nook  on  a  high  rocky  bluff 
along  the  Susquehanna  river  across  from  Northumber- 
land, Pa.,  and  several  poultry  raisers  in  that  locality 
have  had  a  good  many  of  their  fowls  killed  by  thein. 

Two  years  ago,  in  mid-winter,  a  farmer  living  along 
the  Brandywine  creek  near  West  Chester,  brought  to 
my  office  two  of  these  hawks  wliich  he  had  killed  one 
evening  at  his  carp  pond  where,  he  stated,  they  went 
to  watch  and  catch  his  ducks  and  chickens.  He  said 
that  this  pair  of  hawks  liad  killed  eight  chickens  and 
three  ducks  for  him  in  about  a  week,  and  that  they 
had  also  caught  several  of  his  pigeons. 


208 


PLAYED    HAVOC    WITH    TERNS. 

I>r.  (J.  Hart  Merriam  (Birds  of  Conn.,  1877,  p.  82,)  re- 
ferring to  a  Duck  Hawk  which  was  shot  on  Falkner 
Fsland,  Connecticut,  says: 

"During  her  brief  visit  she  had  made  sad  havoc  aniung  tht- 
terns,  and  her  crop  was  greatly  distended  with  their  re- 
mains, which  had  been  swallowed  in  incredibly  large  pieces; 
whole  legs,  and  long  bones  of  the  wings  were  found  entire 
and  unbroken;  indeed  she  was  perfectly  gorged,  and  contained 
the  remains  of  at  least  two  terns,  besides  a  mass  of  newly- 
hatched   young." 

KILLS    WILD    FOWL. 

1  have  seen  this  species  catch  the  Coot  (Fulica)  and 
a  Wood  Duck  on  the  Susquehanna  river.  Audubon 
says : 

"He  pursues  the  smaller  ducks,  water  hens  and  other  swim- 
ming birds,  and  If  they  are  not  quick  in  diving  it  seizes  them 
and  rises  with  tht'm  from  the  water.  I  ha\e  seen  this  hawk 
oome  at  the  report  of  a  gun  and  carry  off  a  teal  not  thirty 
steps  distant  from  the  sportsman  who  had  killed  it.  with 
a  daring  assurance  as  surprising  as  unexpected.  This  con- 
duct has  been  obsf-rved  by  manv  individuals,  and  is  a  char- 
acteristic trait  of  this  species.  The  largest  bird  that  1 
have  seen  this  hawk  attack  and  grapple  with  on  the  wlnx 
is   the  mallard. 

"Th.'  lUuk  ll.iwk  does  not.  h..w.\er.  ci>nieiU  himself  with 
water  fowl.  He  is  generally  seen  following  the  flocks  of 
pigeons,  and  even  blackbirds,  •  causing  great  terror  in  their 
ranks,  and  forcing  them  to  perform  aerial  evolutions  to  escape 
the  grasp  of  his  dreaded  talons.  For  several  days  I  watched 
one  of  them  that  had  taken  a  particular  fancy  to  some  tame 
pigeons,  to  secure  which  it  went  so  far  as  to  enter  their  house 
at  one  of  the  holes,  seize  a  bird,  and  issue  by  another  hole  in 
an  instant,  causing  such  terror  among  the  rest  as  to  render  me 
fearful  that  they  would  abandon  the  place.  However  I  for- 
tunately shot  the  depredator.  They  .Kcasionallv  feed  on  dead 
fish  that  have  floated  to  the  shores  or  sand  bars."— Audubon. 

I  liave  examined  but  three  of  these  hawks;  the 
stomachs  of  two  were  destitute  of  food  materials,  the 
other  contained  a  few  feathers  of  a  domestic  pigeon. 

THEY    PREY  ON   SoNG   BIKIIS. 

Dr.  Fisher's  report  shows  that  of  twenty  stomachs 
of  Duck  Hawks  examined,  not  h-ss  th;ni  four  fifths,  or 


l&t 


k 


1 


*«n* 


whirh  the  followtng:  4|>«ct«)»  wttt-e  idennti^*! 


iloo:ru 
■-T^vai  Thraaterr. 


Mourruiit;   J'. 


The  Quiv  inauiuuti  »*»«€*«  us-  simwn  by  rhe8»*   >- 


1'  ill..  :ii    ' 

biprf's"  ifmninHi   which  •♦♦•iiicl   not  \w  iifeiififii^L   ^vith 

1  :morh»' 

X.   Y. 

niiinniL:  ^trrtnijirht*- 'if  rh«»  nv^nn*  hi»f  PHfi*pr^«l  '■»•    vmi>- 


I4*-M 


208 

FLAYED    HAVOC    WITH    TERNS. 

Dr.  O.  Hart  Merriam  (Birds  of  Conn,,  1877,  p.  82,)  re- 
ferrinj^j  to  a  Duck  Hawk  which  was  shot  on  Falkner 
island,  Connecticut,  says: 

"During  her  brief  visit  she  had  made  sad  havoc  aniung  the 
terns,  and  her  crop  was  greatly  distended  with  their  re- 
mains, which  had  been  swallowed  in  incredibly  large  pieces; 
whole  legs,  and  long  bones  of  the  wings  were  found  entire 
and  unbroken;  indeed  she  was  perfectly  gorged,  and  contained 
the  remains  of  at  least  two  terns,  besides  a  mass  of  newly- 
hatched  young." 

KILLS   WILD   FOWL. 

1  have  seen  this  species  catch  the  Coot  (Fulica)  and 
a  Wood  Duck  on  the  Susquehanna  river.  Audubon 
says: 

"He  pursues  the  smaller  ducks,  water  hens  and  other  swim- 
ming birds,  and  if  they  are  not  quick  in  diving  it  seizes  them 
and  rises  with  them  from  the  water.  I  have  seen  this  hawk 
come  at  the  report  of  a  gun  and  carry  off  a  teal  not  thirty 
steps  distant  from  the  sportsman  who  had  killed  it,  with 
a  daring  assurance  as  surprising  as  unexpected.  This  con- 
duct has  been  observed  by  many  individuals,  and  is  a  chai- 
acteristic  trait  of  this  species.  The  largest  bird  that  I 
have  seen  this  hawk  attack  and  grapple  with  on  the  win« 
is   the  mallard. 

"The  Duck  Hawk  does  not.  liowcver,  euntent  himself  with 
water  fowl.  He  is  generally  seen  following  the  flocks  of 
pigeons,  and  even  blackbirds,  •  causing  great  terror  in  their 
ranks,  and  forcing  them  to  perform  aerial  evolutions  to  escape 
the  grasp  of  his  dreaded  talons.  For  several  days  I  watched 
one  of  them  that  had  taken  a  particular  fancy  to  some  tame 
pigeons,  to  secure  which  it  went  so  far  as  to  enter  their  house 
at  one  of  the  holes,  seize  a  bird,  and  issue  by  another  hole  in 
an  instant,  causing  such  terror  among  the  rest  as  to  render  me 
fearful  that  they  would  abandon  the  place.  However,  I  for- 
tunately shot  the  depredator.  They  occasionally  feed  on  dead 
fish  that  have  floated  to  the  shores  or  sand  bars."— Audubon. 

r  liave  examined  but  three  of  these  hawks;  the* 
stomachs  of  two  were  destitute  of  food  materials,  the 
other  contained  a  few  feathers  of  a  domestic  pigeon. 

THEY  PREY  ON   SONG  BIRDS. 

Dr.  Fisher's  report  shows  that  of  twenty  stomachs 
of  Duck  Hawks  examined,  not  less  than  four-fifths,  or 


PIGEON     HAW  K  . 


211 

in   this  iState,  and   is  uflener  met   with  in   the  laouu 
lainons  and  wooded  districts  than  elsewhere. 

FEEDS  PRINCIPALLY   ON   BIRDS. 

Field  observations  and  post-mortem  examinations 
made  by  numerous  naturalists  show  very  conclusively 
that  although  the  Pijzeon  HawU  will  sometimes  de- 
stroy poultry,  tame  pigeons,  and  even  game  birds  as 
large  as  the  Piaiinigan,  it  preys  mainly  on  various 
kinds  of  small  wild  birds.  It  sometimes  catches  in- 
sects, and  small  quadrupeds. 

The  following  is  taken  from  my  note  book  in  rela- 
tion to  a  pair  of  these  hawks:  Two  Pigeon  Hawks  dur 
ing  the  late  fall  lurked  about  the  southern  suburbs  of 
the  borough  of  West  Chester,  preying  at  regular  inter- 
vals on  the  pigeons  of  a  blacksmith.  In  one  week  the 
hawks  killed  or  drove  away  fifty  of  these  birds.  The 
hawks  would  (mter  the  boxes  and  take  from  them  the 
pigeons. 

DEVOURS  MANY  BENEFICIAL  BIRDS. 

An  examination  of  Dr.  Fisher's  food-table  of  this 
species  shows  very  conclusively  that  these  birds  prey 
on  a  great  varfety  of  birds,  particularly  those  of  the 
sparrow  family.  In  the  stomachs  of  fifty-one  Pigeon 
hawks  mentioned  by  Dr.  Fisher,  forty-one  eo-ntained 
small  birds  and  of  these  the  following  speeies  were 
identified: 

Song  Sparrow,  Swift, 

English  Sparrows.  Flicker, 

Indigo   Bird,  Warblers, 

Field  Sparrow,  Bobolink, 

Swamp    Sparrows.  Tree  Swallow, 

Chipping  Sparrow,  Red-eyed  Vireos, 

Goldfinchs,  Brown  Creeper, 

Thrush,  Blue-headed   Vireo. 


212 


VIEWS  OF  DIFFERENT  WRITERS 

The   following    parngfi'aphs   are   quoted    from    Dr. 
Fisher's  report: 

"The  food  of  the  Pigreon  Hawk  consisls  mainly  of  small  and 
medium-sized  birds,  especially  the  gregarious  species,  insects, 
and  occasionally  small  mammals.  Pigeons,  flickers  and 
grackles  are  about  as  large  birds  as  it  usually  attacks,  though 
Dr.  Dall,  in  one  instance,  saw  it  kill  a  ptarmigan,  and  Dr.  E.  A. 
Mearns  speaks  of  a  specimen  shot  in  the  act  of  destroying  a 
hen.  Among  the  insects  dragon  flies  are  favorite  morsels  for 
this  hawk,  and  the  apparent  ease  with  which  it  captures  these 
nimble-winged  insects  demonstrates  better  than  anything  else 
its  remarkable  power  of  flight.  The  writer  has  also  found 
grasshoppers,  crickets  and  beetles  among  the  stomach  con- 
tents. 

Like  the  Duck  Hawk,  the  species  under  consideration  occa- 
sionally captures  small  mammals  when  its  ordinary  food  is 
scarce,  though  according  to  Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper,  it  sometimes 
feeds  quite  extensively  on  them.  He  says:  "Though  small,  the 
Pigeon  Hawk  has  all  the  fierceness  and  coui-age  of  a  true  fal- 
con, and  captures  birds  fully  as  large  as  itself.  It,  however, 
chiefly  follows  the  flocks  of  gregarious  birds,  such  as  black- 
birds, doves,  etc.,  and  preys  much  on  mice,  gophers  and  squir- 
rels. I  have  not  heard  of  its  attacking  domestic  poultry,  and 
those  farmers  who  shoot  every  'chicken  hawk'  that  .comes 
around  the  house  would  do  well  to  observe  them  more  closely, 
and  will  discover  that  these  small  species  are  not  the  young 
of  the  larger  ones,  and  should  rather  be  encouraged  than  de- 
stroyed.    (Ornith.  Cala.,  Land  Birds,  1870,  p.  461.) 

Wilson  sums  up  its  food  as  follows:  "When  the  reed  birds, 
grackles  and  red-winged  blackbirds  congregate  in  large  flights, 
he  is  often  observed  hovering  in  their  rear,  or  on  their  flanks, 
picking  up  the  weak,  the  wounded  or  stragglers,  and  fre- 
quently making  a  sudden  and  fatal  sweep  into  the  very  midst 
of  their  multitudes.  The  flocks  of  robins  and  pigeons  are  hon- 
ored with  the  same  attentions  from  this  marauder."  (Am. 
Ornithology,  Vol.  I,  1831,  p.  61,  62.) 

Audubon  speaks  of  its  food  as  follows:  "It  seizes  the  re,]- 
breasted  thrush,  the  wild  pigeon,  and  even  the  golden-winged 
wooGD-ecKer  on  land,  whilst  along  the  shores  it  chases  several 
species  of  snipes,  as  well  as  the  green-winged  teal."  (Ornith. 
Biography,  Vol.  I,  p.  467.) 

Mr.  John  Murdoch  mentions  four  Pigeon  Hawks  which,  on 
September  5,  came  out  to  the  vessel  as  it  was  crossing  the 
Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  and  says:  "The  first  that  appeared  had 
a  Leach's  petrel,  dead,  in  his  talnns.  He  alighted  with  this  on 
the  fore  cross-trees,  and  proceeded  to  eat  it."  (Bull.  Nutt. 
Ornith.  Club,  Vol.  II,  1877,   p.  79.) 

Dr.  Coues,  speaking  of  the  species  in  Labrador,  says:  "On 
the  25th  of  the  same  month  (August),  at  Henley  Harbor,  an- 
other Individual  was  seen  foraging  among  the  Immense  flocks 
of  curlews  (Numenius  borealis)  which  then  covered  the  hills 
In  the  vicinity."    (Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  Phila.,  1861,  p.  216.) 

In  Texas,  Mr.  George  B.   Sennett  secured  a  bird  whose  crop 


213 

contained  nearly  the  whole  of  a  ground  dove.  Mr.  Thomas  Mc- 
Ilraith  mentions  seeing  one  of  these  falcons  dive  into  a  flock 
of  blackbirds  on  one  of  the  marshes  of  Ontario,  and  saya:  "I 
once  saw  him  stoop'  on  a  flock  as  they  hurried  toward  the 
marsh  for  shelter.  How  closely  they  had  huddled  together. 
as  if  seeking  mutual  ;notection,  but  he  went  right  through 
the  flock  arid  came  out  on  the  other  side  with  one  in  each 
fist."     (Birds  of  Ontario,  1SS6,  p.  149.) 

Occasionally  the  Pigeon  Hawk  is  quite  destructive 
to  youug  chickens,  as  the  following  from  the  pen  of 
the  late  Dr.  AVilliam  Wood  will  show: 

"In  May,  1860,  a  gentleman  who  resides  some  five  miles  dis- 
tant, informed  me  that  a  small  hawk  came  almost  every 
day  and  carried  off  a  chicken  for  him.  *  *  *  -p^e  next 
day  the  same  little  hawk  leturned  and  was  shot,  and  is  now 
in  my  collection,  a  beautiful  representative  of  the  Pigeon 
Hawk."      (Am.    Nat..   Vol.   VII,    p.   342.) 


214 


SPARROW  HAWK. 

Falco  sparverius. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Small,  wings  narrow  and  pointed;  top  of  head  bluish-gray 
or  dark  slate,  the  crown  with  or  without  a  rufous  patch. 

Male.  —Tail  chestnut  rufous,  crossed  by  a  broad  black  band 
near  end;  wings  grayish-blue,  more  or  less  spotted  with  black. 
Above:  Rufous,  with  or  without  black  bars  or  spots.  Below: 
Varying-  from  white  to  deep  rufous,  with  or  without  black 
spots. 

Female.  -Tail,  wings  and  back  crossed  by  numerous  narrow 
bands  of  dusky."     (Fisher.) 

Length,  10  to  12  inches;  extent  of  wings  18  to  23  inches;  tail 
4^-  *:o  rii^>  inches.     Iris  brown;  leg's  and  feet  yellow. 

.Ha&t<a^— Whole  of  North  .America,  south  to  northern  South 
America.  Common  and  breeds  generally  throughout  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

The  Sparrow  Hawk  is  the  smallest  and  most  beau- 
tiful of  the  American  hawks.  During-  migrations  in 
the  spring  and  autumn  and  throughout  the  summer 
months  the  Spaiiow  Hawk  is  common  in  nearly  all 
sections  of  this  State,  except  ]»(n-haps  in  the  heavily 
wooded  mountainous  districts  where,  according  to  my 
experience,  the  species  is  rather  rare.  Tn  southern 
Pennsylvania,  especially  in  Che.ster,  Delaware.  Lancas 
ter  and  York  counties,  this  bird  is  of  frequent  occur- 
rence as  a  winter  resident,  but  in  the  central  and 
northern  counties  of  oui"  State  it  is  regarded  as  a 
I'ather  unusual   winter  sojourner. 

.M:sT,    FAiGS  AND   YOUNG. 

In  southeastern  Pennsylvania  where  this  species  was 
in  former  years  a  very  common  summer  resident  they 
begin  nesting  in  April.  The  eggs,  usually  five  in  num- 
ber, are  deposited  in  hollow  trees,  generally  the  de- 
serted hole  of  ;i  woodpecker.     Tlie  eggs  measiii-e  about 


SPARROW     HAWK 


215 

1.33  by  1.13  inches  and  are  of  a  whitish  or  pale -yellow 
brown  color,  blot«hed  all  over  with  dark  brown. 

When  the  young  or  eggs  are  disturbed  the  parent 
birds  will  sometimes  defend  invasion  of  their  home 
with  great  temerity. 

Some  few  years  ago  I  was  endeavoring  to-  secure  the 
young  from  a  nest  of  this  species.  I  had  climbed  the 
tree  to  the  hole,  about  thirty-five  feet  from  the  ground, 
wherein  were  snugly  packed  five  young,  one  of  which 
I  removed,  when  both  old  birds  assailed  uie.  They 
several  times  struck  my  head  and  armc  with  their 
talons  and  wings.  So  persistent  were  their  attacks 
that  I,  desiring  to  obtain  the  young  alive,  directed  a 
companion  who  stood  nearby  to  shoot  both  birds.  1 
have  rei)eatedly  taken  tlie  eggs  and  young  of  this  bird 
but  never,  except  in  the  above  cited  instance,  encoun- 
tered such  determined  oppo-sition. 

When  reared  from  the  nest  the  Sparrow  Hawk  will 
soon  become  attached  to  its  master.  I  raised  two. 
which  were  given  their  fi-eedom.  Both  birds  would 
come  at  my  call  and  alight  o-n  my  outstretched  arm 
or  shoulders,  anxiously  waiting  fo-r  a  grasshopper  or 
piece  of  meat,  which  was  always  their  recompense. 

This  hawk  will  resort  for  sfvoral  consecutive  years 
to  the  same  tree  for  breeding  purposes.  From  Doctoi" 
Wood's  "Birds  of  Connecticut."  the  following  remarks, 
with  regard  to  the  nesting  of  this  bird,  are  taken: 

"One  of  my  collector.s  found  a  nest  of  four  eggs  in  the  top 
of  a  stump  about  ten  feet  from  the  ground.  This  nest  was 
composed  of  grass,  and  was  discovered  by  the  grass  protruding 
through  a  crack  in  the  stump.  Whether  this  hawk  constructed 
this  nest,  or  whether  it  had  been  made  bv  some  other  bird,  it 
IS  impossible  to  tell,  but  if  this  hawk  constructs  no  nest,  as 
asserted  by  Dr.  Brewer  and  others,  it  must  have  obtained 
it  piratically,  as  the  nest  was  new.  fn  another  instance,  which 
occurred  in  Granby.  Tonnecticut,  the  nest  was  known  to  hav.- 
been  obtained  in  thi^^  way:  A  farmer  made  a  dove  house  in- 
side of  his  barn,   with  holes  through   the  sides  of  the  building 


216 

communicating  with  it.  A  pair  of  doves  that  had  mated  were 
attacked  and  killed  by  a  pair  of  Sparrow  Hawks,  who  took 
possession  of  their  nest,  laid  four  eggs  and  commf^ncfd  in- 
cubating." 

Incubation,  which  lasts  for  about  a  period  of  fiom 
twentv-ono  to  twenty-four  days,  is  engaged  in  by  both 
birds,  and  while  one  is  sitting  its  mate  supplies  it  with 
food.  When  first  hatched  the  young  are  covered  with 
a  white  down.  The  food  of  young,  while  under  pa- 
rental care,  I  have  found  to  consist  chiefly  of  insects. 

PROTECT  THE  SPARROW  HAWK. 

The  farmer,  fruit  grower  and  sportsmen  shouldj 
learn  the  true  value  of  this  little  hawk,  as  he  is  one 
of  the  most  desirable  feathered  visitors  and  should  not 
by  even  the  most  casual  observer  be  mistaken  for  that 
destructive  marauder  the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk.  The 
Sparrow  Hawk  preys  to  a  very  considerable  extent  on 
English  sparrows. 

Popular  ignorance  of  the  great  service  which  this 
species  does  to  the  farmer  and  pomologist,  by  destroy- 
ing myriads  of  noxious  insects,  together  with  the  in- 
disposition or  inability  to  distinguish  Sparrow  hawks 
from  the  Sharp-shinned  and  smaller  individuals  o>f 
Cooper's  hawk,  which  so  many  people  have,  have  re- 
sulted in  placing  Sparrow  hawks  under  ban,  and  they 
are  destroyed  by  farmers  and  gunners  in  many  sec- 
tions with  the  same  eagerness  that  they  kill  the  de- 
structive Sharp-shinned  and  Cooper's  hawks. 

Tliis  useless  slaughter,  which,  of  course,  was  mater- 
ially aided  by  the  inducement  which  a  "scalp  act"  af 
forded,  has  brought  about  a  very  noticeable  decrease 
in  the  number  of  Sparrow  hawks  one  sees  nowadays. 
Twelve  or  fourteen  years  ago  I  have  often  counted 
from  the  car  windows  in  riding  from  Philadelphia  to 
Harrisbnrg  from  twentv  to  twentv  five  of  Miese  little 


217 

lalcoiis;  but  in  recent  years,  I  have  never  observed  at 
any  season  of  the  year,  when  going  over  the  same 
route,  more  than  four  or  five  of  these  birds. 

WHAT    OTHER    WRITERS    HAVE    OBSERVED. 

Allen,  In  his  "Ornithological  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  the  Great 
Salt  Lake  Valley,"  says:  "The  Sparrow  Hawlc,  however,  was 
by  far  the  most  numerous  of  the  Falconidae;  thirty  were  seen 
in  the  air  at  one  time  near  the  mouth  of  Weber  canon,  en- 
gaged in  the  capture  of  the  hateful  grasshoppers,  which  seems 
at  this  season  to  form  the  principal  food  of  this  and  other 
birds."  Audubon  mentions  that  he  had  one  of  these  birds 
tamed.  It  was  allowed  its  liberty.  "In  attempting  lu  sefure  a 
ehiclcen  one  day,  the  old  hen  attacked  him  with  such  violence 
as  to  cost  him  his  life.  '  Dr.  Wood  says:  "When  they  can- 
not readily  procure  their  favorite  food,  mice  and  small  birds 
are  greedily  devoured;  and,  according  to  a  writer  in  the  Amer- 
ican Naturalist,  they  are  not  wholly  devoid  of  the  piratical 
habits  of  the  Bald  Eagle.  "A  tame  cat  was  crossing  the 
street  and  bearing  a  large  mouse  in  her  mouth;  a  Sparrow 
Hawk  came  flj'ing  over,  and  seeing  a  mouse  in  her  mouth, 
made  a  stidden  swoop  and  tried  to  seize  it  with  its  talons,  but 
did  not  succeed.  The  hawk  continued  its  attempts  until  they 
reached  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  when  the  cat  disap- 
peared under  the  sidewalk.'  If  it  catches  a  mouse  that  proves 
to  be  lousy  and  poor,  it  will  leave  it  and  seek  another." 

The  following  quotations  from  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher's 
work  (Bull.  No.  3,  U.  S.  Agr.  Depart.),  shows  the  great 
fondness  this  hawk  has  for  insect  food: 

"The  subject  of  the  food  of  this  hawk  is  one  of  great  in- 
terest, and  considered  in  its  economic  bearings  is  one  that 
should  be  carefully  studied.  The  Sparrow  Hawk  is  almost  ex- 
clusively insectivorous,  except  when  insect  food  is  difficult  to 
obtain.  In  localities  where  grasshoppers  and  crickets  are 
abundant  these  hawks  congregate,  often  in  moderate  sized 
flocks,  and  gorge  themselves  continuously.  Rarely  do  they 
touch  any  other  form  of  food  until,  either  by  the  advancing 
season  or  other  natural  causes,  Uie  grasshopper  crop  is  so 
lessened  that  their  hunger  cannot  be  appeased  without  undue 
exertion.  Then  other  kinds  of  insects  and  other  forms  of  life 
contribute  to  their  fare;  and  beetles,  spiders,  mice,  shrews, 
small  snakes,  lizards  or  even  birds  may  be  required  to  bring 
up  the  balance.  In  snm(>  places  in  the  west  and  SDUth  telegraph 
lines  pass  for  miles  through  treeless  plains  and  savannas;  for 
lack  of  better  places  the  Sparrow  Hawks  often  use  these  poles 
for  resting  places,  from  which  they  make  short  trips  to  pick 
up   a   grasshopper   or   mouse,   which   they   carry    back   to   their 


218 

perch.     At  times,   when  giusshoppeis  are  abundant,  such  a  line 
of  poles  is  pretty  well  occupied  by  these  hawks. 

"A  dozen  or  more  stomachs  collected  by  Mr.  Charles  W. 
Richmond,  in  Gallatin  county,  Montana,  during-  the  latter  part 
of  August  and  early  part  of  September,  1888,  ♦  *  *  contained 
little  else  than  grasshoppers  and  crickets." 

GRASSHOPPERS  A  FAVORITE  FOOD. 

"Mr.  W.  B.  Hall,  of  Wakeman,  Ohio,  writes:  ♦  *  * 
'The  Sparrow  Hawk  is  a  most  persistent  enemy  of  the  grass- 
hopper tribe.  While  the  so-called  hawk  law  was  in  force  in 
Ohio  I  was  township  clerk  in  my  native  village  and  issued  cer- 
tificates to  the  number  of  eighty-six,  forty-six  being  for  the 
Sparrow  Hawk.  I  examined  the  stomachs  and  found  forty- 
five  of  them  to  contain  the  remains  of  grasshoppers  and  the 
elytra  of  beetles,  while  the  remaining  one  contained  the  fur 
and  bones  of  a  meadow  mouse.'  " 

"Mr.  W.  E.  Saunders  writes  from  London,  Canada:  "Spar- 
row Hawks  are  one  of  our  best  grasshopper  destroyers;  four 
out  of  every  five  I  have  killed  contained  grasshoppers  alone.' 
The  following  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  H.  W.  Henshaw  substan- 
tiates what  we  have  said  in  regard  to  its  fondness  for  grass- 
hoppers: 'It  finds  *  *  *  an  abundant  supply  of 
game  in  the  shape  of  small  insectivorous  birds,  but  more  es- 
pecially does  its  food  consist  of  the  various  kinds  of  coleopter- 
ous insects  and  grasshoppers,  of  which  it  destroys  multitudes. 
In  fact,  this  last  item  is  the  most  important  of  all,  and  where 
these  insects  are  abundant  I  have  never  seen  them  have  re- 
course to  any  other  kind  of  food'  (Explor.  West  of  100th  Merid., 
Wheeler,  Vol.  V,  1875,  p.   414)." 

"And  subsequently  the  same  author  writes:  'The  west  side 
of  Chewaukan  VaTIey  has  suffered  severely  from  a  visitation 
of  that  scourge  of  the  western  farmer,  the  grasshoppers.  Here 
in  August  Sparrow  Hawks  had  assembled  in  hundreds  and 
were  holding  high  carnival,  and  although  in  instances  like  tlie 
present  their  numlbers  proved  wholly  insufficient  to  coiic 
against  the  vast  myriads  of  these  destructive  insects,  yet  the 
work  of  the  Sparrow  Hawk  is  by  no  means  so  insignificant 
that  it  should  not  be  remembered  to  his  credit  and  earn  him 
well  merited  protection.  His  food  consists  almost  entirely  f)f 
grasshoppers  when  they  are  to  be  had,  and  as  his  appetite  ap- 
Ijears  never  to  become  satiated,  the  aggregate  in  numbers 
which  are  annually  destroyed  by  him  must  be  enormous.'  (Ap- 
pendix O.  O.,  of  Annual  Report  of  Chief  of  Eng.,  U.  S.  A.  for  79, 
p.  314)." 

"In  the  vicinity  of  Washington,  D  C,  remarkable  as  it  may 
appear  to  those  who  have  not  interested  themselves  spec'ally 
in  the  matter,  it  is  the  exception  not  to  find  grasshopprs  or 
crickets  in  the  stomach  of  Sparrow  Hawks,  even  when  killed 
during  the  months  of  January  and  February,  unless  the  ground 
is  covered  with  snow." 

"It  is  wonderful  how  the  birds  can  discover  the  half-con- 
oealed  semi-dormant  insects,  which  in  color  so  closely  resemble 
the  ground  or  dry  grass.  Whether  they  are  attracted  by  a 
slight  movement  or  distinguish  the  form  of  their  prey  as  it  slta 


219 

motlonlesss,  it  is  difficult  to  prove,  but  in  any  case  tlie  acute- 
ness  of  their  vision  is  of  a  character  which  we  are  unable  to 
appreciate.  Feeding  on  insects  so  exclusively  as  they  do,  it  is 
to  be  presumed  that  they  destroy  a  considerable  number  ot 
beneficial  kinds,  as  well  as  spiders,  which  they  find  in  the 
same  localities  as  the  grasshoppers.  However,  examination 
of  their  stomach  contents  show  the  number  to  be  very  small 
compared  with  that  of  the  noxious  species,  that  it  is  hardly 
worth  considering." 

"After  the  several  frosts  of  autumn  and  in  winter,  when  in- 
sect life  is  at  its  lowest  ebb,  the  Sparrow  Hawks  devote  more 
time  to  the  capture  of  mice  and  small  birds.  As  a  rule,  the 
birds  which  they  capture  at  this  time  are  ground-dwellinj; 
species,  which  simulate  the  movements  of  mice  by  running  in 
or  about  the  di-y  grass  and  weeds.  They  are  mostly  sparrows, 
more  or  less  seed-eating,  and  hence  not  among  the  species  most 
beneficial  to  the  agriculturist.  At  this  season  it  is  common 
to  see  Sparrow  Hawks  sitting  on  the  poles  over  hay  stacks  oi 
stationed  where  they  ean  command  a  good  view  of  the  sur- 
roundings of  a  hay  mow  or  grain  crib,  leady  at  any  moment 
to  drop  upon  the  mouse  which  is  unfortunate  enough  to  show 
itself.  In  this  way  they  manage  to  destroy  a  vast  number  nf 
mice  during  the  colder  months." 

"The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  from  W.  P.  Mc- 
Glothlin,  of  Dayton,  Washington:  'There  is  a  small  hawk  here 
called  the  Sparrow  Hawk.  It  com<^s  about  the  1st  of  March 
and  leaves  with  its  young  about  -August  1st.  On  their  arrival 
they  are  in  large  flocks  and  seem  hungry.  I  have  had  a  num- 
ber follow  my  team  all  day  long,  and  even  alight  ?or  a  moment 
iin  the  plow  beam.  When  a  mouse  was  unearthed  it  was  cap- 
tured in  an  instant  and  quickly  killed.  The  hawks  seem  tu 
know  just  when  their  victims  are  dead.  They  settle  on  some- 
thing suitable  to  their  fancy  and  commence  eating  the  eyes 
and  then  soon  finish.  For  two  weeks  this  mouse  catching 
goes  on.  I  have  sometimes  seen  them  chase  and  catch  small 
birds.'  "  (Bull.  No.  3,  Hawks  anS  Owls,  by  Dr.  A.  K.  Fishei- 
1893.) 

When  breeding,  the  Sparrow  Hawk  has  been  known 
to  captnre  voung  chickens;  their  depredations,  ho-w- 
ever,  in  this  direction  are  not  worthy  of  consideration 
when  compared  with  the  great  benefits  the  hawks  do 
by  destroying  injnrious  insects  and  mice. 

FED    MAINLY    ON    MICE    AND    INSECTS 

The  stomach  contents  of  fo-rty-oight  Sparrow  Hawk.-- 
captured  in  Chester  county.  Pa.,  and  examined  by  the 
writer  are  given  in  the  following  table: 


220 


Date  of 
Capture. 


July, 

July, 

Apr.  3, 
Dec.  29, 
Dec.  28, 

Dec.  29. 
Jan.  17, 
Feb.  8, 
Dec.    1, 

Dec.  3. 
Dec.    9, 

Dec.  9, 
Dec.  16, 


Sov.  26, 

Feb.    7, 


1886. 


18S6, 
1880, 
188«, 


188G, 
1886, 
1886, 


1886, 
1886, 


1886, 
1886, 


Sparrow. 
Song  sparrow, 
Tree   sparrow. 


Meadow   mouse. 

Mouse. 

.Moii.oe       


Feathers  of  .small 
bird 

Snow   bird. 

Feathers  of  small 
bird,    


1S86. 
1887, 


Jan.  17, 
Jan.    6, 


1887, 
1S85, 

March.     188-5, 


Tree    sparrow. 


Jan. 
Jan. 
Dec.  20, 
Jan.   10, 
Feb.    9, 

Jan.   13, 

Jan.   13. 

Jan.   2.j, 
Jan.  25, 

Jan.   25, 
Jan.   27, 

Feb.    1, 

Feb. 

Feb. 


ISs , . 
1856. 


Song  sparrow. 


Wliite-f  ooted  mouse. 
White-footed  mouse. 
.Mr-iidow    mouse,    ... 


Meadow        mouse, 
two  shrews. 


MoaUow   mouse, 
Meadow  mouse, 


Meadow   mou;=€,    .. 
Meadow   mouse. 
Meadow   mouse,    .. 


1SS7. 
18S7. 


1837, 
1887. 


House    mouse,    . 
Meadow    mouse, 


Tree   sparrow. 


Nov.  2.'), 
July  3, 
Dec.  50. 
Dec.  16. 
Jan.  17. 
Oct.  27, 
Deo.  23. 
Jan.  12, 
Jan.  17, 
^f.lJ.  24. 
I''eb.  ifi. 
.Tan.  1, 
Aug.  25, 
July. 
Jan.  16, 
Feb.  7, 


18S6 
18S6 
1879 
1879 
1881 
1!;80 
1S80 
1881 
1881 
1880, 
18.^0 
1880 
4876 
1879, 
1879, 
1887, 


House   mouse,    . 
Meadow   mouse, 


Meadow  mouse, 
Meaduw   mouse. 


White-footed  mouse. 
Two  meadow  mice. 


i 

J    i    

Meadow   laik. 
1.       Snow    bird 

Mice. 

).    1   Meadow  lark 

Mice 

Mice. 

.                   1    .Mice. 

.Snow    bird. 


Mice. 
Bat. 
Mice. 


Insects,  Etc. 


Grasshopper     and 

cricket. 
Grasshopper     and 

cricket. 
Caterpillars 

Crlckels  aii.l 

grasshoppeiB 


Grasshopper.s    ati. 

larvae. 
Beetles. 


Crickets. 

Crickets,  caterpil 
lars,  spider. 

Caterpillars,  spi- 
■  h  r. 

Grasshoppers,  lar- 
vae. 

8   larvae,    spider. 
I..arvae. 

Grasshoppers, 
beetles,    laivue 

Grasphopperf',  lar- 
vae. 

Grasshoppers, 
beetles,    laivue. 

Crickets,    larvae. 

Grasshoppers, 
larvae,    spiders. 

Caterpillar,  crick 
ets,    spider. 


Caterpillars. 

grasshopper.", 

spiders. 
Insects. 
Insects. 


insects. 
In.sects. 


Grasshopper. 

Insects. 


'alertilllar. 


FISH    HAWK 


221 


FISH  HAWK. 

r;iii(liou  haliaetus  caroliueusis. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Wings  long-  and  pointed;  second  and  third  quills  longest. 
Three  first  primaries  emarginate  on  inner  webs;  bill  stout  with 
a  very  long  hook  and  sharp  end;  feathers  oily  to  resist  water, 
those  of  head  lengthened  and  pointed;  thighs  and  little  of  the 
front  parts  of  tarsi  are  covered  with  short  feathers  which  lie 
close;  legs,  tarsi  and  feet  very  strong  and  robust;  claws  all 
?ame  length,  very  large  and  sharp.  The  tarsus  all  round  cov- 
ei'ed  with  rough  scales;  toes  padded  below  and  covered  with 
numerous  hard-pointed  projections  to  aid  in  holding  their  slip- 
pery prej-. 

Adult. — Upper  parts  dark  brown  or  grayish-brown;  most  of 
head,  neck  and  under  parts  white  (chest  in  female  and  some- 
times in  male,  is  spotted  with  brown),  the  tail  usually  paler 
than  the  back,  is  tipped  with  white,  and  has  six  or  seven 
dusky  bais.  The  immature,  very  similar  to  adults,  have  upper 
parts  spotted  with  pale  reddish-brown  or  white.  Iris  in  some 
specimens  reddish,  but  mostly  yellow;  bill  and  claws  blue- 
black;  tarsi  and  toes  graj'ish-blue.  Length  (female)  about  25 
inches;  extent  about  52. 

JECabitat.—^ ovth  America,  from  Hudson's  bay  and  Alaska 
south  to  the  West  Indies  and  northern  South  America.  Breeds 
sparingly  in   Pennsylvania. 

The  Fish  Hawk,  although  most  numerous  about  the 
sea  coast,  is  quite  frequently  met  with  along  our  large 
rivers.  This  bird  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  generally 
about  the  last  week  in  March,  and  remains  sometimes 
as  late  as  the  first  oa*  November. 

THK  XEST  AND  KGGS. 

Although  the  Fish  Hawk  commonly  rears  its  young 
along  the  sea  coast,  it  is  frecjuently  found  breeding 
near  the  borders  of  large  rivers  or  in  the  vicinity  of 
large  inland  lakes.  The  nest,  a  particularly  bulky 
structure  (from  four  to  eight  feet  in  diameter)  com- 
posed chiefly  of  sticks,  and  lined  with  sea- weeds, 
grasses,  etc.,  is  built  usually  on  a  large  tree,  near  the 
water.  In  Florida  T  have  found  eggs  and  young  of 
this  bird  early  in  March.  This  hawk  is  a  regular  but 
by  no  means  common  breeder  in  Pennsylvania.  Th»' 
nost  of  this  bird  mny  bo  found  almost  every  year  along 


222 

the  Susquehanna  river  and  about  some  of  the  larger 
lakes  in  the  noitheastern  sectio-ns  of  the  State. 

A  GOOD  P'lSUKHMAN. 

During  the  spring,  summer  and  aulunm  months- 
these  hawks,  generally  singly,  but  sometimes  in  pairs, 
if  not  disturbed,  will  regularly  visit  mill  dams  and  fish 
ponds  where  the}^  can  secure  their  finny  prey. 

Hon.  Hiram  Peoples,  of  New  Providence,  Lancaster 
county,  who  devotes  much  attention  to  lish  culture, 
laising  large  quantities  of  bass  and  gold-fish  for  the 
markets,  informs  me  he  loses  a  great  many  fish  from 
visits  of  the  Fish  Hawk.  In  fact,  he  says  the  depreda- 
tions of  these  hawks  became  so  numerous  that  he  of- 
fered a  bounty  of  fifty  cents  each  for  every  one  which 
was  killed  on  his  premises. 

Kingfishers  also  annoy  Mr.  Peo[»les  by  stealing  his 
lish,  but  he  easily  disposes  of  lliese  unwelcome  visitors 
by  set-ting  steel  traps  on  stakes  or  posts  about  his 
ponds.  Last  year  he  caught,  by  this  means,  twenty- 
four  kingfishers. 

THEY  LIVE  ON  FISH. 

The  writer  has  examined  the  stomach  contents  of 
twenty-three  of  these  hawks  captured  in  Pennsylvania, 
Xew  Jersey,  Virginia,  Maryland,  Delaware  and  Florida, 
and  found  only  the  remains  of  different  species  of  fish. 
It  may  be,  as  some  writers  assert,  that  the  Fish  Hawk 
when  breeding  subsists  in  part  on  reptiles  and  batra- 
chians;  however  my  opinion  is  that  these  birds  never 
touch  other  food  unless  they  are  unable  to  catch  fish. 
The  Osprey.  as  this  hawk  is  often  called,  does  not,  as 
some  farmers  believe,  disturb  domestic  fowls,  nor  does 
it  molest  wild  birds.  Trrackles  sometimes  Imild  their 
nests  in  the  interstices  of  the  ('(immodious  nest  of  the 
rish  Hawk. 


223 


THE  OWLS. 

Ten  representatives  of  the  families  Strigidae  and  Bubonidae. 
are  credited  to  the  fauna  of  Pennsylvania. 

Owls,  like  the  eagles,  hawks  and  other  diurnal  birds  of  prey, 
embrace  numerous  species  of  which,  it  is  stated,  about  two 
hundred  occur  in  different  parts  of  the  world. 

The  incalculable  benefits  conferred  by  this  group  of  birds, 
particularly  the  smaller  species,  to  the  husbandman,  are  gen- 
erally overlooked.  This  is  largely  due,  perhaps,  t<;i  the  fact 
that  these  birds  prey  extensively  on  mice  and  insects  which 
become  most  active  at  night  time  when  the  tiller  of  the  soil  is 
resting  fiom   the  arduous  labors  of  his  calling. 

Some  are  common  residents  in  all  parts  of  the  State;  others 
breed  in  boreal  regions  and  are  found  with  us  as  irregular 
or  accidental  winter  visitants.  The  little  screech  owl,  dressed 
in  his  coat  of  red  or  gray,  or  a  mixture  of  both,  is  one  of  the 
most  common  and  best  known  birds  of  this  group.  He  is 
found  in  cities  and  towns,  as  well  aa  in  the  rural  districts.  In 
the  hollow  limbs  of  trees  in  old  apple  orchards  he  delights  to 
conceal  himself  in  daytime,  and  also  to  rear  his  family.  He 
is  often  found  about  barns  and  other  buildings  where  he  goes 
in  the  daytime  to  hide,  or  frequently  at  night  to  catch  mice, 
one  of  his  main  articles  of  livelihood.  The  Great  Horned  Owl 
inhabits  the  woods,  but  on  the  approach  of  night  he  goes  out 
In  quest  of  food.  His  visits  to  the  poultry  yard  are  so  common 
that  he  also  is  familiar  to  residents  of  the  country,  where  he 
is  usually  known  from  his  loud  cries  as  "Hoot  Owl."  The  Barn 
Owl,  a  southern  bird,  breeds  sparingly  and  most  frequently  in 
the  southern  parts  of  our  State.  The  Snowy,  which  rears  Its 
family  in  the  Arctic  wilds,  is  found  here  only  as  an  irregular 
winter  sojourner.  Some  persons  not  versed  in  ornithological 
matters,  name  both  the  Snowy  Owl  and  Barn  Owl  "White" 
or  "Snowy"  Owls.  Such  local  names  used  to  designate  the  Barn 
O^'l   are   confusing  and  should   be  discarded. 

MICE  DEVOURING  SPECIES. 

Owls,  other  than  the  Long-eared  and  Short-eared  species,  are 
usually  observed  singly;  those  that  breed  here,  of  course,  are 
often  during  the  breeeding  period  seen  in  pairs  and  with  their 
young.  In  v.'inter  Long-eared  and  Short-eared  owls  are  found 
generally  in  flocks.  T.,ong-eared  owls  bi'eed  in  many  localities: 
In  fact  quite  generally  throughout  the  State,  and  owing  to  the 
circumstances  that  sometimes  they  roost  in  the  daytime,  in 
cedar  treea,  they  are  termed  by  many  "Cedar"  Owls.  The 
Short-eared  owls  frequent  meadows,  swamps  and  grassy  fields, 
Hunters  who  most  frequently  come  across  these  birds  in  the 
fall  and  winter  time  know  them  as  "marsh"  or  "swamp"  owls. 
The  Short-eared  Owl  is  common  in  winter  and  is  said  to  breed 
here  in  rare  instances.  Both  the  Long  and  Short-eared  owls 
should  be  protected  by  the  farmer  and  fruit  grower,  as  theso 
birds  live  almost  exclusively  on  mice. 


224 


THE    BARRED    OR    "RAIN    OWL." 

The  Barred  Owl  is  a  resident  and  breeds  generally  through- 
out the  State;  it  is  most  numerous  in  the  mountainous  and 
wooded  districts.  In  different  parts  of  Wayne,  Susquehanna 
and  Wyoming  counties,  where  four  or  five  years  ago  the  Barred 
Owl  wa,9  very  common,  it  is  called  "Rain"  Owl,  as  it  was  as- 
serted its  dismal  cry  was  most  frequently  heard  before 
a  stoim.  To  distinguish  an  owl  fiuin  a  hawk,  remember  the 
'iwj's  eviy  :\rr  situated  in  (lie  I'lnnt  "(  ihf  head  and  look  for- 
ward, while  the  hawk's  eyes  are  directed  to  either  side.  The 
extremely  soft  and  downy  plumage  of  owls  is  such  that  their 
flight  is  almost  noiseless.  During  the  daylight  we  usually 
find  them  concealed  in  hollow  trees  or  dense  foliage.  While  it 
is  generally  an  accepted  fact  that  owls  are  nocturnal  in  their 
habits,  it  is  not  true  that  they  are  exclusively  so.  The  Snowy 
and  Hawk  Owls  are  of  a  decidedly  diurnal  nature,  and  ir 
cloudy  weather  or  in  early  twilight  it  is  not  unusual  to  see 
the  Great  Horned  Owl  sally  forth  in  quest  of  prey. 

PREFER  TO   KILL  THEIR  OWN  FOOD. 

Owls,  unlike  certain  other  birds  of  prey,  never,  it  is  stated, 
unless  reduced  to  the  utmost  extremity,  feed  on  carrion,  but 
subsist  on  such  food  as  they  are  able  to  kill.  Their  dietfry, 
although  variable  with  locality  and  circumstances,  consists 
mainly  of  small  quadrupeds  (principally  mice),  insects,  chiefly 
beetles  and  gTasshoppers,  and  some  few  of  the  smaller  kinds 
of  wild  birds.  With  the  exception  of  the  Great  Horned  Owl 
and  perhaps  the  Barred,  all  the  owls  occurring  regularly  in  this 
Commonwealth  deserve  the  fullest  protection  which  can  be 
given  to  them  by  the  farmer  and  horticulturist. 

The  owls,  like  many  other  birds  of  prey,  eject  from  the 
mouth  in  small  ball-like  masses,  the  indigestible  portions  of 
their  food,  such  as  hair,  bones,  etc.  These  little  balls  or  pel- 
lets are  frequently  to  be  found  in  great  quantities  about  lo- 
calities where  these  birds  resort  during  the  daytime.  The  eggs 
are  white,  nearly  round,  and  commonly  number  from  three  to 
five.  Owlsi  deposit  their  eggs  in  hollow  trees  or  in  the  deserted 
nests  of  hawks  and  crows.     Their  cries  are  loud  and  dismal. 

The  general  form  of  owls  is  short  and  heavy;  the  head  and 
eyes  are  usually  very  large;  bill  very  much  like  a  hawk's,  but 
never  toothed,  and  often  almost  hidden  by  long  bristle-like 
feathers;  eyes  encircled  by  a  ring  of  radiating  bristly  feathers; 
tarsi  (shins),  and  in  some  species  toes  also,  densely  feathered. 

In  some  species  the  heads  are  furnished  with  long  erectile 
tufts  of  feathers,  which  are  commonly  cyilled  horns;  ears  in 
some  species   are  remarkably   large. 


BARN      OW  L  . 


BARN  OWL. 

Strix  piatincola. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  of  female  about  18  inches;  extent  of  wings  about 
43.  The  male  is  rather  smaller;  no  ear  tufts;  facial  disc  well 
developed  but  not  circular;  eyes  black  and  rather  small;  lower 
part  of  long  tarsus  (shin)  has  short  stiff  feathers;  toes  nearly 
naked,  but  with  some  hair-like  feathers;  feathers  of  body 
downy.     Colors  brownish,  ashy  and  white. 

Habitat.— Warmer  parts  of  North  Carolina,  from  the  Mid- 
dle States,  Ohio  valley,  and  California  southward  through 
Mexico.  Resident  but  not  common  in  southern  portions  of 
Pennsylvania. 

The  Baiu  Owl  because  of  its  supposed  resemblance 
to  a  monkey  is  frequently  called  "Monkey-faced  Owl." 
This  bird  is  highly  beneficial  to  the  farmer  as  it  sub- 
sists chiefly  on  mice  and  rats.  It  never  commits  dep- 
redations in  the  poultry  yard  and  rarely  does  it  de- 
stroy insectivorous  birds.  Notwithstanding  the  good 
this  bird  does  by  devouring  legions  of  voracious  ro- 
dents, it,  in  common  with  other  species  of  the  owl 
tribe,  is  destroyed  by  farmers  and  sportsmen  who  be- 
lieve they  are  doing  that  which  will  be  a  help  to  the 
IxMiltry  and  game  interests. 

Tills  species  breeds  regularly  in  Chester,  York,  Lan- 
caster, Cumberland  and  Dauphin  counties  of  this 
State;  and  no  doubt  in  other  counties  also.  However, 
from  the  best  information  I  can  obtain  it  is  a  rather 
rare  visitor  north  of  the  southern  part  o-f  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  in  some  sections,  it  is  resident. 

THE  NEST  AND  EGGS. 

I  have  never  found  the  nest  of  this  species,  concern- 
ing which  Prof.  Gentry  writes  as  follows: 

"In  the  selection  of  a  place  for  nesting  purposes,  these  owls 
15-11 


226 

vary  in  different  localities.  In  eastern  Pennsylvania,  generally 
a  hollow  tree,  chiefly  an  aiipU'  or  an  oak  is  chosen,  but  oc- 
casionally a  dilapidated  and  unoccupied  barn;  but  mort' 
rarely,  an  occupied  building  in  close  proximity  to  man.  When 
the  former  situations  are  chosen,  the  hollow  Is  lined  with  a 
few  diied  grasses  and  feathers,  although  instances  are  not 
unfrequently  met  with  where  the  eggs  are  deposited  upon  bare 
bottom.  In  the  latter  places  a  few  rude  sticks  constitute  a 
framework  which  is  lined  with  a  few  fine  grasses  and  feathers. 
It  is  deposited  upon  a  short  timber  in  a  somewhat  inaccessible 
part  of  the  building.  Nesting  ordinarily  takes  place  early  in 
March,  although  we  have  observed  newly-built  nests  in  the 
latter  part  of  February.  Oviposition  commences  about  the  sec- 
ond week  of  March.  The  number  of  eggs  laid  varies  from  three 
to  four,  very  rarely  more.  *  «  *  rpj^g  eggs  are  some- 
what sub-spherical,  scarcely  more  pointed  at  one  extremity 
than  the  other,  unless  in  exceptional  cases;  of  a  bluish-white 
color,  and  measure  1.67  inches  in  length,  and  1.37  in  width. 
They  vary,  however,   in  size  in  different   localities." 

FEEDS  ON  MICE. 

Of  fifteen  «toinaehs  of  these  birds  examiued  by  the 
vvi'iter.  fourteen  contained  small  rodents,  principally 
mice,  and  some  few  insects:  the  feathers  of  a  sparrow 
and  bones  of  a  small  mammal  were  found  in  the  other 
stomach.  Dr.  Fisher,  in  the  summer  of  1890,  examined 
200  pellets  at  the  nesting  place  of  a  pair  of  these  owls, 
in  one  of  the  towers  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 
Washington,  D.  C,  and  found  a  total  of  453  skulls  of 
the  following  mammals,  and  one  Vesper  Sparrow:  "225 
meadow  mice;  2,  pine  mice:  179,  house  mice;  20,  rats: 
0,  jumping  micf^;  20,  slirews;  1,  star-nosHd  mole." 

Sucli  t'Aidcnce  as  this  certainly  proves  the  import- 
ance of  protecting  these  owls  about  our  promises. 


SHORT   EA^RED    owl 


SHORT-EAKEDOWL. 
Asio  accipitrinus. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Ear-tufts  very  short  and  inconspicuous;  entire  plumage  vary- 
ing from  buff  to  buffy-whiite;  every  featlaer  on  tlie  upper  parts 
with  darlc  brown  stripes;  under  parts  paler;  often  nearly  white 
on  abdomen;   bill  and  claws  dark.     Iris  yellow. 

Female  measures  about  17  inches  in  length;  extent  about  4o 
inches. 

Habitat.— North  America  at  large;  nearly  cosmopolitan.  Com- 
mon winter  resident  in  Pennsylvania. 

The  common  name  of  Marsh  Owl  is  quite  appropri- 
ate, as  this  species  frequents  principally  during  its  so 
journ  in  this  region  marshy  districts  and  grass  fields. 
Oftentimes  small  parties  of  five,  eight  or  ten  individ- 
uals will  be  found  in  grassy  retreats,  where  meadow 
mice  are  abundant.  Occasionally  flocks  of  these  o^wls. 
numbering  twenty-five  or  thirty  each,  congregate  in  a 
a  locality  where  food  is  abundant  to  spend  the  win- 
ter; coninionh%  however,  colonies  of  this  size  are  sel- 
dom met  with  in  this  State.  Possibly  this  species  oc- 
curs as  a  rare  breeder  in  favorable  localities  in  Penn- 
sylvania, but  so  far  as  my  experience  goes  it  is  found 
here  simply  as  a  winter  resident,  arriving  from  more 
northern  latitudes  early  in  November  and  departing  in 
April. 

KILLED  TO  SATISFY  VANITY. 

This  species  is  of  the  greatest  benefit  to  the 
farmer  and  fruit  grower,  as  it  subsists  during  its  resi- 
dence here  almost  wholly  upon  destructive  rodents, 
especially  mice.  A  colony  of  Short-eared  Owls,  if  left 
unmolested,  will  in  n  short  time  destroy  all  the  mice 
in  a  hirgc  niMjidow.  I>r.  Fislici-  has  found  ;is  many  as 
six  mice  in  tlu'  stomach  of  a  singk'  owl,  and  I  lie  writer 


228 

liiis  (;ik('ii  fciir  mice  from  the  stoiuacli  of  one  of  tliese 
biids.  Some  few  yeais  aj^o  when  stiilltMl  owi-liead.s 
were  fashionable  ornauienls  for  ladies  hats,  mauy  of 
tliese  uwls  were  slain  by  hiiuters  in  the  employ  of 
niillinei's  and  taxidermists,  on  tlie  farms  of  some  of 
my  acquaintances,  who  afterwards  informed  me  they 
were  coLvinced  that  the  marked  increase  of  field  mice 
on  their  premises  was  due  to  the  destruction  of  these 
and  other  birds  of  prey,  such  as  hawks  (Sparrow,  Red- 
tailed,  Red-sliouldered  and  Rough-legged),  which  were 
killed  by  hunters  for  the  bounty  at  that  time  allowed 
by  this  State. 

The  stomach  contents  of  thirty-five  Short-eared  Owls 
examined  by  the  writer  during  the  past  ten  years  re- 
vealed chiefly  field  mice,  a  few  birds  (sparrows)  and 
some  insects,  beetles  and  grasshoppers. 

These  owls  were  captured  in  Pennsjivania  during 
the  winter  season.  Two  had  remains  of  sparrows  in 
their  stomachs  and  three  contained  the  insects  above 
mentioned  in  conjunction  with  the  hair  and  bones  of 
small  rodents;  the  remaining  thirty  owls  had  only  mice 
or  shrews  in  their  stomachs.  Dr.  Fisher  states  that 
it  is  quite  exceptional  for  this  owl  to  feed  upon  birds, 
and  further  adds  that  of  ninety  stomachs  examined  at 
the  National  Department  of  Agriculture  but  ten  con- 
tained the  remains  O'f  birds. 

THEY  DEVOUR  LEGIONS  OF  NOXIOUS  RODENTS. 

The  following-  important  evidence  of  the  economic  value  of 
the  Short-eared  Owl  is  fiom  the  fourth  edition  of  Yarrall's 
British  Birds  (Vol.  IV,  p.  165):  "Undoubtedly,  field  mice,  and 
especially  those  of  the  short-tailed  group  or  voles,  are  their 
chief  objects  of  prey,  and  when  these  animals  increase  in  an 
extraordinary  and  unaccountable  w^ay,  as  they  sometimes  do. 
so  as  to  become  extremely  mischievous,  owls,  particularly  of 
this  species,  flock  to  devour  them.  Thus  there  are  records 
of  a  'sore  plague  of  strange  mice'  in  Kent  and  Essex  in  the 
year  1580  or  15.91,  and  again  in  the  county  last  mentioned  in 
1647.  In  1754  the  same  thing  is  said  to  have  occurred  at  Hil- 
gay,  lu-ar  Pownham  Market,  in  Norfolk,  while  within  the  pres- 


229 

ent  century  the  Forest  of  Dean,  in  Gloucestershire  and  some 
parts  of  Scotland  have  been  similarly  infested.  In  all  these 
cases  owls  are  mentioned  as  thronging  to  the  spot  and  ren- 
dering the  greatest  service  in  extirpating  the  pests.  The  like 
has  also  been  observed  in  Scandinavia  during  the  wonderful 
irruptions  of  lemmings  and  other  small  rodents  to  which  sume 
of  the  districts  are  liable,  and  it  would  appear  that  the  Short- 
eared  Owl  is  the  species  which  plays  a  principal  part  in  get- 
ting I'id  of  the  destructive  horde."  (From  Fisher's  Bull. 
No.  3.) 

The  information  contained  on  the  preceding  pages 
concerning  tlie  food  habits  of  the  Short-eared  Owl  cer 
tainly  cannot  fail  to  show  that  this  species  is  highly 
serviceable  and  justly  merits  the  good  will  of  the 
farmer  and  orcliai'dist. 


'JXO 


LONG  EAKKI)  OWL. 
Asio  Wilson ian us. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Ear  tufts  of  eisht  or  ton  feathers,  arc  Iohk  and  conspicuous; 
eyes  yellow  and  quite  small.  Tapper  parts  dusky,  mottled 
with  gray,  fulvous  and  brownish  black;  abdomen  white;  under 
parts  genei^ally  grayish-white,  with  transverse  and  longitudinal 
stiipes  of  black,  brown  and  reddish-brown;  feet  and  legs  red- 
dish-brown and  upspotted;  bill  and  claws  black. 

Female  measures  about  15  inches  in  length;  extent  of  wings 
about  38.     Male  rather  smaller. 

Habitat. — Temperate  North  America.  Resident  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  tliese  birds  oftentimes  con- 
ceal themselves  during  the  daytime  in  cedar  trees,  the 
local  appellation  of  "Cedar  Owl"  has  arisen.  The 
Long-eared  owl  is  a  resident  and  one  of  the  most 
abundant  of  the  owl  tribe  in  this  State.  While  mosl 
owls,  in  this  region  at  least,  usually  lead  a  solitary 
life  or  associate  in  pairs,  we  find  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  to  be  social  and  gregarious,  associating  often 
in  i>arties  of  from  twelve  to  twenty-five  individuals. 
In  winter  if  not  molested  they  frequently  take  up  a 
residence  in  the  dark  retreats  furnished  by  the  numer 
oils  coniferous  trees  growing  around  tlie  habitations 
of  man. 

DESIRABLE   VISITORS. 

In  relation  to  a  party  of  tliese  o\\]s  l)i-.  Win.  K. 
Stavely,  Lahaska,  Pa.,  says: 

"For  over  twenty  years  I  have  had  congregated  in  my  lawn 
from  fifty  to  seventy-five  owls.  They  are  peaceable  and  quiet; 
only  on  raie  occasions  would  you  know  one  was  about,  oii 
dull  days  and  foggy  evenings  tho.\-  weie  flying  about  in  all  di- 
rections. Xo\er  in  all  that  time  ha\c  I  missed  any  poultry 
or  ha\e  they  inflicted  any  injury  on  anything  of  value.  The 
first  I  noticed  of  their  presence  was  the  discovery  of  quite  a 
pile  of  what  appeared  t(->  be  mice  hair  and  bones,  and  on  Inves- 
tlgatiun  found  the  Norway  fir  was  the  loosiing  place  of  to  in^ 


AMERICAN    LONG    EARED  OWL 


231 

at  that  time  a  vast  luiinbei  of  owls.  They  had  ejected  the 
bolus  of  hair  and  bones  apparently  of  an  army  of  tree-eating 
destructive  mice,  aiding  the  fruit  grower  against  one  of  the 
worst  and  most  inveterate  enemies.  *  *  *  Their  merits 
would  fill  sheets;  the  demerits  nil." 

THE   NEST   AND   EGGS. 

Although  it  is  true  tliat  Loug-eared  owls  at  times  do 
ronsti'uct  their  own  nests,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that 
these  birds,  in  this  region  at  least,  prefer  to  occupy 
the  deserted  nests  oi  other  birds.  I  have  on  several 
occasions  found  these  owls  breeding  and  always  ob- 
served that  they  occupied  the  abandoned  nest*  of 
crows  or  hawks. 

Audubon  says: 

"The  Long-eareil  Owl  is  careless  as  to  the  situation  in  which 
its  young  are  to  be  reared,  and  generally  accommodates  itself 
With  the  abandoned  nest  of  some  other  bird  that  proves  of 
sufficient  size,  whether  it  be  high  or  low,  in  the  fissure  of  a 
rock  or  on  the  ground.  Sometimes,  however,  it  makes  a  nest 
itself;  and  this  I  have  found  to  be  the  case  in  one  instance 
near  the  Juniata  river,  in  Pennsylvania,  where  it  was  com- 
posed of  green  twigs,  with  the  leaflets  adhering,  and  lined 
with  fresh  grass  and  wool,   but  without  any  feathers." 

The  eggs  of  this  bird  vary  considerably  in  size;  a 
small  example  in  my  possession  measures  about  one 
and  one-half  inches  by  one  and  one-fourth  inches. 
From  three  to  five  eggs  are  usually  found  in  a  nest. 

A     BENEFICIAL    SPECIES. 

Like  the  two  previously  described  species  this  owl 
is  i)articularly  servicable  to  the  farmer  and  horticul- 
turist as  it  preys  almost  entirely  on  field  mice.  It 
never  disturbs  domestic  fowls  and  but  a  small  per- 
centage of  its  diet  is  made  up  of  small  birds. 

Notwithstanding  tlie  great  amount  of  good  which 
this  speciv'.s  does  in  keeping  in  check  the  hordes  of 
destructive  rodents  which  do  so  much  damage  in  the 


282 

j;iain  Ileitis  and  orchard,  tlu'iv  has,  uiilurl  uiialclv.  diii 
inj^-  recent  years  been  a  ^rcat  decrease  in  the  number  of 
these  birds  in  many  localities  in  Pennsylvania.  This 
diminulion,  I  judge,  is,  to  a  considerable  extent,  due 
10  the  fact  that  the  stuffed  lieads  of  these  harmless  and 
beneficial  owls  have  been  extensively  used  to  decorate 
ladies'  headgear.  Great  numbers  of  these  owls  were 
also  killed  for  bounties;  I  knew  one  hunter  who  shot 
in  one  week  over  twenty  of  these  birds  when  the 
bounty  act  was  in  fo-rce.  The  stomachs  of  thirteen  of 
this  lot  of  owls  were  examined  by  the  writer  and  they 
all  contained  only  the  remains  of  mice. 

WHAT  DIFFERENT  WRITERS   SAY  OF  ITS   FOOD. 

Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher  says: 

"The  Long-eared  Owl  is  une  of  our  most  beneficial  species, 
destroying-  vast  numbers  of  injurious  rodents  and  seldnm 
touching    insectivorous    birds." 

Audubon  writes: 

"It  preys  chiefly  on  quadrupeds  of  the  genus  Avicola,  and  in 
summer   destroys   many   beetles." 

* 

Mr.  H.  W.  Henshaw  remarks: 

"Their  food  consists  almost  exclusively  nf  field  mice,  of  which 
they  kill  vast  numbers,  a  fact  which  should  earn  them  the  pro- 
tection of  the  farmer." 


'*%^m 


5 

BARRED        OWL 


233 


HARKED  OWL. 

Syrnium  nebulosum. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Large  size;  no  ear  tufts;  general  color  deep  umber-brown 
and  buffy-whitish.  The  plumage  everywhere  barred  trans- 
versely except  on  the  belly,  where  the  stripes  run  lengthwise: 
bill  yellow;  eyes  brown-black.  Length  19  to  24  inches;  extent 
about  46  inches." — Fisher. 

Habitat.— Kafitern  United  States,  west  to  Minnesota  and 
Texas,  North  to  Nova  Scotia  and  Quebec.  Resident  in  Penn- 
sylvania. 

The  Barred  Owl  is  readily  distinguished  from  other 
species  by  its  large  size,  yellow-colored  bill  and  its 
black  eyes.  Barred  Owls  are  exceedingly  abundant 
in  many  of  the  southern  States,  where  they  are  kno-wn 
by  the  names  of  "Hoot  and  Swamp  Owls,"  In  Penn- 
sylvania this  owl  is  found  all  months  of  the  year,  and 
in  many  of  the  mountainous  and  heavy-wooded  regions 
it  is  the  most  common  of  all  the  owls. 

THE  NEST   AND   EGGS. 

The  Barred  Owl  lays  its  eggs  in  a  hollow  tree,  or  in  a 
deserted  nest  of  a  hawk  or  crow;  the  white  eggs  are  a 
little  under  tw'o  inches  long  by  about  one  and  three- 
quarters  wide.  The  Barred  and  Great  Horned  Owls 
are  the  only  species,  in  this  locality,  whose  depreda- 
tions in  the  poultry  yard  bring  them  to  the  notice  of 
the  farmer.  Unfortunately,  however,  the  hatred  to- 
wards these  two  birds  and  particularly  the  enmity 
against  Great  Horned  Owls,  has  brought  all  our  owls 
in  bad  favor;  the  farmer's  boy  and  s]>ortsman,  with 
few  exceptions,  let  no  opportunity  pass  to  pillage  an 
owl's  nest  or  slay  its  owners.  Tn  this  way.  there  aie 
annually  destroyed  large  iinnibcrs  of  tlu^  ScnM-ch, 
15*   II 


234 

Tyong-eared  and  Short-oai'od  species,  simply  because 
the  popular  idea  is  that  owls,  large  and  small,  prey 
only  on  ])oultry  and  game. 

MICE  AND  SMALL  GAME. 

Wilson  says,  although  mice  and  small  game  are  the 
most  usual  food  of  Barred  Owls,  they  sometimes  seize 
on  fowls,  partridues  and  young  rabbits. 

"The  leaned  Owl  subsists  principally  upon  small 
birds,  field  mice  and  reptiles.  He  is  frequently  seen, 
in  early  twlight,  flying  over  low  meadow  lands,  search- 
ing fC'i-  the  mice  that  dwell  there;  he  usually  takes  a 
direct  coui-se.  and  sometimes  flies  so  low  that  the  tips 
of  his  wings  seem  to  touch  the  grass.  When  he  dis- 
covers his  prey  he  drops  on  it  instantly,  folding  his 
wings  and  protruding  his  feet,  in  which  his  quarry  is 
always  secured;  he  often  captures  frogs  that  are  sit- 
ting on  the  shores  o-f  ])onds  and  rivers;  but  I  am  in- 
clined to  think  that  the  statement,  quoted  by  Audubon, 
that  he  often  catches  fish,  is  incorrect."— Samuels. 

FEEDS    ON   FISHES. 

The  Florida  liarred  Owl — a  local  race — is  exceed- 
ingly abundant  about  the  almost  impenetrable  swamps 
and  heavily-timbered  regions  along  the  St.  John's  river. 
In  the  winter  of  1885,  I  was  informed  by  two  residents 
of  Florida,  both  gentlemen  whom  I  consider  thor-< 
oughly  trustworthy,  that  this  owl  frequently  preys  on 
fish,  which  it  secui'es,  while  sitring  close  to  the  water's 
edge,  by  a  dexti'ous  movement  of  the  foot.  The  stom- 
ach contents  of  five  of  these  Floi-ida  Owls,  which  T  ex 
amined,  consisted  only  of  tlie  remains  of  small  birds 
and  coleoprernus  insects. 

Keferriiiii  lo  tliis  species,  Niiltall  says:  TIkmi'  food 
is   jti'in(i|inlly    rabbits,   si|iiiri ds.    l;iiiiisi'.   i|ii;iils.    ra(s. 


J  235 

mice  and  frogs.  From  nect'ssitj,  as  well  as  choice, 
Ihey  not  nnfreqnently  appear  around  the  farmhouse 
and  garden  in  quest  of  poultry,  i»articularly  young 
chickens.  At  these  times  they  prowl  abroad  toward 
evening,  and  fty  low  and  steadily  about,  as  if  beating 
for  their  prey. 

In  the  stomachs  of  89  of  these  owls  which  Dr.  Fisher 
examined,  5  contained  poultry  or  game;  13,  other  birds; 
40,  mice;  18,  other  mammals;  4,  frogs;  1,  a  lizard;  2. 
fish:  14,  insects:  2,  spiders  and  0.  crawfish. 


'SM 


GREAT  GRAY  OWL. 
Ulula  cinerea. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"A  very  large  round  headed  owl,  without  ear  tufls;  althouKh 
much  larger,  resembles  somewhat  the  Barred  Owl,  but  can  be 
easily  distinguished  from  the  latter.  Length  (female)  2S;  ex- 
tent about  56;  tail  12;  bill  and  eyes  yellow;  claws  long  and  very 
sharp  and  dusky.  Above  dark-brown,  feathers  variously 
spotted,  mottled  or  barred  with  fine  grayish-white  markings; 
lower  parts  similar  but  more  grayish,  with  longitudinal 
streaks  on  breast,  and  cross  bars  of  white  and  dusky  on 
flanks;  face  grayish-white  with  numerous  narrow  rings  of 
dvisky;  a  patch  of  black  about  eyes  on  either  side  of  bill." 

Habitat.— Arctic  America,  straggling  southward  in  winter,  to 
the  northern  border  of  the  United  States.  Straggler  in  Penn- 
sylvania. 

This  owl,  one  of  tlie  largest,  if  not  tlie  largest  in 
North  America,  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  onh'  as  a 
very  rare  and  irregular  straggler  in  winter.  Twenty 
or  more  years  ago  a  specimen  was  captured  in  Chester 
county  in  midwinter  by  H.  B.  Graves.  Dr.  Isaiah  F. 
Everhart,  of  Scranton,  Pa.,  has  a  specimen  in  his  col- 
lection which  he  found  some  years  ago  in  the  moun- 
tains in  Lackawanna  county.  A  specimen  Avas  also 
taken  some  years  ago  from  a  smoke  stack  of  a  steam 
boat  at  Erie  city.  I  have  also  heard  of  two  or  three 
more  specimens  of  this  s[)ecies  being  taken  in  tliis 
State. 

ITS    DIETARY. 

Froju  i)ersO'nal  observation  I  know  nothing  of  the 
habits  of  this  bird,  never  having  seen  one  alive. 

Concerning  this  species  Dr  Fisher  says:  "The  food 
seems  to  consist  principally  of  hares,  mice  and  other 
of  the  smaller  mammals  as  well  as  small  birds;. 
Whelher  it  destroys  many  grouse  or  ptarmigans  is  not 
stated  bv  authors  who  arc  most  familiar  with  llie  bird. 


GREAT    GRAY    OWL 


237 

l>r.  W  .  JI.  Dull  took  no  less  than  thirteen  skulls  and 
other  remains  of  red-poll  linnets  from  the  crop  of  a 
single  bird.  *  *  *  Dr.  Dall  considers  it  a  stupid 
bird  and  slates  that  sometimes  it  may  be  caught  in 
the  hands.  Its  great  predilection  for  thick  woods,  in 
which  it  dwells  doaibtless  to  the  very  limit  of  trees,  pre- 
vents it  from  being  an  inhabitant  of  the  barren  grounds 
or  other  open  country  in  the  north.  It  is  crepuscular 
or  slightly  nocturnal  in  the  southern  parts  of  its  range, 
but  in  the  high  north  it  pursues  its  prey  iu  the  day- 
time. In  the  latter  region,  where  the  sun  never  passes 
below  the  horizon  in  summer,  it  is  undo-ubtedl}-  neces- 
sity and  not  choice  that  prompts  it  to  be  abroad  in 
the  daylight. 

It  is  stated  that  the  flight  is  heavy  and  somewliat 
labored,  and  has  not  the  bouyancy  noted  in  tliat  of 
most  of  the  owls. 


238 


ACADlAxX  OWL. 
Nyctala  acadica. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Small;  wings  long;  tail  short;  upper  parts  reddish-brown, 
tinged  with  olive;  head  in  front  with  fine  lines  of  white,  and  on 
the  neck  behind,  rump  and  scapulars,  with  large,  partially 
concealed  spots  of  white;  face  ashy-white;  throat  white;  under 
parts  ashy-white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  pale  reddish- 
brown;  under  coverts  of  wings  and  tail  white;  quills  brown, 
with  small  spots  of  white  on  their  outer  edges,  ana  large  siiois 
of  the  same  on  their  inner  webs;  tail  brown,  every  feather 
with  about  three  pairs  of  spots  of  white;  bill  and  claws  dark; 
irides    yellow. 

"Total  length  about  l^o  to  8  inches;  extent  about  18;  wing 
5%;  tail  2%  to  3  inches.  Sexes  nearly  the  same  size  and  alike 
in  colors." — B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat. — North  America  at  large;  breeding  from  Middle 
States  northward.    Resident  in  Pennsylvania. 

The  Acadian  is  the  smallest  owl  found  in  the  United 
States  east  of  the  Mississippi  river.  Although  ap- 
parently larger,  it  is  in  reality  smaller,  than  our  com 
mon  robin.  This  pigmy  mass  of  owl-life  is,  I  suppose, 
the  species  which  was  regarded  as  not  destructive  to 
poultry  and  game,  by  the  author  of  the  "scalp  act," 
when  he  introduced  therein  a  clause  exempting  "The 
Acadian  Screech  or  Barn  Owl."  From  the  fact,  how- 
ever, that  the  decapitated  heads  of  pheasants,*  night- 
hawks,  chickens,  cuckoos,  shrikes,  and  doubtless  other 
birds,  were  cremated  and  paid  for  as  the  heads  of  de- 
structive rapacious  "hawks"  it  is  but  reasonable  to  sup- 

*  In  December,  1SS6.  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird  informed  me  that  he 
had  received  for  identification  from  several  counties  in  Penn- 
.sylvania.  the  heads  of  pheasants,  English  sparrows,  cuckoos, 
robins,  a  gull  and  other  l)irds.  These  heads  were  called  by  the 
parties  sending  them  tn  Prof.  Baird  "Hawk  heads."  and  as 
such  they  had  been  presented  for  the  fifty-cent  liDunty,  which 
had  b(^en  i)aid.  IMof.  Raird  also  examined  some  Pennsyhania 
"wolf  scalps."  on  which  [iremiums  had  been  given,  and  ascer- 
tained that  the  so-called  "wolf  scalps"  had  heen  fashioned  from 
pelts  of  the  common   Red   Fox. 


m^'.  i|       ^  \ 


jjf- 


SAW  -WHET     OWL. 


239 

[jose  that  our  little  Acadian  Owl,  when  found  by  the 
eager  scalj)  hunter,  was  generally  slain  and  the  bounty 
of  fifty  cents  given  "lor  the  beuetit  of  agriculture  and 
for  the  protection  of  game." 

HIDES   IN    ROCKY   PLACES. 

The  name  Saw-whet  is  applied  to  this  bird  because, 
at  times,  its  squeaky  voice  resembles  the  whetting  or 
tiling  of  a  saw.  Owing  to  the  small  size  of  this  owl, 
together  with  the  fact  that  during  the  daytime  it  re- 
mains secreted  in  hollow  trees,  thick  foliage  or  in  the 
dark  and  secluded  rocky  retreats,  it  is  seldom  met  with, 
hence  is  regarded  as  one  of  our  rarest  residents.  The 
young  of  this  bird,  taken  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadel- 
phia, liave  been  seen  by  I'rof.  Gentry,  and  in  E.  A. 
►Samuel's  work,  ''Our  Northern  and  Eastern  Birds,"  the 
following  interesting  account  is  given  by  Richard 
Christ  of  a  nest  that  he  found  April  25,  1867,  at  Naza- 
reth, Pennsylvania:  "This,  the  smallest  of  all  our 
owls,  is  also  the  most  rare,  but  a  single  specimen  being 
seen  in  a  period  of  several  years.  It  is  very  tame  when 
found,  permitting  one  to  approach  very  close  to  it  be- 
fore flying  away.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  it  sees 
less  in  the  daytime  than  any  otlier  species  of  our  owls, 
for  one  can  toucli  it  without  being  noticed,  the  bird 
taking  fiight  more  from  alarm  to  its  sense  of  iieaiin^ 
tlian  any  other  cause. 

THE   NEST  AND   EGGS. 

"It  generally  frequents  stone  quarries  oi'  j»iles  of 
rocks,  beneath  which  it  takes  shelter;  nnd  it  is  from 
this  habit  that  the  biid  here  is  known  by  the  name  of 
'Stone  Owl.'  On  *he  25th  of  April,  18C>7,  I  was  so  for 
tunate  as  to  find  the  nest  of  one  of  these  birds.  Tt 
was  placed  or  loealed  in   tlie  hollow  of  a  tree,  about 


240 

Iwciuv  feet  from  the  groiiiid;  the  entrance  to  I  lie  hole 
was  very  small,  scarcely  two  inches  in  diameter,  (^n 
climbing  tlie  tree  and  loolcini;-  in  the  liollow,  I  discov- 
ered silting  on  the  bottom  wliat  1  snpposed  might  be 
a  small  owl.  Uncertain  as  to  the  truth,  I  introduced 
a  small  stick  into  the  hole,  and  turned  the  bird  over 
upon  her  side,  she  making  no  struggle  whatever,  but 
remaining  perfectly  still  as  if  dead.  I  discovered  that 
she  was  sitting  upon  a  single  egg.  Supposing  that  she 
had  but  just  commenced  laying  I  left  her,  and  did  not 
mo'lest  her  for  several  days;  on  the  fifth  day  after  I 
again  examined  the  nest,  and  found  the  bird  on  her 
egg.  none  other  having  been  laid.  I  enlarged  the  hole, 
and  took  the  egg,  leaving  the  owl  quietly  sitting  on  ibe 
rotten  chips  which  formed  the  bottom  of  the  nest. 

"The  egg  was  white  with  a  bluish  tint,  like  many 
of  the  other  owls'  eggs,  nearly  globular  in  form,  and 
consideiably  smaller  than  the  egg  of  the  Ked  oi-  Mot 
lied  Owl." 

THEY   LIVED   IN   HARMONY. 

Dr.  Elliot  Coues,  in  his  "Birds  of  the  Northwest," 
says:  "Mr,  Gentry  informs  me  of  a  curious  circum- 
stance ]n  regard  to  this  owl.  Referring  to  the  associa- 
tion of  the  Burrowing  Owl  of  the  west  with  the  prairie 
dog,  he  continues:  'In  the  holloAv  of  an  oak  tree,  not 
far  from  Germantown,  lives  an  individual  of  the  com- 
mon chickaree  squirrel  {Sciurus  hudsonius),  with  a 
specimen  of  this  little  owl  as  his  sole  companion.  They 
occni>y  the  same  hole  together  in  perfect  harmony  and 
mutual  goodwill.  It  is  not  an  accidental,  temporary 
association,  for  the  bird  and  the  squirrel  have  rej)eat- 
edly  been  observed  to  enter  the  same  hole  together,  as 
if  they  always  had  shared  the  apartment.  But  what 
benefit  can  either  derive  from  the  other?'  " 


241 

-Mr.  Otto  Behr  writes  me  as  follows  of  this  species: 
"Tlje  Acadian  Owl  is  quite  common  here  (Lopez,  Sulli- 
van county),  though  not  often  seen;  the  young  leave 
the  nest  about  the  first  week  in  May.  They  make  a 
noise  which  sounds  like  a  dog  "sniffing"  the  air.  The 
noise  gave  me  quite  a  scare  the  first  time  I  heard  it. 
It  being  at  night  in  heavy  timber,  and  as  it  seemed  to 
come  from  overhead  somewhere,  I  supposed  it  was  a 
bear  or  some  such  animal  up;  a  tree  near  by." 

This  little  owl  preys  chiefly  on  small  quadrupeds, 
principally  mice.  It  also  devours  many  insects  and 
occasionally  catches  small  birds.  In  the  stomachs  of 
19  of  these  o-wls  which  Dr.  Fisher  examined  17  co!i- 
tained  mice;  1,  a  sparrow,  and  1,  a  moth. 


10  IT 


1'42 


SOKEECH  OWL. 

Megascops  asio. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Toes  more  or  less  distinctly  feathered  or  bristled  on  upper 
side;  eai'  tufts  conspicuous;  plumage  presenting  two  totally 
distinct  phases,  having  no  relation  to  sex.  age  or  season;  one 
grayish-white,  the  other  bright  rufous.  *  *  *  A  more  or 
less  conspicuous  bright  colored  stripe  runs  along  each  side  of 
the  back,  and  a  blackish  line  along  the  shafts  of  the  feathers, 
sometimes  throwing  out  transverse  bars.  L,ength,  GV^  to  10 
inches:  extent  20  to  24  inches." — Fisher. 

Habitat. — Ttmperate  eastern  North  America,  South  Georgia 
and  west  to  the  plains.     Common  in  Pennsylvania. 

This  handsome  little  owl  is  one  of  the  most  common 
of  all  owls  found  in  Pennsylvania.  It  is  resident,  but, 
unlike  the  lon*>-('arert  species,  is  not  gregarious.  Its 
almost  spliorieal  and  white  eggs — four  to  six  in  number 
(mostly  four) — are  deposited  in  a  hollow  tree.  A  tree 
in  an  apple  orchard  is  frequently  made  use  of  for 
breeding  purposes,  as  well  as  a  common  diurual  resort, 
at  all  seaso-ns.  The  eggs  measure  about  1.33  by  1.18 
inches.  This  bird,  when  taken  from  the  nest  audi 
raised,  makes  a  very  interesting  pet,  one  that  not  only 
becomes  attached  to  its  master,  but  which  is  also  capa- 
ble of  rendering  him  most  eflficient  services  in  the  de- 
struction of  inic(s  who.se  vexatious  ravages  are  fre- 
quently so  aunoyiug.  Some  few  years  ago-  an  ac-j 
(|uaintance  of  mine  placed  two  of  these  birds  in  his 
cellar  which  was  overrun  with  mice,  and  in  a  few 
weeks  the  place  was  depopulated  of  these  little  foui-- 
footed  ])ests. 

.\s  A   ri'rr. 

.\  Sci<'e<li  Owl  uiiicli  1  kf'pl  for  sevcial  mouths  in 
captivity    Fed   cagei-ly   on   gi-asshop|»pis  and    pieces   of 


SCREECH     OWL. 


fi-esli  Ikm'T.  W  Ikii  a  mouse  wa.s  j;iveii  to  fhis  bird  it 
\\(»ul(l  sci/r  ii  with  its  claws,  and  after  severing  with 
its  bill  the  skin  aboiil  the  hea<l  and  neck,  would  swal 
low  the  whole  mass,  always,  I  think,  head  foremost. 
When  it  fed  on  small  birds — which  were  frequently 
shot  and  plaeed  in  the  box.  bu(  which  it  would  seldom 
touch — T  n<»1iced  that  it  generally  tore  open  the  skull 
and  ate  the  brain  substance.  This  owl  would  never 
drink    water. 

FACTS   ABOUT  ITS  HABITS. 

"The  flight  of  the  Mottled  Owl  is  smooth,  rapid,  protracted 
and  noisele.-^s.  Jt  rises  at  times  above  the  top  l>ranches  of  the 
highest  of  our  forest  trees  whilst  in  pursuit  of  large  beetles, 
and  at  other  times  sails  low  and  swiftly  over  the  fields  or 
through  the  woods  in  search  of  small  birds,  field  mice,  moles 
or  wc'od  rats,  from  which  it  chiefly  derives  its  subsistence. 
Sometimes  on  alighting,  which  it  does  plumply,  the  Mottled 
Owl  immediately  bends  its  body,  turns  its  head  to  look  behind 
it,  performs  a  curious  nod.  utters  its  notes,  then  shakes  and 
plumes  itself,  and  resumes  its  flight  in  search  of  prey.  It  now 
and  then,  while  on  the  wing,  produces  a  clicking  sound  with 
its  mandibles,  but  more  frequentl.v  when  perched  near  its 
mate  or  young.  This  I  have  thought  was  done  by  the  bird  to 
manifest  its  courage  and  let  the  hearer  know  that  it  is  not  to 
be  meddled  with,  although  few  birds  of  prey  are  more  gentle 
when  seized,  as  it  will  suffer  a  person  to  touch  its  feathers  and 
caress  it  without  attempting  to  bite  or  strike  with  its  talons, 
unless  at  rare  intervals. 

"The  notes  of  this  owl  are  uttered  in  a  tremulous,  doleful 
manner,  and  somewhat  resembles  the  chattering  of  the  teeth 
of  a  person  under  the  influence  of  extreme  cold,  although 
much  louder.  They  are  heard  at  a  distance  of  several  hundred 
yards,  and  by  some  people  are  thought  to  be  of  ominous  Im- 
port. 

"The  little  fellow  is  generally  found  about  farm  houses, 
orchards  and  gardens.  It  alights  on  the  roof,  the  fence  or  the 
garden  gate,  and  uttei-s  its  mournful  ditty  at  intervals  for 
hours  at  a  time  as  if  it  was  in  a  state  of  great  suffering,  al- 
though this  is  far  from  being  the  case— the  song  of  all  birds 
being  an  indication  of  content  and  happiness.  In  a  state  of 
confinement  it  utters  its  notes  with  as  much  satisfaction  as 
if  at  liberty.  They  are  chiefly  heard  during  the  latter  part  of 
the  winter,  that  being  the  season  of  love,  when  the  male  bird 
is  particularly  attentive  to  the  fair  one,  which  excites  his 
tender  envitions.  and  around  which  he  flies  and  struts  much 
in  the  manner  of  the  common  pigeon,  adding  numerous  nods 
and   bows,   the  sight   of   which   is   very   amusing."— Audubon 


LM4 


FIXING  .cri-:kding  places  for  owls. 

The  following  interesting  accounl  of  I  lie  methods 
employed  by  an  enthusiastic  oologist  is  taken  fiom  a 
letter  written  to  me,  October,  1880,  by  Mr.  O.  li.  Hark, 
of  Bethlehem:  "Have  you  ever  heard  ol  fixing  holes 
for  Sparrow  Hawks  and  Screech  Owls?  IMr.  John 
Mack,  the  best  climber  I  ever  met,  every  spring  cleans 
out  old  holes,  enlarges  such  as  are  too  small,  etc.,  and 
finds  it  pays  him  well;  this  spring  he  got  ninety  Spar- 
row Hawk  eggs  and  every  one  was  taken  out  of  holes 
fixed  by  him;  at  one  time  he  put  the  leg  of  an  old 
rubber  boot  in  a  hollow  tree  and  several  Aveeks  later 
took  a  batch  of  Screech  Owl's  eggs  out  of  it.  Another 
singular  experience  he  had  with  owls  is,  he  made  a 
hole  in  a  willow  tree;  when  he  came  to  look  after  it 
again  he  found  owls  had  taken  possession  of  it  and 
had  nearly  filled  it  with  field  mice;  he  said  there  were 
enough  mice  in  it  to  fill  his  derby  hat.  This  liappened 
just  before  a  heavy  snow  storm  and  about  ten  days 
later  every  mouse  was  gone." 

EATS  BEETLES  AND  GRASSHOPPERS. 

Mr.  L.  M.  Turner  informs  me  that  he  has  made  a 
number  of  examinations  of  Screech  Owls  captured  in 
Illinois,  and  very  generally  found  their  food  consisted 
of  such  in.sects  as  the  larger  beetles  and  grasshoppers, 
also  many  mice.  Grasshoppers  and  olher  orthopterous 
insects  are  devoured  in  large  quantities  by  these  birds. 

During  the  summer  months  and  at  other  times  when 
insect  life  is  al)undant  Screech  Owls  subsist  mainly 
on  an  insect  diet.  These  birds  also  prey  on  mice, 
shi-ews,  oMier  small  quadrupeds  and  small  birds. 

Investigations  have  clearly  demonstrated  that  few,  if 
any.  of  Ihe  owl  tribe  are  more  servicable  to  the  farmer 
nnd  fruit  gi-owei'  tlinn  is  the  Screech  Owl,  subsisting,  as 


245 

be  does,  liiineipally  on  insects  such  as  {grasshoppers 
and  beetles  in  the  summer,  and  in  winter,  when  insect 
food  is  scarce,  on  mice  of  different  kinds,  and  small 
wild  birds,  particularly  sparrows. 

KILLS    THE    FEATHERED    PRIZE-FIGHTERS. 

The  English  Sparrow  has,  perhaps,  no  more  relent- 
less a  foe  among  the  feathered  tribe  than  is  the  much 
abused  and  persecuted  Screech  Owl.  At  night,  when 
the  sparrows  are  sleeping  abo-ut  buildings,  the  owl 
noiselessly  wings  his  way  to  their  retreats  and  cap- 
tures them  with  apparently  but  little  effort.  Last  win- 
ter I  knew  a  pair  of  Screech  Owls  to  regularly  visit, 
every  night,  for  about  a  week,  an  ivy  covered  build- 
ing where  a  large  colony  of  sparrows  had  taken  up 
their  abode.  The  owls  appeared  perfectly  satisfied 
with  their  work,  and  to-  all  outward  appearances 
thrived  on  a  diet  of  sparrows.  The  sparrows,  on  the 
other  hand,  which  escaped  the  owls'  sharp  claws,  after 
nearly  ten  days  or  nights  experience,  evidently  came  to 
the  conclusion  that  it  would  be  more  conducive  to  their 
nocturnal  slumbers  and  safety  to  hunt  another  roost- 
ing place,  and  they  did  so. 

For  a  period  of  nearly  a  month  the  sparrows  were 
not  observed  to  return  to  the  ivy  roost.  One  evening 
a  boy  threw'  a  stone  at  one  of  the  o-wls  and  killed  it. 
Its  mate  disappeared  about  the  same  time,  and  in  a 
short  time,  probably  a  week,  after  the  owls  had  gone, 
the  sparrows  returned  to  their  old  roosting  place  in  the 
ivy. 

The  farmer  or  fruit  grower  who  will  allow  Screech 
Owls  to  be  destroyed,  is  certainly  standing  in  his  own 
light,  and  the  sooner  he  familiarizes  himself  with  the 
true  economic  relations  of  these  birds,  liie  bctler  it  will 
lie  for  his  inteicsts. 


246 


GREA'J^  HORNED  OWL. 

l)Ubo  vii'giiiianiis. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  (female)  21  to  24  inches;  extent  about  5  feet;  tail  about 
9  inches;  male  19  to  23  long;  extent  about  50  to  53  inches;  can 
be  distinguished  by  its  large  size  and  long  ear  tufts;  plumage 
blackish,  brownish,  dusky,  graying  and  whitish  in  mixture: 
throat  and  middle  of  breast  white;  eyes  yellow;  bill  and  claws 
blackish. 

Habitat. — P^astern  North  America,  west  to  the  Mississippi 
valley,  and  from  Labrador  to  Costa  Rica.  Resident  in  Penn- 
sylvania. 

This  well-kuown  and  latlier  common  inhabitant  of 
the  forests  can  easily  be  i'ecO'j;ni/(Ml  bv  its  biijic  si/.c. 
the  conspicuons  white  feathers  of  the  throat  and  the 
long-ear  tufts  whieli  measure  two  and  one-half  inches 
or  more  in  length. 

THE   NEST   AND   EGGS. 

The  Great  Horned,  the  largest  of  all  our  native  owls. 
is  the  first  to  commence  nesting.  I  have  found  its 
eggs  in  February,  and  am  told  that  it  occasionally 
lays  in  January.  In  this  locality  the  Great  Horned 
Owl  seldom  breeds  in  hollow  trees;  sometimes 
it  constructs  a  rude  and  bulky  nest  of  sticks, 
lined  with  grasses  and  feathers,  on  tlie  large  horizontal 
limbs  of  trees  in  its  favorite  wooded  retreats.  Its  eggs, 
measuring  about  t^vo  and  one-fourth  inches  in  length 
by  two  inches  in  width  are  mostly  deposited  in  the  de 
s(U'ted  nests  of  hawks  and  cro'ws.  Although  it  is 
stated  by  dflTerent  writers  that  this  species  lays  four 
or  more  eggs,  I  have  never  found,  in  seven  nests  exam 
ined,  over  two  eggs  or  a  like  u umber  of  yoiing.  Air. 
Thomas  H.  Jackson,  of  W'csl  Clicster,  Pa.,  writing  in 
the  Ornithologist   :iiul  Ool(><>ist.  June.   ISS(»,  savs:      In 


^  > 


'\. 


5 

GREAT     HORNED    OWL. 


247 

thirteen  nests  of  this  bird  that  have  come  under  my 
personal  notice,  twelve  containefl  two  eggs,  or  young, 
and  only  one  contained  three  eggs.  All  the  nests  re- 
ferred to  at)ove  were  placed  in  branches  of  trees  and 
were  generally  tlio-se  of  hawks  or  crows,  renovated  or 
enlarged.  Occasionally  a  hollow  tree  is  nsed  for  the 
purpose.  Upon  one  occasion  I  replaced  the  owl's  eggs 
taken  from  a  nest  with  those  of  the  common  hen,  and 
upon  visiting  them  at  the  expiration  of  three  weeks, 
found  that  both  the  latter  had  been  hatched  and  had 
fallen  from  the  nest,  about  twenty  feet  f^om  the 
ground,  and  that  the  owls  had  deserted  the  locality. 
The  Great  PLorned  Owls  are  liberal  providers  for  their 
young.  I  have  fiequently  found  full  grown  rabbits 
lying  in  the  nest  beside  the  young,  and  scarcely  a  nest 
visited  did  no-t  have  a  strong  odor  of  skunk,  while 
bones  and  feathers  were  scattered  around  attesting  to 
the  predacious  habits  of  the  proprietors." 

ITS    FLIGHT    AND    WIERD    NOTES. 

"The  flight  of  the  Great  Horned  Owl  is  elevated 
rapid  and  graceful.  It  sails  with  apparent  ease  and  in 
large  circles,  in  the  manner  of  an  (3agle;  rises  and  de- 
scends without  the  least  difficulty  by  merely  inclining 
its  wings  or  its  tail  as  it  passes  through  the  air.  Now 
and  then  it  glides  silently  close  over  the  earth  with  in- 
comparable velocity,  and  droi)s,  as  if  shot  dead,  on  the 
prey  beneath.  At  other  times,  it  suddenly  alights  on 
the  top  of  a  fence  stake  or  a  dead  stump,  shakes  its 
feathers,  arranges  them,  and  utters  a  shriek  so  horrid 
that  the  woods  around  echo  to  its  dismal  sound.  Now, 
it  seems  as  if  you  heard  the  barking  of  a* cur  dog; 
again  the  notes  are  so  rough  and  mingled  togetlici- 
that  they  might  be  mistaken  for  the  last  gurglings 
■of  a  murdered  y)ei-son  striving  in   vain  to  call  for  as 


248 

sistauce;  at  anothei-  time,  when  uol  iiioie  than  fifty 
yards  distant,  it  utters  its  more  usual  lioo,  hoo,  hoo-c, 
in  so  peeuliai'  an  undertone  that  a  person  unaecjuainted 
vvitli  the  notes  of  this  species  niiglit  easily  conceive 
them  to  be  prouced  by  an  owl  more  than  a  mile  distant. 
During  the  utterance  of  all  these  unmusical  cries  it 
moves  its  body,  and  more  parlicularly  its  head,  in 
various  ways,  ])utting  them  into  positions,  all  of  which 
appear  to  please  it  much,  however  {rrotesaue  they  may 
seem  to  the  eye  of  man.  In  tlie  interval  following 
each  cry  it  snaps  its  bill." — Audubon. 

These  owls,  like  the  preceding  species,  are  not  migra- 
tory and  when  not  engaged  in  breeding  lead  a  solitary 
existence.  Although  chiefly  nocturnal  in  babits,  Great 
Horned  Owls  are  often  seen  in  cloud}';  weather  and  in 
the  early  tAvilight  searching  for  food.  On  one  occa- 
sion, when  the  sun  was  shining  brightly  (about  10  A. 
M.),  I  saw  one  of  these  owls  make  two  attempts  to 
catch  a  hen  and  her  young  chicks. 

WHAT    THEY    LIVE    UPON. 

Audubon  says:  "Its  food  consists  cliiefly  of  the  larger 
species  O'f  gallinaceous  birds,  half-grown  wild  turkeys, 
pheasants  and  domestic  poultry  of  all  kinds,  together 
with  several  species  of  ducks.  Hares,  young  opossums 
and  squirrels  are  equally  agreeable  to  it,  and  whenever 
chance  throws  a  dead  fish  on  the  shore  the  Great 
Horned  Owl  feeds  with  peculiar  avidity  on  it." 

Nuttall  tells  us  they  usually  prey  on  young  rabbits, 
squiiiels,  rats,  mice,  quails  and  small  birds  of  various 
kinds;  and  when  these  resources  fail  or  diminish,  they 
occasionally  ju-owl  pretty  boldly  around  the  farmyard 
in  quest  of  chickens,  which  they  seize  on  the  roost. 

■My  own  records  of  sixteen  examinations  of  the 
Gi-eat  TforiKMl  Owl,  which,  \\itii  one  cxccidion.  wric  ;ill 


249 

taken  (lurin<ij  the  winter  montlis,  revealed  in  eleven  in 
(lividuals  only  remains  of  poultry;  two  otliers,  pm-tions 
of  rabbils,  and  of  the  three  remaining  birds  of  this 
series  it  was  found  that  one  had  taken  two  mice;  an- 
other showed  small  amount  of  hair,  apparently  that  of 
an  opo'ssuni.  The  sixteenth  and  last  bird  contained  a 
mouse  and  parts  of  beetles. 

The  investigations  of  Dr.  Fisher  show  that  of  110 
stomachs  of  this  bird  which  contained  food  materials, 
that  31  contained  poultry  or  game  birds;  8,  other  birds; 
13,  mice;  65,  other  mammals  (rabbits,  squirrels,  rats, 
muskrats,  skunk,  etc.)  From  such  records  it  will  be 
seen  that  this  species  does  a  good  deal  of  damage  to 
the  poultry  and  game  interests.  While  it  is  true  that 
mice  and  some  other  destructive  mammals  are  de- 
voured by  this  owl.  there  is  little  doubt  tliat  tlie  dam- 
age he  does  is  much  greater  than  tlie  benefit  he  confers. 


250 


SNOWY  OWL. 
Nyctea  nyctea. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  fnim  20  to  2i  inches;  extent  4V4  to  5  feet;  tail  between 
9  and  10  inches  long;  tarsi  and  toes  densely  covered  with  long 
hair-like  feather.s;  black  bill  almost  hidden  by  long  feathers; 
plumage  white,  with  brownish  or  blackish  spots  and  bars; 
throat,  face,  feet  and  middle  of  breast  whitest.  The  female 
is  larger  and  much  darker  than  male;  eyes  rather  small  and 
yellow;   no   ear   tufts. 

Habitat.— yiovthern  portions  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere. 
In  North  America,  breeding  mostly  north  of  the  United  States; 
in  winter  migrating  south  to  the  Middle  States,  straggling  to 
South  Carolina,  Texas  and  the  Bermudas. 

The  8nowy  Owl  rendered  so  coDspicuous  by  its  large 
size  and  white  plumage  is  a  native  of  the  Arctic  re- 
gions. This  owl  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  a 
winter  visitant.  Although  specimens  are  taken  nearly 
every  winter,  this  species  is  most  frequently  observed 
during  excessively  severe  winters.  Usually  solitary 
birds  are  observed,  but  sometimes  parties  of  six,  eight 
or  (?ven  a  dozen  are  seen  together. 

ITS   MANNER   OF  HUNTING. 

^ViIsou  says:  "Unlike  most  of  his  tribe  he  hunts  by 
day  as  well  as  by  twilight,  and  is  particularly  fond  of 
frequenting  the  shores  and  banks  of  shallow  rivers, 
over  the  surface  of  which  he  slowly  sails,  or  sits  on 
a  rock  a  little  raised  above  the  water  watching  for 
fish.  These  he  seizes  witJi  a  sudden  and  instantaneous 
stroke  of  the  foot,  seldom  missing  his  aim."  Nuttall 
writes:  "He  ventures  abroad  boldly  at  all  seasons,  and 
like  tlw^  liawUs,  seeks  his  j)rey  by  daylight  as  well  as 
dark,  skimming  aloft  and  reconnoitering  his  ;prey4 
which  is  ((immonlv  llic  \\'hil('  (Irouse,  or  some  other 


4^^- 


S  NOWY     OW  L 


251 

hiiils  of  tlic  siiiiu'  jicinis.  iis  well  a.s  liarrs.  On  these 
lie  dfuls  t'lMnii  jibovc,  ;in(l  r}ii)idly  seizes  llieiii  in  liis 
resistless  hihtiis.  Al  times  lie  watches  for  lish,  and 
condescends  also  lo  prey  upon  rats,  mice  and  even  car 
rion." 

This  species  is  never  sntticientiy  huiikmous  in  this 
State  to  do  any  s<M-ious  damage  to  either  Ihe  [mnltry 
or  game  interests.  In  the  no^rlhein  counties  where 
these  birds  are  plentiful  they  devour  great  quantities 
of  small  rodents  which,  with  fish,  seem  to  be  favorite 
articles  of  diet  for  them. 


252 


HAWK  OWL. 

Siiinia  iilula  caparoch. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"No  ear  tufts;  tail  rounded  at  tips,  and  indi-stinctly  barred 
with  white;  top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  spotted  with  white 
and  black,  or  dark  brown;  a  patcli  of  uniform  blackish  or 
dark  brown  on  each  side  of  hind  ne?k;  upper  parts  brown,  more 
or  less  spotted  with  white;  lower  parts  regularly  barred  with 
brown.     I.,ength,  14.75  to  17.50  inches;  extent  31  to  33  inches." 

Habitat.— Arctic  America,  migrating  in  winter  to  the  north- 
ern border  of  the  United  States.  Rare  straggler  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

This  curious  bird  partakes  of  the  general  appear- 
ance, and  also  the  habits,  of  both  a  hawk  and  an  owl, 
and  is  said  to  be  principally  diurnal,  in  fact  writers 
assert  that  it  is  as  active  in  daytime  as  any  of  the 
hawks.  This  species  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  a 
rare  and  irregular  winter  visitor. 

ITS  FOOD  AND  HABITS. 

Having  never  had  an  opportunity  of  studying  this 
bird  in  life  I  quote  the  following  from  Dr.  A.  K.  Fish- 
er's Bulletin: 

"The  food  of  this  owl  varies  considerably  at  different  times 
of  the  year.  In  summer  it  feeds  on  the  smaller  mammals,  such 
as  mice,  lemmings  and  ground  squirrels  as  well  as  insects  of 
various  kinds,  while  in  winter,  when  the  snow  is  deep  and  its 
favorite  food  is  hidden,  it  follows  the  large  flocks  of  ptarmigans 
and  subsists  on  them.  Dr.  Dall  seldom  found  anything  but 
mice  in  the  crops  of  those  he  dissected  in  Alaska,  and  the  fol- 
lowing from  Dr.  Coues  mentions  the  same  food:  "It  feeds  chiefly 
upon  lield  mice  (Arvicolae)  which  swarm  in  the  sphagnous 
vegetation  of  arctic  lands;  also  upon  small  birds,  grasshoppers 
and  other  insects."     (Birds  of  the  Northwest,  1S74.  p.  312.) 

"Mr.  Henry  Seebohm  speaks  of  its  food  as  follows:  'The  prin- 
cipal food  of  the  Hawk  Owl  is  mice  and  lemmings,  and  the 
bird  follows  the  migratory  parties  of  the  last  named  little 
manimal  to  prey  upon  them.  From  its  indomitable  spirit,  how- 
ever, few  birds  of  the  forest  are  safe  from  its  attack.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  smaller  birds  which  it  captures.  Wheelwright  men- 
lions  the  fact  that  he  has  seen  the  Hawk  Owl  strike  down  the 


7^-= 


AMERICAN     HAWK     OWL. 


253 

Siberian  jay,  and  iias  also  disturbed  it  feeding  on  an  old  wil- 
low giouse.  The  same  naturalist  has  also  taken  insects  from 
its^tomach.' "(Hist.    British   Birds,   Vol.  I,   1883,   p.   184.) 

"The  species  is  tame  and  unsuspicious,  and  may  be  ap- 
proached easily  without  being  alarmed;  in  fact,  specimens 
have  been  known  to  return  to  the  same  perch  after  being  shot 
at  two  or  three  times.  It  is  a  courageous  bird,  and  will  de- 
fend its  nest  against  all  intruders.  A  male  once  dashed  at 
Dr.  Dall  and  knocked  off  his  hat  as  he  was  climbing  to  the 
nest;  other  similar  accounts  show  that  the  courage  displayed 
on  this  occasion  was  not  an  individual  freak,  but  a  common 
trait  of  the  species. 

"Although  the  flight  is  swift  and  hawk-like,  it  has  neverthe- 
less the  soft,  noiseless  character  common  to  the  other  owls. 
When  starting  from  any  high  place,  such  as  the  top  of  a  tree, 
it  usually  pitches  down  nearly  to  the  ground,  and  flies  off  rap- 
idly above  the  tops  of  the  bushes  or  high  grass,  abruotly  rising 
again  as  it  seeks  another  perch. 

"The  note  is  a  shrill  cry  which  it  utters  generally  while  the 
bird  is  on  the  wing." 


254 


CHAPTER  IV 


SOME  OTHER  BIRDS. 

KAVEXS,     CROWS,    JAYS     AND     SHIilKKS. 

P^ive  species  of  tlie  family  CORV^IDAE  are  foiiiid  in 
Pennavlvaiiia,  ami  of  these  the  Gommou  Crow  and 
I>lue  Jay  are  by  far  the  best  known.  Indeed,  proba- 
bly no  two  representatives  of  onr  bird-fauna  are  more 
familiar  to  persons  who  are  at  all  acquainted  with 
rural  life  than  are  the  gaudy,  garrulous  Blue  Jay,  and 
his  suspicious,  pilfei'ing  relative,  the  Common  Crow. 

THK  IJAVRN. 

The  northern  Raven  is  a  sub-species,  that  was  first 
recognized  and  described  by  my  friend.  Prof.  Robert 
Ridgway,  the  eminent  Ornithologist  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institute,  Washington,  D  C.  This  bird  pos- 
sesses peculiarities  which  entitle  it  to  be  particular- 
ized by  the  technical  specific  principalis  to  distinguish 
the  new  form  from  that  of  its  near  kin  the  Common 
Raven,  {Corvus  corax),  of  the  older  authorities. 
It  ranges  from  "Greenland  to  Alaska,  soutli  to  British 
Columbia,  Canada,  New  Brunswick"  and  Pennsylvania. 
In  this  State  it  is  found  as  a  resident  in  a  number  of 
counties,  particularly  such  as  are  mountainous  and 
which  contain  large  areas  of  sparsely  s<>ttled  and  ex- 
tensivelv  forested  lands. 


255 

A    WARY    POTTr.TKY   THIKF. 

The  Raven  is  \prv  shy,  yef  1k'  will  oreasionnlly  coraH 
around  I'aiiii  Itiiildiiigs,  in  Ihv  iicMji'liboiliood  of  hi.s 
favorite  haunis  in  the  niountain  wilds,  to  catcli  vonn^' 
poultry  or  hunt  a  hen's  nest,  especially  that  of  I  he 
turkey  which  so  often  wanders  some  distance  from 
her  owner's  building  to  hatch.  The  damage,  however, 
to  domesticated  fowls  by  Ravens  in  Pennsylvania  is, 
I  am  sure,  very  insignificant. 

TIIEY  DESTROY   EGGS  AND  NESTLINGS. 

From  evidence  in  my  possession  I  am  fully  con- 
vinced that  Ravens,  like  their  dark-coated  relations, 
the  Crows,  do  devour  the  eggs  and  young  of  many 
wild  birds.  Game  birds,  such  as  the  Ruffed  Grouse 
and  Wild  Turkey,  woodsmen  say,  suffer  considerably, 
dui'ing  the  periods  when  they  have  eggs  and  broods 
o-f  young,  from  sly  and  unexpected  visits  of  these  cun- 
ning and  able-bodied  corvine  birds.  If  a  Turkey  or 
Pheasant,  with  her  children,  remains  in  the  locality 
and  the  fact  becomes  known  to  a  pair  of  Ravens,  the 
chances  are,  hunters  say,  that  the  Ravens  will  watch 
the  place  almost  constantly,  day  after  day,  until  they 
have  destroyed  or  driven  away  the  mother  and  her 
family  of  youngsters. 

(\\PTURE    RABBITS    AND    GROUSE. 

Ravens  unquestionably  kill  a  good  many  young 
Hares  and  they  also  sometimes  attack  and  overpower 
the  old  ones,  particularly  when  the  latter  are  en 
feebled  by  disease  or  wounded  by  human  hunters  or 
o1:her  animals  which  prey  on  them.  Rabbits  and 
Pheasants  entrapped  in  snares,  (which,  by  the  way, 
cannot  legally  be  used  in   Pennsylvania)  if  found  l>y 


256 

(lie  sliaip-eyed  Kaveii,  will  be  attacked  and  eaten  by 
liim  al'ter  he  lias  convinced  himself  that  the  nianinial 
or  bird,  suspended  from  the  co.rd  or  fine  copper  wire, 
has  not  been  placed  there  as  a  lure  to  his  own  destruc- 
tion. In  this  State  Ravens  are  generallv  seen  singly 
or  in  pairs,  but  often,  a  pair  with  their  family  of  in- 
(juisitive  and  noisy  children,  of  the  year,  may  be  ob- 
served together. 

WILL    SPEAK    AS    THEY    PASS    BY. 

I  have  known  two  or  three  pairs  of  Ravens  to  remain 
for  two  or  three  years  in  the  same  locality,  i.  e.,  in  a 
district,  of  ])erhaps  eight  or  ten  miles  square,  and  each 
j)air  of  birds,  as  well  as  the  youn^  ones,  appeared  to 
evince  no  disposition  tc<  be  on  intimate  relations  with 
their  neighbors.  Of  course  the  whole  Raven  clan,  no 
doubt,  had  a  speaking  acquaintance,  because  their 
hoarse  voices  could  always  be  heard  w^hen  they  came 
within  hailing  distance,  as  was  often  the  case. 

ATTACK    LAMBS    AND    FAWNS. 

Ravens,  like  the  Common  Crow,  will  scmetiuies  at- 
tack young  lambs  and  peck  out  their  eyes.  It  is  also 
asserted  by  hunters  that  these  birds  have  been  known 
to  attack  very  young  Fawns  when  their  watchful 
mothers  were  not  near  at  hand. 

RAVENS  A  QUARTER  OF  A  CENTURY  AGO. 

I  have  been  told,  by  old  hunters  and  woodsmen, 
that  t wen ly- five  o-r  thirty  years  ago  when  the  Vir- 
ginia Deer  was  abundant  in  many  sections  of  Penn- 
sylvania, that  Ravens  were  then  rather  numerous  in 
the  romantic  wilds  since  made  barren  through  the 
woodsmon's  axe  and  devaslalinu  fDicst  fii"(>s.     In  (hose 


257 

(lavs  fai'inei's  who  resided  in  the  vicinage  of  virgin 
timbered  areas  in  the  mountainous  districts  suffered 
co'nsiderably  from  the  spying,  argus-eyed  Ravens 
which  seemed  ever  on  the  alert  to  pounce  down  from 
some  carefully  cho-sen  hiding  place  and  rob  the  turkey 
or  the  chicken  of  her  eggs  or  brood.  Then  if  the  parent' 
sheep  did  not  keep  a  very  close  guard  over  their  young 
offspring  the  omnivorous  and  flesh-loving  Ravens 
would  attack  and  kill  them;  they  also,  it  is  affirmed, 
wei'c  known  to  pounce  upon,  in  at  least  two  instances, 
within  the  recollection  of  aged  mountaineers,  calves, 
but  a  few  daya  old;  and  on  another  occasion,  one  of 
my  informants  states  that  a  band  of  hungry  nomadic 
Ravens  attempted  to  make  a  meal  of  an  old  sow's 
litter  of  pigs  that  were  only  a  few  days  old,  and  so 
persistent  were  their  onslaughts  that  the  owner  of 
the  pigs  was  compelled  to  shoot  two  of  the  Ravens  be- 
fore they  would  leave  the  place. 

WOULD  ATTACK  THE  DEER. 

Deer  enfeebled  by  old  age  or  reduced  from  disease, 
and  also  when  wounded  by  human  huntsmen. 
Panthers,  Wolves,  Wild-cats  or  other  predatory  ani- 
mals which  possessed  sufficient  courage  and  prowess 
to  attack  them,  were  beset  at  times  by  Ravens  which 
would  peck  out  their  eyes  and  other  soft  parts,  par- 
ticularly portions  of  the  poor  deer's  anatomy  that  had 
been  opened  by  a  bullet  or  lacerated  with  teeth  or 
claws  of  some  cruel  carnivorous  beast. 

These  observations  showing  the  fierce  and  sangui- 
nary nature  of  Ravens  which,  with  labored  but  quick 
flight,  and  loud  harsh  cries,  over  a  quarter  of  a  century 
ago,  are  reputed  to  have  brought  so  much  misery  Into 

i7--n 


258 

the  hnppy  homes  of  many  of  their  neighbors — co- 
dwellers  in  the  mountain  wilds — I  cannot  confirm 
from  personal  observations  in  the  field  in  recent  years 
or  since  Ravens  have  become  very  much  less  numer- 
ous. 

IlELIABLE   INFORMANTS. 

The  statements,  however,  come  from  sources  which 
I  deem  thoroughly  trustworthy.  They  are  here  re- 
corded, substantially  as  given  to  me  by  aged  inform- 
ants, men,  whose  vocations  of  hunting,  trapping,  wO'od 
chopping  or  bark  peeling  compelled  them  to  live  al- 
most continually,  the  year  'round,  in  dense  forests  and 
other  wild,  uninhabited  places.  These  places,  how- 
ever, were  ideal  localities  for  a  careful  observer  to 
learn  the  life  histories  of  wild  animals  which  the  Wise 
Maker  designed  should  find  suitable  abodes  in  dark 
sylvan  shades  or  along  the  banks  of  the  cool,  health- 
ful waters  of  mountain  streams,  and  by  rocky  and 
mountainous  pathways,  vestiges  of  which  still  remain 
in  many  regions  of  the  Keystone  Commonwealth,  as 
if  to  remind  us  of  the  bloody  struggles  that  our  an- 
cestors; a  century  or  two  ago,  were  so  often  forced  to 
engage  in  with  the  Indians  who  made  these  "trails." 

ARE  ENEMIES  OF  SMALL  BIRDS. 

From  the  fact  that  I  have  often  observed  different 
kinds  of  small  birds,  which  build  their  summer  homes 
in  regions  selected  by  the  croaking  Raven  for  his 
abiding  place  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  always  show 
great  concern  whenever  a  solitary  Raven,  or  worse 
still  a  pair  of  them,  came  near  their  nest  of  young,  it 
is  siafe  to  infer  that  the  solicitude  they  manifested 
was  due  to  a  knowledge  obtained,  perhaps,  by  bitter 


259 

experience  that,  if  tlie  .Mephistophelean-like  ejes  of 
the  powerful  marauder,  attired  in  his  funereal  coat,  dis- 
covered their  precious  treasures  they  would  soon  be 
''gobbled  up"  to  help  supply  Mr.  Raven's  gastrc-noraic 
needs,  which  are  great,  and  likewise  most  varying,  as 
is  the  case  with  all  omnivorous  animals. 

THEY  CONSUME  MANY  INSECTS. 

The  Kaven  will  consume  annually  a  good  many  in- 
sects, particularly  the  numerous  ground-inhabiting 
and  wood-destroying  beetles;  crickets,  grasshoppers 
and  "grub  wcirms"  he  eats  with  great  gusto. 

Beetles  and  grubs  he  generally  finds  about  old 
stumps  and  dead  logs.  On  two  occasions  I  have  seen 
Ravens  hunting  in  newly  plowed  ground  for  larvae, 
beetles  and  mice.  They  feed  on  different  kinds  of 
small  mammals,  besides  young  Hares,  as  previously 
mentioned;  and  they  have  been  known  to  attack  and 
kill  Flying  Squirrels  and  Chipmunks,  but  their  usual 
articles  of  food  in  the  w^ay  of  mammals  are  the  differ- 
ent species  of  mice  which  abound  in  woods  and  fields. 

EAT  BERRIES,   NUTS,   FROGS  AND  SNAKES. 

Ravens  will  eat,  with  great  relish,  different  kinds 
of  berries  which  grow  wild,  and  often  in  great  abund- 
ance, in  the  mountainous  districts.  Cherry,  peach  and 
apple  trees,  which  aie  not  uncommon  in  many  wild 
mountainous  places  remote  from  human  habitation. 
are  often  visited  by  Ravens  to  feed  on  the  ripe  or 
T'ipening  fruit.  In  the  Autumn  or  Winter  season,  like 
the  Ruffed  Grouse,  Ravens  may  be  seen  at  times  hunt- 
ing abO'Ut  apple  trees  for  the  seeds  of  the  fruit  which 
they  collect  from  the  ground,  or  by  pecking  into  the 


260 

rotten  and  frozen  apples  which  hang  on  the  twigs; 
and,  like  tlieii*  saucy  relations,  the  Jays,  dressed  in 
jaunt.v  plumed  hats,  white  vests  and  bright  blue  coats, 
they  eat  chestnuts,  beechnuts,  acorns  and  other  seeds 
known  as  "mast."  They  eateh  frogs  and  sometimes 
kill  and  devour  small  sized  snakes.  They  will  go  in 
shallow  water  to  catch  fishes  which  they  consume. 
Most  flesh  eating  animals,  either  birds  or  quadru- 
peds, which  obtain  their  livelihood  by  open  warfare, 
do  not  show  an  inclination  to  feed  upon  carrion  and 
offal  unless  compelled  to  do  so  by  reason  of  the 
scarcity  of  normal  food  supplies. 

THEY  SOMETIMES  PREFER  CARRION. 

The  Raven,  however,  has  the  habit  of  subsisting,  in 
part  at  least,  on  such  a  menu,  even  when  other  food 
could  be  obtained  with  the  usual  cunning  and  activity 
displayed  by  this  race  of  pilferers.  Of  this  I  was 
fully  convinced  some  three  years  ago,  when  visiting 
at  Glen  Union,  Clinton  county.  Pa.,  where  two  or 
three  families  of  Ravens  had  their  headquarters  in 
rocky  cliffs,  some  four  miles  in  the  interior.  At  ir- 
regular intervals  some  of  the  meddlesome  tribe  would 
come  down  to  dwellings,  along  the  Susquehanna  river, 
and  steal  a  young  chicken  or  rob  a  hen's  nest;  and, 
on  one  occasion,  I  noticed  two  of  them  in  a  vine, 
along  the  road  near  the  railroad  station  (Glen  Union), 
eating  "frost"  or  chicken  grapes,  a  common  article  of 
diet,  by  the  way,  for  the  Pheasant  or  Ruffed  Grouse. 
These  Ravens  daily  came  to  the  places  where  the 
woodsmen  ate  their  dinners  and  fed  the  horses,  and  in 
a  short  time  after  being  allowed  to  pick  up,  un- 
molested, pieces  of  bread  and  meat  about  the  camp, 
they  became  quite  tnnie,  unless  they  saw  a  stranger 


261 

appear  about  the  place,  when  they  flew  off  in,  ap- 
parently, great  anger.  By  some  accident  a  horse  was 
killed  and  its  body  hurled  into  a  deep  ravine.  By 
this  mishap  I  learned  that  Ravens  w^ere  very  partial 
to  horse  flesh,  as  they  daily  visited  thedecayingcarcass, 
and  seemingly  made  little  or  no  efl'orts  to  obtain  othei' 
kinds  of  food. 

When  deer  are  shot  and  eviscerated  Ravens  come 
around  and  feed  on  the  refuse  matter.  At  such  times 
thej'  generally  are  seen  in  pairs,  but  sometimes  sev- 
eral are  together. 

THE]  FISH  CROW. 

The  Fish  Crow,  smaller  than  the  Ck>mmon  Crow, 
glossy  black  with  green  and  violet  reflections,  occurs 
chiefly  about  maritime  districts  of  the  Atlantic  Coast, 
from  Long  Island  to  Florida.  In  Pennsylvania  the 
Fish  Crow  is  found,  in  the  summer  season,  along  the 
shores  of  the  Delaware  river  and  about  the  Susque- 
hanna river  from  Columbia,  Lancaster  county,  south- 
ward. The  Fish  Crow  has  the  same  bad  habit  which 
has  made  such  a  blot  on  the  good  name  of  its  near 
kinsman,  the  Common  Crow,  namely,  that  of  robbing, 
Audubon  tells  us,  other  birds  of  their  eggs  and  young. 
However,  such  deeds  of  rapine,  on  the  part  of  the  Fish 
Crow,  are,  it  is  believed,  much  less  frequent  than  is 
the  case  with  the  Common  Crow. 

Some  observers,  however,  assert  that  ^feadowlarks, 
T'lapper  Rails,  Terns,  Quails  and  other  smaller  species 
of  birds  suffer  the  loss  of  many  of  their  eggs  and 
younglhroughthe  thieving  propensities  of  Fish  Crows, 
which  are  common  about  the  sea  coast  regions. 


262 

THE    COMMON   CROW. 

This  well-known  species  is  common,  during  all 
seasons  of  the  year,  in  Pennsylvania.  At  times, 
other  than  when  breeding,  these  birds  are  gregarious 
and  often  collect  in  large  flocks.  Dr.  C.  Hart  Mer- 
riam.  Chief  of  the  Biological  Division  of  the  U.  S. 
Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D,  C,  in 
briefly  summarizing  the  food  habits  of  the  Crow,  in 
a  letter  of  transmittal  that  appears  in  Bulletin  No.  0, 
prepared  by  his  assistants,  Messrs.  W.  B.  Barrows  and 
E.  A.  Schwarz,  whose  exhaustive  report,  entitled, 
"The  Common  Crow  of  the  United  States,"  is  based 
on  nearly  a  thousand  stomach  examinations  of  Crows 
taken  during  all  seasons,  and  careful  field  notes,  says: 

WHAT  THE  CROW  IS   CHARGED   WITH. 

"The  most  important  charges  brought  against  the  Crow  are: 
(1)  That  it  pulls  sprouting  corn;  (2)  that  it  injures  corn  in 
the  milk;  (3)  that  it  destroys  cultivated  fruit;  and  (4)  that  it 
feeds  on  the  eggs  and  young  of  poultry  and  wild  birds. 

"All  of  these  charges  are  sustained  by  the  stomach  exami- 
nations, so  far  as  the  simple  fact  that  Crows  feed  upon  the 
substance  named.  But  the  extent  of  the  injury  is  a  very  dif- 
ferent matter. 

RESULTS   OF   CRITICAL   ANALYSES. 

"In  order  to  ascertain  whether  the  sum  of  the  harm  done 
outweighs  the  sum  of  the  good,  or  the  contrary,  the  different 
kinds  of  food  found  in  the  stomach  have  been  reduced  to 
quantitative  percentages  and  contrasted.  The  total  quantity 
of  corn  eaten  during  the  entire  year  amounts  to  25  per  cent, 
of  the  food  of  the  adult  Crow,  and  only  nine  and  three-tenth 
per  cent,  of  the  food  of  young  Crows.  Leaving  the  young  out  of 
consideration,  it  may  be  said  that  in  agricultural  districts 
about  one-fourth  of  the  food  of  Crows  consists  of  corn.  But 
less  than  14  per  cent,  of  this  corn,  and  only  3  per  cent,  of  the 
total  food  of  the  Crow,  consists  of  sprouting  corn  and  corn  in 
the  milk;  the  remaining  86  per  cent,  of  the  corn,  or  97  per  cent. 


263 

of  the  total  food,  is  chiefly  waste  grain  picked  up  here  and  there, 
mainly  in  winter,  and  is  of  no  economic  value. 

DO    TRIVIAL    DAMAGE    TO    FRUIT. 

"In  the  case  of  cultvated  fruits  the  loss  Is  trivial.  The  same 
is  true  of  the  eggs  and  young  of  poultry  and  wild  birds,  the 
total  for  the  year  amounting  to  only  one  per  cent,  of  the  food. 

"As  an  offset  to  his  bad  habits,  the  Crow  is  to  be  credited 
with  the  good  done  in  destroying  noxious  insects  and  other 
injurious  animals.  Insects  form  26  per  cent  of  the  entire  food, 
and  the  great  majority  of  these  are  grasshoppers.  May  beetles, 
cut  worms  and  other  injurious  kinds.  It  is  shown  that  during 
the  May  beetle  season,  in  May  and  June,  these  beetles  form 
the  principal  insect  food  of  the  Crow.  Only  a  few  stomachs 
do  not  contain  them,  and  stomachs  are  often  filled  with 
them.  The  fact  that  the  May  beetle  season  coincides  with  the 
breeding  season  of  the  Crow  is  of  special  importance,  the 
principal  insect  food  of  nestling  Crows  consisting  of  these 
beetles.  :  -f^] 

DEVOUR    LEGIONS   OF   BEETLES   AND   GRASSHOPPERS. 

Mr.  Schwarz  also  finds  that  grasshoppers  occur  in  tlite' 
stomachs  throughout  the  year;  during  May  beetle  season  they 
occur  in  the  vast  majority  of  stomachs,  but  usually  in  mod- 
erate numbers;  that  with  the  disappearance  of  May  beetles 
towards  the  end  of  June  they  increase  in  numbers  until  in 
August  and  throughout  the  fall  they  constitute  by  far  the 
greater  part  of  insect  food,  often  occurring  in  astonishing 
numbers,   often  forming  the  only  insect   food. 

"To  the  same  side  of  the  scale  must  be  added  the  destruc- 
tion of  mice,  rabbits,  and  other  injurious  rodents  by  the  Crow. 

"In  the  summing  up  of  the  benefits  and  losses  resulting  from 
the  habits  of  this  bird,  it  is  clear  that  the  good  exceeds  the 
bad  and  that  the  Crow  is  a  friend  rather  than  an  enemy  of 
the  farmer." 

THE  CROW  DESTROYS   ARMY  WORMS. 

During  the  mouths  of  Jul^'  and  August,  1890,  when 
the  writer  was  engaged  in  studying  the  Army  Worm, 
{Leucania  vnipunda),  which  preyed  upon  cereals, 
(particularly  oats)  grass,  etc.,  in  this  State  to  the  ex- 


2G4 

tent  probablv  of  1^00,000  (estimated)  abundant  oppor- 
tunity was  afforded  to  learn  what  species  of  birds  and 
other  animals  subsisted  on  the  voracious  larvae. 

While  conducting  these  investigations,  in  different 
parts  of  Pennsylvania,  several  hundred  birds  of 
various  species  were  shot  and  examined.  These  post- 
mortem examinations,  as  well  as  observations  in  the 
field,  demonstrated  conclusively  that  Crows  and  Crow 
Blackbirds  were,  perhaps,  the  most  useful  of  all  birds 
in  devouring  army  worms. 

CROWS   AND   BLACKBIRDS. 

The  viscera  of  twenty-three  Crows,  old  and  young, 
which  were  captured  in  different  counties  of  the  State, 
and  in  localities  where  army  worms  were  abundant, 
were  in  many  instances,  found  to  be  gorged  with  the 
remains  of  these  larvae.  Crows  also  ate  large  num- 
bers of  pupae.  I  noticed  Crows  or  Blackbirds,  espe- 
cially the  Common  Crow  Blackbird,  to  be  quite  numer- 
ous in  nearly  all  fields  where  the  crawling  hosts  were 
abundant,  and  these  dark-colored  and  badly  abused 
birds,  by  their  constant  warfare  on  the  worms,  did 
much  to  keep  in  check  the  damage  to  cereal  and  other 
crops.  Crows  were  generally  to  be  observed  singly  or 
in  pairs,  sometimes  in  parties,  five  or  seven  indi- 
viduals, but  the  Blackbirds  were  often  noticed  in  good 
sized  flocks.  One  flock  of  Blackbirds  numbered  fully 
seventy-five  individuals  and  they  all  seemed  to  be 
intently  engaged  for  a  considerable  time  in  the  morn- 
ing or  evening,  as  well  as  at  intervals  in  mid-day, 
destroying  the  Army  Worm.  A  Crow  would  eat  a 
handful  of  the  worms  at  a  single  meal;  the  numbei- 
whicli  a  single  bird  would  devour  in  a  day  was  im- 
mense. 


265 

FARMERS    PRAISED   THEM. 

Several  farmers  whose  premises  I  visited  when  in- 
ve8tij!:atinff  the  ravages  of  the  Army  Worm  expressed 
great  surprise  when  they  were  informed  that  Crows 
and  Blackbirds  fed  almost  wholly  on  the  voracious 
insect-pests  which  were  devastating  the  oats,  barley. 
corn  and  grass  fields,  "^lien  specimens  of  these  birds 
were  shot  and  the  contents  of  their  stomachs  exposed, 
they  admitted  that  the  birds  were  not  as  bad  as  it 
was  commonly  supposed. 

SOME   BAD   HABITS. 

The  Orow's  fondness  for  eggs  and  young  of  domesti- 
cated fowls,  as  well  as  his  penchant  for  despoiling  the 
nests  of  numerous  wild  birds  of  their  eggs  and  young, 
is  well  known;  then  again  the  Crow  visits  the  corn- 
field in  the  springtime  and  in  the  Autumn  he  often 
does  considerable  damage.  These  carnivorous  tastes 
and  grain-eating  habits  of  the  Crow  have  caused,  it 
seems,  a  great  many  of  our  farmers  to  place  Mr.  Crow 
under  ban. 

The  Crow  Blackbird,  like  the  Ck>mmon  Crow,  de- 
stroys the  eggs  and  young  of  different  species  of  bene- 
ficial birds  which  nest  in  orchards,  parks  and  gardens, 
and  he  also  often,  like  the  Crow,  visits  the  cornfield 
or  cherry  tree.  However,  if  farmers  would  take  the 
trouble  in  the  Spring  when  Crows  and  their  bright- 
eyed  relatives — the  Blackbirds — are  at  work  in  corn- 
fields to  carefuully  investigate,  they  would  find,  no 
doubt,  as  the  writer  has,  that  these  birds  are  not 
there  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  corn,  but  to  sav*^ 
it  from  crawling  toes  which  hide  beneath  the  soil. 

i7*-n 


266 

THEY  EAT  GRUBS  AND  "BUGS." 

Reader,  if  yon  doubt  this  statement  take  the 
tronble,  sometime  in  the  Sprinjr,  when  yon  see  Crows 
and  Blackbirds  in  a  cornfield  when  the  corn  is  an 
inch  or  two  above  the  ground,  to  shoot  some  of  the 
birds,  open  their  stomachs,  and  the  chances  are  ten 
to  one  you  will  discover  that  these  "corn-pulling" 
birds  have  nothing  but  "cutworms,"  other  larvae,  and 
beetles  in  their  fo-od  receptacles. 

SOMETIMES    STEAL    THE    CORN. 

The  Crow,  undoubtedly,  at  times,  particularly  in  the 
fall  when  the  farmer  is  slow  about  taking  corn  in 
from  a  field,  sometimes  does  considerable  damage. 
Tn  the  Spring  this  bird  also  occasionally  does  a  good 
deal  of  mischief  in  cornfields.  This  same  statement 
may  likewise  be  made  concerning  the  Blackbird. 
However,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  both  species 
of  birds  just  mentioned  destroy  more  or  less  corn,  the 
great  amount  of  good  they  do  by  destroying  innum- 
erable insect  foes  which  prey  constantly,  during  the 
summer  season,  on  grain,  fruit  and  garden  crops,  is. 
according  to  my  judgment,  considerably  in  excess  of 
losses  incurred  from  casual  predatory  visits  which 
these  omnivorous  birds  make  to  the  growing  or 
ripened  corn. 

THEY  DEVOUR  EGGS  AND  NESTLINGS. 

If  it  was  not  for  the  bad  habit  which  the  Crow  has 
of  destroying  eggs  and  young  of  both  poultry  and 
wild  birds,  and  the  same  is  true  of  the  Grow  Black- 
bird which  has  acquired  quite  an  appetite  for  eggs 
and  nestlings  of  different  species  of  small  wild  birds. 


267 

there  could  be  no  possible  reason  for  doubt  in  the  mind 
of  any  naturalist  about  both  of  these  well-known 
species  being  far  more  beneficial  than  harmful  to  the 
farmer  and  fruit  grower.  Sportsmen  also  view  the 
Crow  and  Crow  Blackbird,  especially  the  former,  in 
an  unfavorable  light  because  they  will  often  destroy 
the  eggs  and  sometimes  the  young  of  game  birds. 
Grouse  and  Quail,  Meadowlarks,  etc.  Along  the  salt 
water  marshes  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  when  collecting 
specimens  with  my  genial  and  gifted  friend,  the 
naturalist,  Mr.  C.  M.  Busch,  we  have  observed  Crows 
pillaging  the  nests  of  Terns  and  Mudhens,  or  Clapper 
Rails,  as  ornithologists  call  them. 

THE  JAYS. 

Two  species  of  Jays — that  is,  feathered  Jays — in- 
cluded in  the  sub-family  GARRULINAE,  are  at- 
tributed to  the  fauna  of  Pennsylvania. 

One  of  these,  the  Canada  Jay,  a  native  of  the  dis- 
tant north,  is  seldom  found  as  far  south  as  this  State, 
where  it  has  only  been  taken  as  a  rare  straggler  in 
winter. 

THE    BLUE    JAY. 

This  bird,  of  bright  color,  saucy,  independent  ways 
and  mimicking  voice,  is  eonimon  and  well-known  to 
every  farmer's  boy,  woodsman  and  hunter.  While  all 
admire  him,  because  of  his  showy  coat  and  cunning 
habits,  he  is,  nevertheless  very  generally  regarded 
with  disfavor  because  of  his  mischievous  traits  of 
character. 

Blue  Jays,  like  some  school  boys,  seem  to  go  out  of 
their  way  to  hunt  trouble,  and  usually  they  get  it, 


268 

but,  often,  not  until  they  have  caused  a  good  deal  of 
bother  or  suffering  to  others  about  them. 

DISTRIBUTION. 

The  Blue  Jay  has  an  extensive  range,  being  found 
over  the  whole  of  the  United  States  east  of  the  Great 
Plains,  from  the  warm  climate  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
northward  to  the  dreary  wilds  of  the  Fur  Countries. 

In  Pennsj'lvania,  and,  it  is  said,  in  most  parts  O'f 
their  range,  they  remain  throughout  all  seasons  of  the 
year.  Tliese  beautiful  birds  commonly  resort  to 
forests  to  breed,  yet  they  do  not  live  like  hermits  in 
the  woods,  for  when  searching  for  food  they  frequently 
come  about  orchards,  gardens,  meadows  and  farm 
buildings.  In  the  cold  winter  season  when  the 
ground  is  covered  with  snows  these  birds  will  visit 
the  farmer's  corn  crib,  and  like  the  Crow  Blackbird, 
and  Red-headed  Woodpecker,  peck  at  corn  wliich  can 
be  readied  from  the  outside  through  the  slats. 

SOMETIMES   SEEN  IN   FLOCKS. 

elays  when  breeding  commonly  are  seen  in  pairs, 
but  in  ihe  late  summer  and  fall  it  is  not  unusual  to 
find  them  in  small  flocks;  on  different  occasions  I 
have  seen  twenty  or  twenty-five  of  them  feeding  in 
beech,  chestnut  or  apple  trees.  Blue  Jays,  as  is  the 
habit  of  other  members  of  their  family,  will  feed  on 
different  cereals,  but  of  all  the  grains,  corn  or  maize 
is  the  one  most  preferred.  A  pair  of  Jays  will  pilot 
their  young  ones,  when  able  to  fly.  to  a  cc^rnfteld  to 
feed;  and  sometimes  a  good-sized  flock  of  these 
sprightly  birds  may  be  observed  at  work  in  a  corn  field, 
particularly  if  located  along  the  edge  of  a  dense  woods. 


269 

ITS    ECONOMIC    RELATIONS. 

Mr.  F.  E.  L.  Beal,  Biologist,  U.  S.  Department  of 
Agriculture,  has  recently  prepared  and  published  a 
very  interesting  and  valuable  paper  relative  to  "The 
Blue  Jay  and  its  Food."  This  paper,  based  on  about 
300  examinations  of  "stomachs  collected  in  every 
month  of  the  year  from  22  States,  the  District  of 
Columbia  and  Canada,"  places  the  Jay  in  a  most 
favorable  light. 

MR.    REAL'S    SUMMARY    OF    ITS    FOOD. 

"The  most  striking-  point  in  the  study  of  the  food  of  the  Blue 
Jay  is  the  discrepancy  between  the  testimony  of  field  observers 
concerning-  the  bird's  nest-robbing  proclivities  and  the  results 
of  stomach  examinations.  The  accusations  of  eating  eggs  and 
young-  birds  are  certainly  not  sustained,  and  it  is  futile  to  at- 
tempt to  reconcile  the  conflicting  statements  on  this  point,  -which 
must  be  left  until  more  accurate  observations  have  been 
made.  Most  of  the  predaceous  beetles  which  it  eats  do  not 
feed  on  other  insects  to  any  great  extent.  On  the  other  hand, 
it  destroys  some  grasshoppers  and  caterpillars  and  many, 
noxious  beetles,  such  as  SCARABAEIDS,  click  beetles 
rELATERIDS),  weevils  (CTJRCULIONTDS),  BUFRESTTDS, 
CHRYSOMELIDS,  and  TENEBRIONIDS. 

The  Blue  Jay  obtains  its  fruit  from  nature's  orchard  and 
vineyard,  not  from  man's;  corn  is  the  only  vegetable  food 
for  which  the  farmer  suffers  any  loss  and  here  the  damage 
is  small.  In  fact,  the  examination  of  nearly  300  stomachs 
shows    that   the   Blue    Jay   does   far   more   good    than    harm." 

WHAT    AUDUBON    LEARNED. 

The  field  observations  of  Audubon,  made  many 
years  ago,  prompted  this  great  naturalist  and  truthful 
authority,  to  write  in  no  complimentary  words  of  the 
manner  in  which  Jays  delight  to  kill  birds  and  pillage 
the  nests  of  pigeons  and  domesticated  fowls. 


270 


HE    HUNTS    METHODICALLY. 

It  is  no  unusual  sight,  in  the  summer  time,  to  see 
a  Jay  quietly  slip  from  tree  to  tree  in  a  woods  and 
starting  from  the  lower  limbs  of  each  tree  he  performs 
a  cork-screw-like  inspection  tour  around  the  trunk 
and  along  the  limbs  until  he  has  inspected  the  whole 
tree,  when  he  flits  to  another  leafy  retreat  to  look 
fcr  eggs  or  young  birds,  or  perhaps  some  observers 
may  say,  on  such  occasions,  he  is  only  looking  for 
beetles,  caterpillars,  "bugs,"  wasps  or  flies.  Of  course, 
Mr.  Jay  would  doubtless,  when  on  these  foraging  ex- 
cursio-ns,  pick  up  such  forms  of  insect-life  which  would 
please  his  palate,  but  my  belief  is  that  at  these  times 
he  is  bent  on  mischief  and  wants  eggs  or  nestlings, 
and  this  same  belief,  it  seems,  is  shared  by  Tanagers, 
Orioles,  Flycatchers,  Warblers  and  others  of  the 
beneficial  feathered  kind  which  build  their  fragile 
summer  domiciles  in  trees,  for  as  soon  as  a  meddle- 
some Jay  comes  around,  the  other  birds  show  great 
agitation  and  promptly  proceed  to  give  him  battle. 

WHY  DO   THEY  DO  THIS? 

Possibly  some  observers  believe  insect-devouring 
forest  birds  such  as  the  Scarlet  Tanager,  Red-eyed 
Vireo,  the  ni.merous  kinds  of  Warblers  and  other 
sweet-voiced  songsters,  which  make  war  on  the  Jay 
that  comes  about  their  homes,  do  so  because  they  are 
prompted  by  jealousy,  and  fear  the  unwelcome  visitor, 
attired  in  his  showy  coat  of  blue,  with  whitish  w^aist- 
coat,  black  cravat,  and  high,  peaked  hat,  will  catch 
too  many  palatable  insects  around  their  dwelling 
places.  From  careful  field  observations  of  fully 
twenty  years,  I  am  strongly  of  the  opinion  that  these 
gaudily  dressed,  and   saucy,    inquisitive    Jays    make 


271 

stealthy  raids  in  trees,  etc.,  with  murderous  designs 
in  their  hearts,  and  of  this  the  other  birds  are  well 
aware,  hence  their  cries  of  distress  and  defensive 
actions  in  order  to  save,  from  ruin,  their  fragile  eggs 
and  half-fledged  young. 

THEY  KNOW  THEIR  ENEMIES. 

These  several  species  of  tree-inhabiting  and  insect- 
devouring  birds,  previously  referred  to,  certainly  are 
not  prompted  by  the  Jay's  superior  size  to  give  him 
battle  when  he  visits  their  domiciles.  If  they  are  why 
is  it  that  they  do  not  pitch  into  the  Turkey  Vulture 
which  often  comes  in  their  midst?  It  is,  kind  reader, 
because  years  of  experience  has  proven  that  the  Jay, 
like  some  members  of  the  genus  homo,  arrayed  in  fine 
dress  and  with  insinuating  ways,  is  a  despoiler  of 
homes,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  life  of  the  Turkey 
Buzzard  is  one  of  honesty,  though  extremely  disgust- 
ing and  filthy. 

IS  MR.  JAY  A  FEATHERED  JEKYL  AND  HYDE? 

I  am  disposed  to  believe  after  learning  how  natu- 
ralists— all  of  whom  are  undoubtedly  thoroughly  hon- 
est and  sincere — differ  in  their  statements  of  the  good 
or  harm  which  the  Jay  does,  that  this  bird  may  be 
like  the  changeable  Dr.  Jekyl  and  Mr.  Hyde,  or  per- 
haps he  is  sometimes  not  unlike  the  servant  of  that 
hunted  Huguenot  refugee  Sier  de  la  Tournoire,  Blaise 
Trepault  by  nnnie.  in  the  play  entitled  "An  Enemy  to 
the  King."  This  lackey  at  times,  as  the  plot  goes, 
fairly  overflows  with  honeyed  words,  kind  acts  and 
godly  sayings,  to  the  great  pleasure  and  benefit  of 
his  hearers;  but  at  other  times,  he  suddenly  changes, 
as  it  were,  into  a  hideous  monster  attired  in  showy 


272 

dress,  be  becomes  violent,  rude  of  speech,  sanguinary 
in  acts  and  profane  in  utterance. 

"MORE  LIKE   HIS  DAD   EVERY   DAY." 

When  such  versatility  of  words  and  deportment  are 
questioned  by  the  fair  French  maid  Jeannotte  of  the 
beautiful  but  faltering  Julie  de  Varion — he  answers: 

"My  dear,  I  have  two  hearts  and  dispositions.  When  I 
speak  kindly  or  am  modest  and  so  good  it  is  because  I  am 
following  the  dictations  of  mother's  heart  and  teachings;  but 
when  rude  and  bloodthirsty,  or  wicked  in  my  wants,  my 
words  and  deeds  are  inspired  by  a  plutonian  father's  heart, 
which  impels  to  arts  black  as  Cimmerian  gloom." 

Tlie  thought  has  occurred  to  the  writer  that  per- 
haps Jays  are  two-hearted  animals,  for  seme  observ- 
ers seem  to  have  studied  principally  Jays  with  good 
dispositions  and  mother's  hearts,  while  on  the  other 
hand  investigators,  it  would  appear,  have  been  able 
to  find  Jays  chiefly  of  bad  thoughts,  and  deeds  of  vio- 
lence, transmitted,  of  course,  from  vicious  sires,  for, 
most  happily,  it  is  rare  to  find  a  loyal  wife  and  mother, 
true  and  pure,  who  would  teach  her  offspring  to  do  ill. 

THEY  ARE  OMNIVOROUS. 

The  Jays,  like  other  birds  of  the  family,  are  omnivor- 
ous in  their  food-habits.  They  consume  much  vege- 
table food,  such  as  cereals,  mast,  berries  and  fruits; 
tlieir  animal  food  comprises"  numerous  insects  and 
their  larvae,  with  spiders,  snails,  lizards,  fish,  tree 
frogs,  mice,  birds  and  eggs.  Oonsiderable  mineral 
matter,  sand,  gravel,  etc.,  is  often  fmind  in  their  stom 
achs. 


27:i 

SHRIKES    OR    BUTCHER-BIRDS. 

Two  species  and  one  "geograpliical  race,''  of  Shrikes 
are  found  in  Pennsylvania.  The  name  of  Butcher- 
bird is  applied  to  these  birds  because  of  the  habit 
they  have  of  impaling  prey — insects,  mice,  small  birds, 
etc., — on  thorns  or  sharp  projecting  twigs  of  bushes 
or  trees.  The  insects,  mice  or  birds,  which  they  catch 
and  impale  were  supposed,  by  some  old  writer,  to 
resemble  the  wares  of  the  butcher  on  the  market 
shambles,  hence  the  popular  appellation. 

THE   NORTHERN   SHRIKE. 

This^  species,  the  largest  of  the  three  Shrikes  occur- 
ring in  Pennsylvania,  is  found  with  us  only  as  a  winter 
sojourner.  During  its  residence  in  this  region  from 
November  to  April,  it  frequents  briery  thickets,  thorn 
hedges,  and  grassy  fields  near  trees  and  shrubbery. 
The  Northern  Shrike  breeds  beyond  the  Northern 
United  States.  This  bird  as  well  as  the  species  called 
Loggerhead  Shrike,  and  its  very  intimate  relation, 
(specimens  of  which  are  so  nearly  alike  the  typical 
Loggerhead  that  experts  are  unable  at  times  to  dis- 
tinguish the  "race"  from  the  species)  the  "geographical 
race,"  styled  in  common  ornithological  parlance,  the 
White  rumped  Shrike,  are  known,  in  some  sections  of 
our  State  as  the  little  "Gray  Hawk." 

AN  IMPROPER  NAME. 

This  name,  of  course,  is  highly  inappropriate,  as 
Shrikes  are  not  related  to  the  Hawks.  The  name, 
however,  is  given  by  farmers  and  gunners,  who  see 
these  birds  catch  small  birds,  mice,  etc.  During  recent 
years,  or  since  the  English  Sparrow^  our  imported  bird 
nuisance,  has  become  so  alarmingly  abundant  in  the 
18-n 


274 

cities  and  towns,  Shrilies — particularly  the  Nortlit^rn 
Shrike — have  learned  to  visit  lawns,  parks  and  gar- 
dens, and  ivy-covered  buildings,  to  prey  on  these 
passerine  pests,  which  before  many  years  will  become 
a  serious  menace  to  our  farmers  and  pomologists. 

This  sparrow-devouring  habit  which  the  Shrike  has 
developed  in  recent  years,  has,  fortunately,  won  for 
him  the  good  will  of  many,  who,  in  former  years, 
through  ignorance  destroyed  this  bird,  because  it  was 
alleged,  and  generally  believed  that  the  Shrike  preyed 
on  domesticated  fowls. 

A  BENEFICIAL  SPECIES. 

The  poor  Shrike,  whicb  gains  a  livelihood  principally 
by  catching  destructive  beetles,  grasshoppers  and  mice, 
was  placed  on  the  black-list  by  farmers  and  poultry- 
raisers,  who,  because  of  insufficient  knowledge,  mis- 
took this  gray-coated  benefactor,  when  he  came  about 
their  premises  to  devour  insidious  foes,  for  one  or  the 
other  of  the  two  or  three  smaller  species  of  Hawus 
which  are  fully  described  on  preceding  pages  of  this 
volume. 

THE   LOGGERHEAD   SHRIKE. 

This  bird  is  noticeably  smaller  than  its  cousin,  the 
Northern  Shrike,  which  is  so  named  because  it  rears 
its  young  in  boreal  regions  where  at  the  close  of  the 
fleeting  arctic  summer  it  is  compelled,  with  its  pro- 
geny, to  migrate  southward  where  it  can  find  a  suffi- 
cient supply  of  desirable  food. 

A    SUMMER   BIRD    HERE. 

The  Loggerhead  is  a  common  summer  bird  in  many 
parts  of  Pennsylvania,  particularly  in  the  northwest- 


275 

ern  end  of  the  State  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Erie,  a 
sliort  distance  from  the  busy  city  of  Erie. 

FREDS    ON    INSECTS. 

This  species  feeds  chiefly  on  insects,  particularly 
.ii;rasshoppers  and  ground-inhabiting  beetles.  They 
destroy  a  good  many  May  beetles,  mice,  and  some  small 
birds.  Occasionally  they  kill,  I  have  been  told,  English 
Sparrows;  but  their  attacks  on  sparrows  and  other 
small  birds  are  much  less  frequent  than  is  the  case 
with  the  Great  Northern  Shrike. 

SOMETIMES    TRY    TO    KILL    CHICKS. 

I  have  on  two  or  three  occasions  been  informed  by 
farmers  that  Butcher-birds  (said  to  be  the  Loggerhead 
species)  had  been  seen  to  make  attempts  to  catch 
young  chickens  but  a  few  days  old.  It  is,  however,  a 
rare  thing  for  one  of  these  birds  to  make  an  attack 
on  young  chickens,  and  I  think,  it  can  be  stated,  with 
absolute  safety,  that  all  the  Shrikes  that  have  been  in 
Pennsylvania  during  the  past  ten  years  have  not  com- 
mitted depredations  in  the  poultry  yards  which  would 
amount  to  five  dollars. 


276 


NORTHERN  RAVEN. 
Ck)rvus  corax  principalis. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Size  large;  entire  plumage  of  glossy  black  with  purplish 
reflections;  feathers  of  throat  lengthened,  disconnected  and 
pointed;  bill  large,  and  like  the  feet  and  legs  its  color  is  black. 
The  eyes  are  dark  brown;  length,  about  2  feet;  extent  4  feet 
or  more. 

ila6i7a<.— iNorthern  North  America,  from  Greenland  to 
Alaska,  south  to  British  Columbia,  Canada,  Pennsylvania, 
Maryland,   West  Virginia,   etc. 

This,  the  largest  bird  of  its  family  occurring  in 
Pennsylvania,  is  found  here  as  a  resident.  In  the 
summer  season  Ravens  rarely  leave  their  native 
heather  where,  in  a  region  abounding  in  stately  forest 
monarchs  and  precipitous  rocky  cliffs,  they  can  rest  in 
comparative  safety  from  enemies,  especially  man 
whom  they  dread  the  most  of  all. 

MUST    WATCH    THE    FOX. 

Sometimes  when  Ravens  nest  on  rocky  ledges  or  in 
caverns  in  the  mountains,  as  they  do  very  often,  their 
eggs  or  vioung  are  taken  by  Poxes  or  Wildcats.  If 
Ravens  build  in  a  locality  which  they  find  is  accessible 
to  the  cunning  Fox  or  sneaking  Wildcat  they  abandon 
the  place,  and  if  no  suitable  nesting  site  can  be  found 
on  some  high  rocky  place  inaccessible  to  these  and 
other  carnivorous  animals,  they  build  high  up  in  tall 
trees,  selecting  usually  the  white  pine. 

THE  NEST  AND  EGGS. 

The  nest  of  the  Raven  is  a  rude  structure  composed 
largely  of  sticks,  twigs,  moss  and  bark. 


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277 

When  built  under  the  shelter  of  overhanging  rocks 
much  less  effort  is  made  to  construct  a  nest  than  is 
done  when  their  home  is  placed  high  up  in  some  tall 
pine  or  other  large  forest  tree.  The  eggs  are  usually 
4  or  5  in  number;  they  measure  about  2  inches  long  by 
1.30  inches  in  width.  Their  color  is  "greenish,  dotted, 
blotched  and  clouded  with  neutral  tints,  purplish  and 
blackish-browns." 

THEY    RAISE    ONE    BROOD. 

Ravens,  like  other  birds  of  their  family,  raise  but 
one  brood  of  young  in  a  year.  However,  if.  by  some 
mishap,  their  nest  or  eggs  are  destroyed  they  will  nest 
again. 

LIKE    ONE    NESTING    PLACE. 

The  Raven,  like  the  piratical  Bald  Eagle,  will  return 
year  after  year  to  the  same  nesting  place. 

There  is  near  Zerby  station,  in  Centre  county,  a  sec- 
tion, by  the  way,  which  is  noted  for  the  number  and 
high  degree  of  excellence  of  the  brainy  Governors  it 
has  produced,  a  high  point  on  one  of  the  mountain 
ranges,  which  is  made  up  of  immense  bowlders  which 
weigh  tons  and  tons.  The  place  is  practically  inacces- 
sible. Here,  for  fifteen  years  past,  a  pair  of  croaking 
Ravens  have  annually  raised  their  families. 

t/p:ft  in  sorro^v  and  DisnusT. 
At  Glen  Union,  Clinton  county,  a  pair  of  very  foxy 
Ravens,  for  three  or  four  consecutive  years  to  my 
knowledge,  every  spring  reared  a  nestful  of  young  on 
a  high  rocky  bluff  along  the  Susquehanna  river. 
About  two  years  ago,  a  venturesome  boy,  after  con- 
siderable hard  work,  climbed  to  the  nest  and  got  a 


278 
pair  of  the  young  birds,  which  were  about  readv  to 

fly.  ^ 

When  the  old  Ravens  saw  their  home  invaded  th<'.v 
flew  off  and  gave  vent  to  their  sorrow  by  harsh  cries. 
After  the  daring  boy  with  his  feathered  captives 
reached  the  river  bank,  the  old  birds  came 
back  to  the  nesting  site  in  the  lichen  covered  rocks, 
where  doubtless  for  many  generations  their  ancestors 
had  bred,  and  both  the  birds  with  evidences  of  sorrow, 
anger  and  disgust  such  as  only  childless  Ravens  can 
show,  tore  up  the  nest,  dropping  sticks,  etc.,  over  the 
hanging  cliff,  and  after  making  a  few  circles  over  the 
place  and  saying  a  whole  lot  of  bad  things  in  Raven 
dialect,  they  retired  and  no  Ravens  have  since  been 
seen  about  the  ill-fated  place. 

"QUOTH  THE  RAVEX,  NEVERMORE." 

This  pair  of  ebony-rolorod  croakers  were  evidently 
not  of  the  common  fvorv-dny  plebeian  type  of  Ravens 
which  one  is  accustomed  to  see  in  the  mountain  fast- 
nesses. They  were,  no  doubt,  direct  descendants  from 
the  wise  ])luitouian  bird  which  years  ago  perched  on 
the  bust  of  Pallas  over  the  docanvay  of  the  atelier  of 
Edgar  Allen  Poe,  and  prompted  that  talented  and 
gifted  wiiter  of  weird  poetry  ;)nd  tales  to  i)eii  tlic 
famous  stanzas  on  "The  Raven."  That  these  birds 
were  lineal  descendants  of  this  Raven  there  can  be  little 
room  for  doubt,  as  a  venerable  woodsman  who  was 
thoroughly  familiar  with  Raven  dialect  attested  with 
great  assurance  to  the  fact  that  he  had  distinctly  heard 
these  sorrowing  and  angry  birds  as  they  tossed  the 
dead  sticks,  faded  mosses,  etc.,  over  the  dizzy  height 
repeat  the  word  that  Poe,  fifty  years  ago,  had  placed 
in  the  mouth  of  their  famous  ancestor — "Nevermore." 


279 


ITS    DISTRIBUTION    IN    PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  Raven  occurs  regularly  in  the  following  coun- 
ties where  it  breeds  in  suitable  localities. 

Bradford,  Forest, 

Blair,  Franklin, 

Columbia,  Lycoming, 

Cambria,  Lackawanna. 

Clinton,  Luzerne, 

Cameron.  Pike, 

Clearfield,  Potter, 

Centre,  Sullivan, 

Elk,  '             Tioga. 
Wayne. 

This  bird  probably  may  also  breed  in  some  other 
counties,  where  it  undoubtedly  is  found  as  a  casual 
visitor  or  straggler. 


280 


COMMON  CROW. 

Corvus  americanus. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill,  legs  and  feet  black;  iris  brown;  plumage  glossy  black 
with  violet  reflections,  brightest  on  wing-coverts,  tail  and  back; 
top  of  head  frequently  without  metallic  tint — young  usually 
dull  black.  The  male  is  larger  than  the  female,  and  measures 
about  nineteen  inches  in  length  and  thirtj'-eight  inches  in  ex- 
tent. 

Habitat. — North  America  from  the  Fur  countries  to  Mexico. 

The  Crow  readily  recognized  by  its  large  size  and 
glossy  black  plumage  is  a  common  resident  of  Pennsyl- 
vania during  all  months  of  the  year. 

This  species  ranges  throughout  different  portions 
of  North  America,  but  is  found  chiefly  in  the  eastern 
United  States.  In  this  locality  the  Crow  commences 
nest-building  in  the  latter  part  of  April;  both  sexes 
engage  in  this  work  which  is  completed  in  from  three 
to  five  days. 

THE  NEST  AND  EGGS. 

The  nest,  a  very  bulky  structure,  measuring  about 
twenty  inches  in  diameter  and  ten  inches  in  depth,  is 
made  up  of  sticks,  twigs,  bark,  leaves,  etc.  It  is  built 
usually^  in  an  oak,  chestnut  or  other  tree  in  an  unfre- 
quented woods;  nests  are  sometimes  placed  in  low 
trees  or  bushes  in  cedar  thickets.  The  eggs  vary 
greatly  in  size  and  color;  four  to  six  in  number;  length 
about  ].()5  by  1.19  inches  in  widtli ;  light-greenish, 
spotted  brown  and  black  with  purplish  tints.  The 
note  of  this  v/ell-known  bird  is  a  loud  harsh  caw.  Dur- 
ing the  early  spring,  fall-  and  winter  months  tliis  spec- 
io.s  is  gregarious;  flocks  numbering  fioin  fifty  to  sev- 
eral hniub'ed  individuals  are  frequently  observed  scat- 


m 

O 

> 


o 
J} 
o 


281 

tered  over  the  fields,  meadow.s.  aloug  the  highways,  or 
in  the  woods  searching  for  food.  At  night  these  birds 
resort  in  great  numbers  to  favorite  roosting  places, 
such  as  pine  forests,  cedar  thickets,  etc. 

WILL  EAT  EGG'S  AND  POULTRY. 

In  the  late  spring  and  summer,  Crows  are  particu- 
larly destructive  to  young  poultry,  and  the  eggs  and 
young  of  small  w^ild  birds;  frequently  nests  of  domes- 
ticated fowls,  especially  guineas  and  turkeys  that  often 
wander  to  a  considerable  distance  from  the  farm  house 
to  lay,  are  also  pillaged.  These  birds,  as  every  farmer 
is  w^ell  aw^are,  commit  more  or  less  mischief  in  corn 
fields. 

Although  the  Crow  will  rob  the  nest  of  any  small 
bird  which  he  can  get  at,  the  nests  of  the  Robin,  Wood 
Thrush,  Catbird,  Meadow  Lark  and  Dove  are  the  ones 
I  have  usually  seen  disturbed.  The  injury  w^hich  the 
Grow  occasions  by  his  egg-sucking,  bird-devouring 
habits  is,  it  is  affirmed  by  eminent  authorities,  more 
than  compensated  by  the  large  numbers  of  noxious 
insects  and  mammals  which  he  devours. 

There  is  no  doubt,  however,  that  when  a  pair  of 
Crows,  in  the  breeding  season,  get  in  the  habit  of  vis- 
iting the  farm  yard  to  catch  young  chickens  and  steal 
eggs,  they  will  do  considerable  damage.  Such  visitors, 
like  bad  individuals  of  the  human  race,  which  ai"e 
found  in  nearly  every  community,  should  be  checked 
in  their  evil  careers.  So  far  as  the  Crows  are  con- 
cerned, this  can  be  best  accomplished  by  the  use  of 
either  a  good  shot  gun  or  an  egg  dosed  with  a  little 
strychnine.  Their  nest,  which  is  u.snally  to  be  found 
in  a  woods  near  the  place  where  the  thieving  practices 
are  carried  on,  should  also  be  destroyed,  particularly 
if  it  contains  young. 


282 


FI«H  CKOW. 

Corvus  ossifragus. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Smaller  than  the  Common  Crow.  Glossy  black  with  green 
and  violet  reflections;  the  gloss  of  head,  neck  and  belly  green; 
bill  and  feet  black;  iris  brown.  Length  fourteen  to  sixteen 
inches;   length   of  extended   wings  about   thirty-two  inches. 

ECabitat. — Atlantic  coast,  from  Long  Island  to  Florida.  Along 
Delaware  and  Susquehanna  rivers. 

The  Fish  Crow  is  a  common  and  abundant  resident 
during  all  seasons  about  the  maritime  districts  of  most, 
or,  perhaps,  all  the  southern  states.  According  to 
Audubon  this  species  migrates  northward  in  April  and 
ascends  the  Delaware  river  in  Pennsylvania,  to  nearly 
its  source,  but  on  the  approach  of  cold  weather  returns 
to  its  southern  winter  quarters.  This  bird  is  also 
found  in  summer  along  the  Susquehanna  river  from 
Lancaster  county  southward. 

BREEDS  NEAR  PHILADELPHIA. 

Mr.  Thos,  Gentry,  writing  in  1877,  says  he  has  ob- 
served the  Fish  Cro«w  nesting  along  the  water  courses 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia.  The  nest  and 
eggs  of  this  bird,  although  smaller,  cannot  with  ab- 
solute certainty  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
Common  Crow.  Small-sized  eggs  of  Crows  like  skins 
of  under-sized  Crows  can  be  labelled  "Fish  Crow"  and 
few  people  will  recognize  the  difference.  The  Fish 
Crow,  like  the  preceding  species,  builds  in  trees. 

ITS  VOICE. 

The  voice  of  the  Fish  Crow,  as  Wilson  says,  is  very 
different  from  that  of  the  Common  Crow,  being  more 


283 

hoarse  and  guttural,  uttered  as  if  something  had 
lodged  in  the  throat.  Audubon  describes  the  common 
note  of  this  bird  with  the  syllables  ha,  ha,  hae,  fre- 
quently repeated. 

WILL  TAKE    DUCKLINGS. 

The  Fish  Crow  will  sometimes  pick  up  young  ducks 
of  both  wild  and  domesticated  kinds,  and  they  also 
pillage  the  nests  of  Mudhens  and  other  aquatic  birds. 
They  visit  shallow  waters  and  feed  on  small-sized  fish 
which  they  capture.  They  eat  mussels  and  sometimes 
when  endeavoring  to  extract  the  flesh  o-f  the  bivalve 
from  its  hard  enclosure,  the  bird  is  caught  by  the  bill 
and  held  a  helpless  prisoner. 

WHAT  AUDUBON  SAYS  OF  ITS  FOOD  HABITS. 

In  referring  to  the  food  of  this  bird  Aubudon  writes 
substantially  as  follows: 

While  searching-  for  food,  these  birds  hover  at  a  moderate 
height  over  the  water;  but  when  they  rise  in  the  air,  to  amuse 
themselves,  they  often  reach  a  great  elevation.  Like  the  Com- 
mon Crow,  the  Fish  Crow  robs  other  birds  of  their  eggs  and 
young.  They  also  prey  upon  the  Fiddler-crab,  which  they 
pursue  and  dig  out  of  the  muddy  burrows  into  which  they  re- 
tire at  the  approach  of  danger.  Small  fry  are  easily  secured 
with  their  claws  as  they  fly  close  over  the  water's  surface, 
from  which  they  also  pick  up,  like  Gulls,  any  sort  of  garbage 
suited  to  their  appetite;  sometimes  they  will  pursue  and  at- 
tack the  smaller  Terns  and  Gulls  to  force  them  to  disgorge 
the  small  fish  that  they  have  captured.  Fish  Crows  are  able 
to  capture  live  fish  with  considerable  dexterity,  but  cannot 
feed  on  the  wing.  During  the  winter  and  spring  the  Fish 
Crows  are  very  fond  of  feeding  on  many  kinds  of  berries.  As 
spring  advances,  and  the  early  fruits  ripen.  Fish  Crows  become 
fond  of  the  mulberry,  and  select  the  choicest  of  the  ripe  figs, 
more  especially  when  they  are  feeding  their  young.  A  dozen 
are  often  seen  at  a  time,  searching  for  the  tree  which  has  the 
best  figs,  and  so  troublesome  do  they  become  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  Charleston,  that  it  is  found  necessary  to  sta- 
tion a  man  near  a  fig  tree  with  a  gun.  They  also  eat  pears, 
as  well  as  various  kinds  of  huckleberries. 


284 


BLUE  JAY. 

Cyanoeitta  cristata. 

DESCRIPTION 

Head  crested;  bill  rather  slender;  length  about  twelve  inches; 
extent  about  seventeen;  bill  and  legs  black;  eyes  brown;  crest 
and  upper  back  a  light  purplish-blue;  wings  and  tail  bright 
blue;  lower  parts  whitish  and  grayish  white,  crossed  on  lower 
throat  by  a  black  collar  which  unites  with  black  feathers  on 
sides  of  head  and  crest;  narrow  frontal  line  and  lores  back. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  and  froni  the 
Pur  countries  south  to  Florida  and  eastern  Texas.  Resident 
in  Pennsylvania. 

The  Blue  Jay  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  during  all 
seasons  of  the  year,  but  in  the  autumn  and  summer 
months  this  species  is  more  plentiful  than  at  other  per- 
iods. This  beautiful  bird  is  an  inhabitant  chiefly  of 
the  forests.  During  the  breeding  season  Jays  usually 
associate  in  pairs,  but  in  the  late  summer  and  autumn 
it  is  not  unusual  to  find  them  in  small  flocks. 

THE   NEST   AND   EGGS. 

Both  sexes  engage  in  nest-building,  which,  in  this 
latitude,  is  begun  about  the  20th  of  April.  A  nest 
which  I  saw  the  birds  building  was  completed  in  about 
five  days.  The  nest,  a  strong  bulky  structure,  com- 
posed chiefly  of  t^\ags  and  fine  roots,  is  placed  com- 
monly in  a  tree  in  the  woods ;  sometimes,  though  rarel v 
in  this  locality,  nests  are  built  in  low  bushes.  The 
eggs,  four  to  six  in  number,  mostly  five,  are  greenish 
or  brownish  gray,  spotted  with  brown.  Length  about 
L15  inches,  width  .84  of  an  inch.  In  Florida  the  Blue 
Jay  nests  some  five  or  s;ix  weeks  earliei*  than  in  this 
latitude;  at  least  I  suppose  this  to  be  the  case,  as  T  have 


BLUE      JAY. 


Head  cresU 
extent  about 
and   upper 
blue;  lower  , 
throat  by  a, 
sides  of  hea^ 

H^abitat.—i 
Fur  country 
in   Pennsyh 

The  Bli 
seasons 
months  t\ 
iods,     Tl 
the  fores 
associate 
it  is  not] 


Both.] 

latitud^ 
which 


•v 


t«  kare 

7»^»*  Ifce  vood 


J^T^rtnieiit 


the 
^ich 


:   -    .'  the 
«f  Oolnm 
I 

•r  m  tiilk 
I" 


wjTtepods. 


\ 


rp 


ABLE   FOD. 

iowiug  v^etable  substancea 

Jays: 

^^^■11,    wlieat   oais,  biukwheat, 

'^^Hiurs,  liazleuts,  sumac  (Rhus), 

I^^Vsorrel  (Ruiex). 

^Tdus. — Apple  stravvbei'des,  cur- 

blackbei-ries  Kubus),  mulberries 

Vaccinium),  uckleberries  (Gay- 

IKs  (Prnuus  srotina),  choke-clier- 
la),  wild  grajM  (Vitis  cordifolia). 
laneliier  f-anaeiisis),  elderberries 
Pb),  sour-g:um  trries  (Nyssa  aqua- 
taeiius),  t'liikeerries  (Aronia  ar- 
s  (Pliytolac'CM  ecandra),  oak  galls. 


287 

ITS   VEGETABLE   FOOD. 

Mr.  Beal  found  the  following  vegetable  substances 
in  the  stomachs  of  Blue  Jays: 

Grain  and  mast.— Coin,  \\iieal,  oats,  buckwheat, 
acorns,  chestnuts,  beechnuts,  hazlenuts,  sumac  (Rhus), 
knotweed  (Polygonum),  sorrel  (Rumex). 

Fruit  and  miscellaneous.— Apples,  strawberries,  cur- 
rants (Ribes  rubrum),  blackberries  (Rubus),  mulberries 
(Morns),  blueberries  (Vaccinium),  huckleberries  (Gay- 
lussacia),  wild  cbeiiies  (Pruuus  serotina),  choke-cher- 
ries (Prunus  virginiana),  wild  grapes  (Vitis  cordifolia). 
service  berries  (Amelanchier  canadensis),  elderberries 
(Sambucus  canadensis),  sour-gum  berries  (Nyssa  aqua- 
tioa),  hawthorn  (Crataegus),  chikeberries  (Aronia  ar- 
butifolia),p()ke  berries  (Phytolacca  decandra),  oak  galls, 
mushrooms,  tubers. 


288 


THE  SHRIKES. 

These  birds,  included  in  the  family  Laniidae,  on  account  of 
their  curious  habits  are  so  often  mistaken  for  the  smaller 
species  of  hawks.  This  error  frequently  leads  farmers  and 
sportsmen  as  well  as  poultry  raisers  to  slay  these  beneficial 
birds  when  they  come  about  their  premises  to  hunt  mice,  in- 
sects, etc.  As  previously  stated,  although  Shrikes  have  been 
known  to  attack  and  kill  the  young  of  domesticated  fowls,  the 
damage  they  do  in  this  line  is  very  trivial.  They  kill  various 
kinds  of  wild  birds,  but  the  species  which  they  destroy  are 
chiefly  those  of  the   Sparrow  family. 

Concerning  these  birds  Dr.  Elliott  Coues,  one  of  the  most 
able  ornithological  authorities  in  America  says:  "Shrikes  are 
bold  and  spirited  birds,  quarrelsome  among  themselves,  and 
tyrannical  toward  weaker  species;  in  fact,  their  nature  seemed 
as  rapacious  as  that  of  the  true  birds  of  prey.  They  are  carni- 
vorous, feeding  on  insects  and  such  small  birds  and  quad- 
rupeds as  they  can  capture  and  overpower;  many  instances 
have  been  noted  of  their  dashing  attacks  upon  cage-birds,  and 
their  reckless  pursuit  of  other  sipecies  under  circumstances  that 
cost  them  their  own  lives.  But  the  most  'remarkable  fact  in 
the  natural  history  of  the  Shrikes  is  their  singular  and  inex- 
plicable habit  of  impaling  their  prey  on  thorns  or  sharp  twigs, 
and  leaving  it  sticking  there.  This  has  occasioned  many  in- 
genious surmises,  none  of  which,  however,  are  satisfactory." 


GREAT    NORTHERN     SHRIKE 


289 


GREAT  NOKTHEKN  SHRIKE. 
Lanius  borealis. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  ten  and  one-half  inches;  extent  about  four- 
teen; tail  about  four  and  three-fourths;  above  pale  bluish-gray, 
whitening  on  upper  tail-coverts  and  scapulars;  and  some  speci- 
mens have  upper  parts  faintly  tinged  with  pale  rusty;  below 
whitish  (sometimes  tinged  with  pale  brown),  breast  and  sides 
"waved"  with  dusky  or  grayish  lines;  lores  and  a  broad  streak 
back  of  eye  black;  wings  and  tail  blackish;  the  primaries  (large 
wing  quills)  are  white  from  base  to  about  half  their  length; 
nearly  all  tail  feathers  have  white  tips  and  outer  webs  of  lat- 
eral ones  are  w'hite. 

Habitat. — Northern  North  America,  south  in  the  winter  to  the 
middle  portions  of  United  States  (Washington,  D.  C,  Kentucky, 
Kansas,  Colorado.   .Arizona,  etc.). 

This  specios  althoiigh  recorded  bv  Dr.  ^^^  P.  Turn- 
bull,  as  a  summer  resident  "ou  the  inountaiu  ridges  of 
the  .VUeghenies,"  do<'S  not,  I  ain  (juite  positive,  ever 
breed  within  our  limits.  The  Slirike  or  r5ntcher-biid 
whioli  rears  its  family  in  F'ennsylvania,  and  is  common, 
particularly  in  the  northwestern  section  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, is  the  Loggerhead  wliich  in  immy  instances 
is  misiaken  for  its  lai'^ier  and  more  powerful  I'elative, 
which  in  the  summer  season  retires  usually  beyond  the 
northern  United  States  to  rear  its  young. 

The  Northein  Shrike  is  more  frequently  met  with  in 
the  upper  than  the  lower  half  of  Pennsylvania  where 
i(  is  found  as  a  winter  sojourner  from  Xovember  to 
April.  It  frequents  briery  thickets,  thorn  hedj^es.  and 
gra.ssy  fields  near  trees  and  bushes.  P.irds  of  this 
species  sometimes  visit  towns  and  ]>rey  on  English 
Sparrows.  Shrikes  feed  chiefly  O'U  grasshoppers  and 
beetles,  and  when  these  are  not  easily  obt;iin(Ml  they 

19-n 


290 

subsist  on  mice,  moles  and  small  birds.  'Hie  Northern 
Shrike,  assassin  like,  will  conceal  himself  in  bushes  and 
imitate  the  cries  of  other  birds  in  distress,  and  when 
thay  come  si-flicicutly  near  his  ambush  he  will,  to  their 
great  oomsternation,  lly  into  their  midst  and  seize  one 
of  their  numiber.  He  has  been  known  to  capture 
Robin,  Snow-birds  (Juncos)  and  other  kinds  of  Spar- 
rows in  this  wav. 


291 


LOGGEHHEAD  SHRIKE. 
Lanius  ludovicianus. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length,  about  eight  and  one-half  inches;  extent,  eleven  and 
one-half;  tail,  four;  above  slate-colored;  scapulars,  rump,  and 
upper  tail  coverts  lighter.  Below  white;  pale  grayish  on  sides; 
Some  specimens  have  lower  parts  partly  waved  with  dusky  1  nas, 
but  others,  especially  full-plumaged  adults,  lack  these  Knes; 
feathers  about  nostrils,  lores,  broad  streak  back  of  eye,  and  below 
the  eye  also,  likewise  bill  and  legs  (old  birds),  are  black.  The 
wings  and  tail  are  black;  tips  of  secondaries  (second  size  quills 
of  wings)  and  basal  half  of  primaries  (large  wing  quillsj 
white.  Tail  feathers  as  in  the  Northern  Shrike  are  marked 
with  white. 

Habitat, — More  southern  portions  of  Eastern  United  States; 
north  regularly  to  Southern  Illinois,  Central  Ohio,  Northwest- 
ern Pennsylvania,  etc.  In  Eastern  and  Central  Pennsylvania, 
this  species  and  also  the  variety  called  White-rumped  is  seldom 
met  with. 

The  Loggerhead  Shrike  is  a  commou  summer  bird 
in  Erie  and  Crawford  counties.  It  is  said  to  breed  also 
iu  Lawrence,  Mercer  and  so-me  other  of  the  counties  in 
Western  Pennsylvania.  The  following  remarks  con 
cerning  this  Butcher-bird,  as  it  it  best  known  to  fann- 
ers and  poultrers  in  the  Erie  region,  are  taken  from 
my  note  book. 

"Erie  City,  May  20,  1889.  To-day  Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sennett  and  I 
drove  out  a'bout  three  miles  east  of  the  city;  and  on  the  road 
shot  three  adult  Shrikes  (two  males  and  female),  and  secured 
their  nests  and  young. 

THE  NEST,  EGGS  AND  YOUNG. 

Both  nests  were  built  in  thorn  trees.  One  nest  in  a  field 
near  the  edge  of  a  woods  contained  four  young,  two  or  three 
days  old,  and  two  eggs.  The  other  nest  was  situated  about 
four  and  a  half  feet  fro'm  the  ground,  directly  over  a  cow- 
path  in  a  meadow;  it  had  evidently  been   disturbed  as  it  was 


202 

inswurely  placod,  being  partly  turntd  over.  This  nest,  con- 
taining two  half-fledged  males,  was  composed  almost  entirely 
of  plant-fiber  and  chicken  feathers;  a  few  small  twigs  only 
being  on  the  outside.  It  measures  inside  of  cavity  four  and 
one-half  inches  wide  and  two  and  a  half  inches  in  depth. 

"Erie,  May  21,  1889.  To-day  Mr.  Sennett  and  I  found  three 
nests  of  Shrikes  east  of  this  city.  They  all  were  built  in  thorn 
or  wild  crab  apiple  trees  along  the  roadside  and  were  from 
ten  to  twelve  feet  above  the  ground.  One  nest  contained  five 
fresh  eggs;  parent  bird  sitting  on  nest.  When  I  was  securing 
this  nest  and  eggs  the  old  birds  flew  near  me  uttering  sharp, 
rasping  cries.  The  eggs  four,  five  or  six  in  number  are  white 
spotted  with  light  brown,  purplish  or  oliv";  they  measure 
about  .97  long  by  .72  of  an  inch  wide. 

THEY   SQUEAK    LIKE    MICE. 

"The  notes  of  young  Shrikes  are  not  unlike  the  squtak  of  a 
mouse.  Indeed,  my  friend,  Mr.  Sennett,  yesterday,  when  I  was 
killing  the  young  we  had  captured,  stepped  on  a  strap,  and 
hearing  the  squeaky  voices  of  the  birds  in  my  hand  thought 
at  first  that  he  had  trod  on  a  mouse.  When  taking  the  nest.s 
which  contained  young  the  old  Shrikes  were  quite  bold,  and 
when  the  squeaky  cries  of  their  children  were  heard  they  flew 
directly  at  my  head,  but  on  finding  it  impossible  to  drive  me 
away  by  these  attacks  they  alighted  close  by,  and  remained 
silent  witnesses  to  the  despoliation  of  their  treasures,  which 
were  soon  secured  by  me  for  the  State  Museum,  and  then 
both   the   parent   birds  were   shot." 

WHERE  THEY  WATCH  FOR  PREY. 

When  feeding-  these  birds  repair  to  fence-rows  or 
hedges,  bushes  in  fields  and  alung  the  margins  of 
wo'ods  and  thickets;  they  also  frequent  grass  fields 
and  meadows  and  perch  on  fences,  dead  branches  of 
trees  and  bushes,  or  on  tall  weeds.  From  these  com- 
manding and  elevated  watching  places  they  readily 
di:-?cC'Ver  grassho}>peis,  large  ground  inhabiting  bee- 
tles and  small  mammals  which  form  the  chief  part  of 
(heir  menu.  Shrikes,  like  TJlackbiids  and  Orows  often 
visit  plowed  grounds  jii  (juest  of  inseds,  mice,  etc, 


293 


THE   WHITE-RUMPED   SHRIKE. 

Tlic  lacc  kiiowii  as  the  White- nun j)efl  Shrike, 
{Lanius  ludovicianus  excvbitorides),  is  very  similar  to 
tlie  LojJigerhead,  from  which  it  dirt'ers  chiefly  in  ])eiii<>; 
paler  above,  more  like  the  Northern  Shrike,  and  with 
more  whitisli  on  rnmp  and  n])j)er  tail  cO'verts;  and.it 
is  stated  that  the  winus.  tail  and  tarsus  (ankle)  aver- 
age a  little  loncei*,  and  tlie  bill  is  a  trifle  smaller  than 


294 


BLACKBIRDS. 

Crow  Blackbirds  belong  to  the  family  Icteridae  which  in- 
cludes also  the  Orioles,  Bob-o-link,  or  Reed  bird,  Cow  Bunting, 
Rusty  Crackle,  Red-winged  and  Yellow-headed  Blackbirds 
and  Meadow  Lark.  In  Pennsylvania  we  have  only  nine  species 
and  one  geographical  race  of  this  family,  which  is  a  sort  of  con- 
necting link  between  the  Crows  and  the  Sparrows.  The  Cow 
Bunting  or  Cow  Blackbird  is  the  only  species  in  the  State 
which  builds  no  nest  or  makes  no  effort  to  look  after  its  young. 
It  is  a  veritable  feathered  parasite,  with  no  musical  ability. 
Cow  Blackbirds  never  male;  they  are  polygamous,  and  are  at 
all  seasons  of  the  year  seen  in  flocks.  Like  the  Cuckoos  of 
the  Old  World  the  Cow  Blackbird  drops  her  eggs  in  the  nestg 
of  other  birds,  such  as  Orioles,  Warblers,  Scarlet  Tanager, 
Song  Sparrow,   Chippy,   Vireos,  etc. 


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295 


COMMON  GROW  BLACKBIRD. 
Quiscalus  qniscnla. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  stout  and  about  as  long  as  head;  bill  and  feet  black;  iris 
yellow.  In  life  may  be  recognized  by  the  V-shaped  tail,  so 
conspicuous  when  flying.  Hteadl  and  neck  all  well  defined, 
steel-blue,  the  rest  of  the  body  with  varied  reflections  of 
bronze,  golden,  green,  copper  and  purple,  the  latter  most  con- 
spicuous, especially  on   tail,   the  tail  coverts  and  wings. 

^ewiaie.— Similar,  but  smaller  and  duller,  with  more  green  on 
the  head. 

Young.— Yery  similar  to  female.  The  eyes  of  young  birds  are 
brown. 

Male. — Measures  about  thirteen  inches  long  and  eighteen 
inches  in  extent. 

.Hafeiiae.— Atlantic  States,  from  Florida  to  Long  Island. 
Common   summer   resident   in   Pennsylvania. 

It  can  safely  be  said  that  of  tlie  numerous  represen- 
tatives of  tlie  avian  tribe  abounding  tlirougliout  tliis 
great  Commonwealtli,  no  species  is  more  abundant  or 
familiarly  known  than  is  the  subject  of  this  article, 
Early  in  the  month  of  March  this  species  arrives  in 
Pennsylvania  in  large-sized  tlocks  from  their  winter- 
ing resorts,  viz:  Virginia,  the  Carolinas,  Georgia  and 
other  of  the  southern  states. 

During  mild  winters,  however,  I  have  frequently  ob- 
served them,  in  limited  numbers,  in  Chester  and  Dela- 
ware counties;  also  in  the  county  of  New  Castle,  Dela- 
w^are;  correctly  speaking,  however,  we  cannot  properly 
regard  these  birds  as  winter  residents  of  the  Keystone 
State. 

LEAD   A    NOMADIC    LIFE. 

For  a  period  of  about  one  month  following  their 
vernal  arrival  thev  roam  over  the  country,  frequenting 


290 

I  liiclly  iih'ikIow  s,  l(t'\v  liiiids  iiiid  phavcd  fields.  On  the 
;i|>|/i(»;i(li  <if  iiiiihl  llicv  ('(dlcct  ill  hir^c  iimiihcrs  in 
some  favorite  roosting  place,  sueli  as  cedar-  or  pine 
t  rees,  thick  woods  or  dense  thickets. 

THE    NKST    AND    EliGS. 

Nest-building-  is  usually  begun  about  the  middle  of 
April,  although  on  two  or  three  occasions  I  have  found 
nests,  with  full  complements  of  eggs,  as  early  as  the 
first  week  in  April. 

In  colonies  of  from  ten  to  twenty,  seldom  more,  they 
locate  themselves  for  the  purpose  of  niditi cation  and 
reproduction.  In  this  locality  (Chester  county)  their 
favorite  breeding  resorts  are  apple  orchards,  the  fruit 
and  other  trees  commonly  about  the  habitations  of 
man.  The  nest  is  bulky  and  rudely  constructed  exter- 
nally of  rootlets,  small  twigs,  dry  plants,  bits  of  corn- 
blades,  etc.,  somewhat  loosely  but  quite  firmly  bound 
together.  Mud  or  mudded  materials  frequently  enter 
into  the  construction  of  the  nest,  but  this  is  not  always 
tlie  case;  the  interior  is  lined  usually  with  fine  grasses; 
occasionally  I  have  seen  leaves  and  feathers  constitut- 
ing the  internal  lamina.  The  construction  of  the  nest 
occupies  about  one  week;  both  sexes  engage  in  its  erec- 
tion. It  is  built  at  the  junction  of  two  or  more  large- 
si/.ed  linihs.  or  ;iiiion,<;  the  sprouts  and  matted  twigs. 
The  nests  vary  somewhat  in  size,  but  the  one  now  be- 
fore me — about  the  average — gives  the  following  di- 
mensions: Height  (3^  inches;  diameter;  7  7-S  inches; 
depth  of  cavity,  3  inches.  Gentry  observes  that  the 
female  begins  to  deposit  her  eggs,  one  ovum  per  day, 
the  day  following  the  completion  of  the  nest.  Such 
may  be  the  case,  but  my  observation  has  been  that 
oviposition  does  not  often  take  place  until   three  or 


297 

even  five  days  subsequent  to  the  completion  cf  tlie  nest. 
The  complement  of  eggs  is  commonly  spoken  of  as  six; 
generally,  however,  I  have  found  live,  and  regard  this 
number  as  the  full  quota.  The  eggs  are  light  greenish 
(sometimes  pale  rustA-  brown),  spotted,  bloitched  and 
lined  with  black  and  dark-brown;  they  measure  about 
14  inches  long  and  about  .90  of  an  inch  wide.  The 
period  of  incubation  is  from  fourteen  to  fifteen  days. 
The  parent  birds  evince  marked  solicitude  foi*  their 
nest  and  its  contents. 

SELECT  DIFFERENT  NESTING  SITES. 

It  is  evident  from  the  writings  of  various  authorities 
that  the  nesting  sites  of  tbis  species  vary  considerably. 
By  Nuttall  and  others  we  are  informed  that  they  some- 
times build  in  bushes.  From  the  works  of  Aubudon  it 
is  learned  that  in  the  south  they  build  chiefly  in  hol- 
low trees.  T  have  found  these  birds  building  in  com- 
mon house  ivy  (Hedera  helix)  but  never  in  bushes,  and 
only  on  two  occasions  have  T  discovered  their  nests  in 
hollow  trees;  both  of  these  nests  were  built  in  apple 
trees.  One  was  constructed  in  a  limb  about  seven 
feet  from  the  ground,  the  other  was  placed  about 
twenty  feet  from  the  earth;  neither  of  these  differed 
materially  in  their  make  up  from  the  average  nest. 

FOOD. 

To  the  agriculturist  this  is  a  subject  worthy  of  much 
consideration.  It  appears  to  be  the  prevailing  oitinion 
aiuong  many  fniiners — the  majority  in  fact — that 
Crow  blackbirds  are  in  many  Avays  detrimental,  and  in 
no  particular  are  they  beneficial.  Tliis  belief,  evi- 
dently handed  down  from  one  generation  to  another, 
is  taken  in  its  full  meaning,  widely  at  variance  with 
19*--1I 


298 

positive  fact.  Among  the  first  of  our  vernal  migrants 
come  the  Crow  Blackbirds  in  large  flocks  which  dis- 
perse themselves  over  the  country,  frequenting,  princi- 
pally, as  previously  stated,  meadow  lands  and  humid 
grounds  in  quest  chiefly  of  an  insect  diet,  that  is  only 
occasionally  diversified  by  a  grain  of  corn,  wheat  or 
oats,  and  such  seeds  as  may  be  found  in  seeking  the 
hidden  insect. 

THEY  HUNT  BEETLES  AND  GRUBS. 

In  the  wake  of  the  plowman  as  he  turns  the  crumb- 
ling earth,  the  argus  eyed  Blackbirds  follow  closely 
ever  on  the  alert  to  seize  the  wriggling  worm,  the 
agile  beetle,  and  the  numerous  larvae  thrown  out  as 
each  furrow  is  turned.  Certainly  at  this  season  our 
sable  acquaintances  are  engaged  only  in  that  which 
will  prove  of  utility  to  the  cultivator  when  his  crops 
are  j^Towing.  We  repeatedly  heard  of  how  the  Black- 
birds tear  up  and  devour  the  young  and  growing  corn. 
This,  unquestionably,  is  sometimes  the  case  but  I  am 
confident  that  the  destruction  thus  done  is  much  ex- 
aggerated. I  am  aware  that  on  more  than  one  occa- 
sion I  have  seen  the  tender  blades  of  corn  lying  on  the 
ground  where  there  were  actively  at  work  Crow  Black- 
birds, a  number  of  which  were  shot,  and  on  post  mor- 
tem dissection  their  stomachs  revealed  almost  entirely 
insects.  Some  ten  years  ago  I  was  visiting  a  friend 
who  had  thirty  odd  acres  of  corn  (maize)  planted. 
Quite  a  number  of  "blackies"  as  he  styled  them,  were 
plying  themselves  with  great  activity  about  the  grow- 
ing cereal.  We  shot  thirty-one  of  these  birds  feeding 
in  the  cornfield.  Of  this  number  nineteen  showed  only 
cut-worms  in  their    stomachs.      The   number  of   cut- 


299 

worms  iu  each,  of  course,  varied,  but  as  many  as 
twenty-two  were  taken  from  one  stomach.  In  seven 
some  corn  was  found,  in  connection  with  a  very  large 
excess  of  insects,  to  wit:  Beetles,  earthworms  and  cut- 
worms.    The  remaining  five  showed  chiefly  beetles, 

THEY   EAT   SOME   FRUIT. 

Comment  is  frequently  made  with  regard  to  the  Pur- 
ple Grackles,  as  these  birds  are  sometimes  called,  pil- 
laging the  cherry  trees.  To  some  extent  tliis  is  true, 
but  certainly  the  amount  of  fruit  taken  is  small,  far 
less  than  that  injured  by  the  Cedar  or  Cherry  Bird. 

Strawberries,  blackberries  and  other  fruits  are  fed 
upon,  but  to  a  very  limited  extent,  by  this  species. 
The  diet  of  the  young  birds,  while  under  parental  care, 
is  almost  exclu.sively  insectivoro'us,  consisting  mainly 
of  caterpillars  and  grubs. 

It  is  a  well  established  fact  that  they  are  given  to 
stealing  the  eggs  of  other  birds,  especially  the  common 
Robin;  and  sometimes  they  kill  and  devour  the  young 
of  other  birds. 

In  referring  to  this  species,  Wilson  very  aptly  re- 
marks: 

"As  some  consolation  to  the  industrious  cultivator,  I  can 
assure  him  that  were  I  placed  in  his  situation,  I  should  hesi- 
tate whether  to  consider  those  birds  most  as  friends  or  enemies, 
as  they  are  particularly  destructive  to  almost  all  the  noxious 
worms,  grubs  and  caterpillars  that  infest  his  fields,  which, 
were  they  allowed  to  multiply  unmolested,  would  soon  con- 
sume nine-tenths  of  all  productions  of  his  labor  and  desolate 
the  country  with   the  miseries  of  famine." 

Attention  is  called  to  several  series  of  stomach  ex- 
aminations, made  at  different  periods  during  the  past 
twelve  years,  and  fro-m  such  work  tlio  readoi*  can  draw 
his  own  conclusions. 


aoo 

March.  Twoiil v  i)ine  exauiiut'd.  Tlicy  sliowed  chii'tly 
insects  and  seeds;  in  live,  corn  was  present,  and  in  lour 
wheat  and  oats  were  found.  All  of  these  grains,  liow- 
ever,  weie  in  connection  with  an  excess  of  insect  foo«l. 

Api'il.  Thiitythree  examined.  They  revealed  cliielly 
insects,  with  but  a  small  amo'unt  of  vegetable  mattei-. 

May.  Plightj'-two  examined.  Almost  entirely  in- 
sects, cut-worms  being  especially  frequent. 

June.  Foriy-tliree  examined.  Showed  generally  in- 
sects, cut-worms  in  abundance;  fruits  and  berries  pre- 
sent, but  to  very  small  extent. 

July.  Thirty-eight  examined.  Showed  mainly  in- 
sects; berries  present  in  limited  amount. 

August.  Twenty-three  examined.  Showed  chiefly 
insects,  berries  and  corn. 

September.  Eighteen  examined.  Showed  insects, 
berries,  corn  and  seeds. 

October.  During  this  month  (1882),  the  writer  madi' 
repeated  visits  to-  roosting  resorts,  where  these  birds 
were  collected  in  great  numbers,  and  shot  three  hun- 
di'ed  and  seventy-eight,  which  were  examined.  Of  this 
number  the  following  is  the  result  of  examinations,  in 
detail  of  one  hundred  and  eleven  stomachs; 

Thirty,  corn  and  coleoptera  (beelles);  twenty-seven, 
corn  only;  fifteen,  orthoi»tera  (graisshoppers) ;  eleven, 
corn  and  seeds;  eleven,  corn  and  orthoptera;  seven,  col- 
(Mtptera;  thiee,  coleoptera  and  <)i-thoi»tera :  three,  wheat 
and  coleoptera;  two,  wli<»at  and  corn;  one,  wheat;  on<', 
dij>tera  (flies). 

The  i-enmining  two  hundred  and  sixty-seven  birds 
were  taken  from  the  lOth  to  the  ^^Ist  of  the  montli.  and 
theii'  food  was  found  to  consist  almost  entirelv  of  corn. 


301 

A   THOUSAND    STOMACHS   EXAMINED. 

Within  the  past  fifteen  years  the  writer  lias  made, 
during-  tlie  different  montlis  of  the  year,  examinations 
of  nearly  one  thousand  stomachs  of  Crow  Blackbirds, 
taken  in  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland  and  Floi- 
ida. 

In  brief,  it  can  be  stated  that  these  examinations 
showed  that  in  the  fall  when  insect  food  was  scarce 
corn  was  laigcly  eaten  by  these  birds,  but  during  jtre- 
vii>.is  jteriods  of  theii-  residence  in  Pennsylvania  differ- 
ent forms  of  insect-life  constitute  by  far  the  larger  por- 
tion of  their  diet. 

THEY  ARE  FOND  OF  LARVAE. 

Blackbirds  are  very  partial  to  grub  worms,  cut- 
worms and  other  larvae,  which  they  find  in  newly- 
plowed  gpc-und,  com  fields  and  pasture.  As  stated 
elesewlu  re  this  species  as  well  as  the  Bronzed  Grackle. 
a  subspecies  of  the  Crow  Blackbird  which  is  the  coni- 
mon  form  in  the  westei'n  part  of  Pennsylvania,  was 
found  to  feed  with  gi'eat  eagerness  on  the  destructive 
Army  ^yorm  whicli  was  so  numerous  and  very  gener- 
ally dispersed  tliroughout  this  State  in  ISOO,  when  this 
crawling  and  voracious  pest  destroyed  grain  and  other 
cro])s  to  the  amount  of  about  $300,000  (estimated). 

THEY  CWTCH   GRASSHOPPERS. 

Blackbirds  love  to  catch  and  eat  the  friskv  grass- 
hopj)ei's  which  often  do  so  much  damage  to  the  farm- 
er's crops;  and  they  also  devour  numerous  kinds  of 
ground  beetles.  They  will  eat  the  destructiv(<  i.luni 
curculio.  and  likewise  devour  its  larvae. 

WILL   EAT    U^HEAT,    OATS    AND   CORN. 

They  visit  the  oat  and  wheat  stubl)le  or  the  corn  field 


302 

and  feed  on  the  giaiu  tliey  fiud  scattered  over  the 
ground,  and  they  frequently  make  a  meal  on  the  cereal.^ 
when  in  the  milky  state,  or  when  it  is  cut  and  shocked. 

WIL/L,  ETAT  BIRDS  AND  EGGS. 

Crow  Blackbirds  destroy  the  eggs  and  young  of  a 
number  of  species  of  small  wild  birds  which  nest  in 
parks,  lawns  and  gardens.  Like  the  Crows,  they  will 
visit  the  meadows  and  grass  fields  and  steal  the  eggs 
or  nestlings  of  Meadow-larks,  Quail  and  other  ground- 
nesting  species.  They  sometimes  will  catch  young 
chickens  soon  after  they  are  hatched,  and  it  is  affirmed 
that  they  will  also  eat  the  eggs  of  domesticated  fowls. 
The  damage,  howeyer,  which  Blackbirds  do  in  the  poul- 
try yard  is  ver-y  insignificant. 

THBY  SOMETIMES  EAT  FISH. 

In  Florida,  the  Blackbird,  according  to  my  investi- 
gations, takes  most  kindly  to  a  fish  diet.  In  the  spring 
of  1885  I  collected  seventeen  Blackbirds  in  Florida, 
along  the  St.  John's  river.  These  seventeen  examples, 
obtained  at  various  periods  from  March  1  to  May  7, 
showed  generally  an  insect  food  preference — beetles, 
principally.  Six  of  the  number,  however,  revealed  un- 
mistakable evidences  of  having  taken  as  nourishment 
fishes,  as  will  be  seen  by  this  table: 


Locality. 


Food     Materials. 


1 

March    3.  1885, 

Volusia  county.    Fla. 

Five  small  fishes;  beetle  and  grub. 

2 

April    21,  1885, 

Orange  county.    Fla. 

Three  fishes;  beetles  and  mulberries 

3 

April    10.   l(>s.'.. 

Orange  county,   Fla. 

Remains    of    fishes;    beetles,   small 
seeds,   etc. 

4 

March  14,  1886, 

Volusia  county,    Fla. 

Remains  of  fishes,  beetle,  oats 
and   com. 

B 

April    29.  1885, 

Volusia  county,   Fla. 

Cray-fish,  minnow  and  different 
Inssects. 

8 

May,           1885, 

Volu«la  county,   Fla. 

Remains  of  fishes  and  green  col- 
ored  beetle.                                         ! 

303 

A  Florida  fisherman,  during  the  early  part  of  April, 
1885,  caught  a  number  of  ''perch"  which  spoiled  before 
a  market  could  be  found  for  them.  The  decaying  car- 
casses were  tossed  into  the  river,  to  float  away  or  to  be 
"gobbled  up"  by  the  voracious  "catties."  Several  of 
these  defunct  fishes  lodged  among  the  shell  rocks  lin- 
ing the  banks.  Probably  an  hour  after  the  castaways 
had  Iain  along  the  riverside,  three  Crow  Blackbirds 
were  seen— quoting  the  phraseology  of  a  "cracker"  who 
was  present  at  the  time — "to  jine  de  fish  and  feast 
'emselves  to  plum  fulness."  After  the  departure  of 
the  sable  visitants,  inspection  of  the  feeding  place 
revealed  that  the  birds  had  picked  out  the  eyes  of 
seven,  or  all  but  one,  of  the  fishes,  three  of  which  were 
considerably  torn  about  the  abdominal  regions.  The 
mutilated  condition  of  the  belly  muscles  is  mainly  at- 
tributed to  the  fact  that  the  fish  had  been  eviscerated 
before  having  been  thrown  away,  hence  these  incised 
parts  were  more  accessible  to  mandibular  action  than 
other  and  unbroken  parts  of  the  scaly  anatomy.  Cer> 
tainly  there  is  no  O'bvious  reason  why  the  abdominal 
and  neighboring  pectoral  portions  of  a  "perch"  should 
be  more  jjalatable  to  the  sprightly  "White-eyed  Jack- 
daw," as  the  native  Floridians  are  accustomed  to  term^ 
the  species. 

THE    BRONZED   BLACKBIRD. 

The  Bronzed  Grackle  (Q.  quiscula  aenus,  Ridgw.) 
is  the  common  Crow  Blackbird  found  in  Pennsylvania 
west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains.  Tn  eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania this  bird  is  rather  rare.  This  variety  differs 
from  the  typical  quiscula  chiefly  in  having  a  uniform 
brassy-colored  body,  and  wings  and  tail  purplish  or 
violet,  never  bluish. 


au4 


THE  HEUONS  AND  BITTERNS. 

The  family  Ardeidae  contains,  it  is  said,  about  seventy-five 
species  which  are  very  generally  dispersed  throughout  all  parts 
of  the  globe.  A  few  species  wander  to  cold  countries  but  the 
great  majority  of  these  waders  inhabit  the  lower  temperate  and 
tropical  countries.  In  different  localities  throughout  the  United 
States  about  eighteen  species  and  varieties  (local  or  geograph- 
ical races)  are  recorded  by  modern  writers:  and  of  these 
nine  species  have  been  taken  during  recent  years  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. Some  species  occur  with  us  as  regular  summer  resi- 
dents, while  others  are  observed  here  only  as  transitory  visi- 
tors in  the  spring  and  fall  migrations. 

These  birds  frequent  muddy  banks  of  rivers,  creeks,  lakes 
and  ponds;  they  are  also  found  about  swampy  meadows  and 
marshy  places,  particularly  if  the  latter  are  well  supplied  with 
pools  of  shallow  water,  protected  by  trees  or  bushes.  Birds  of 
this  family  often  remain  quiet  or  inactive  in  daytime,  but  as 
evening  approaches,  or  in  the  night,  they  go  out,  like  the  Owls, 
in  quest  of  food,  which  they  secure  by  rapid  and  dexterous 
thrusts  of  their  long,   spear-like  bills. 

Birds  of  this  family  subsist  chiefly  on  various  kinds  of  fishes, 
frogs,  snakes;  and  they  also  eat  other  kinds  of  animal  food, 
such  as  large  insects,  field  mice,  lizards,  toads,  cray-fish, 
leeches,  etc.,  and  some  of  the  birds  of  this  group  eat  rats  as 
well  as  the  young  of  birds  of  other  species  which  breed  about 
their  favorite  feeding  resorts.  The  Great  Blue  Heron,  the 
Night  Heron  and  the  Great  Bittern  all,  it  is  asserted,  have  been 
observed  to  catch  ducklings  of  both  wild  and  domesticated 
species.  Last  year  a  farmer  near  Harrisburg  shot  a  Great 
Blue  Heron  which  he  said  had  killed  several  young  chickens 
which  were  about  a  carp  pond  near  his  spring  house. 

The  damage  which  Herons  or  Bitterns  do  to  wild  birds  or 
domesticated  fowls  is  very  insignificant;  indeed,  it  is  very  sel- 
dom that  a  Heron  or  Bittern  attempts  to  capture  the  yoimg- 
of  any  feathered  animals. 


GREAT    BLUE    HERON, 


305 


GREAT  BLUE  HERON. 
Ai'doa  liei'odias. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult. — Bill  about  six  inches  long,  chiefly  yellow;  dusky  on 
culmen;  eyes  yellow;  legs  and  feet  blackish,  yellowish  about 
toes;  lores  greenish-yellow  or  bluish.  The  color  of  bill,  legs 
and  lores  vary  greatly  not  only  with  age  and  season  but  also 
with  individuals.  The  male,  larger  than  female,  is  about  four 
feet  long  and  about  six  feet  from  tip  to  tip.  Forehead  and 
central  portion  of  crown  white,  surrounded  on  sides  and  be- 
hind with  black;  long  occipital  feathers  black;  neck  chiefly 
brownish-gray;  feathers  on  middle  (in  front)  of  lower  two- 
thirds  of  neck,  with  a  showy  streak  of  black,  white  and  rusty, 
chin  and  upper  part  of  neck  in  front  white.  Tibiae  ("thighs") 
and  edge  of  wing  i-eddish  brown;  upper  parts  and  tail  light 
bluish  slate  color;  long  scapular  feathers  and  long  straggling 
feathers  on  lower  neck.  The  young  are  different  in  many  re- 
spects from  the  above,  but  can  always  be  known  by  their 
large  size  and  a  general  resemblance  to  the  adult. 

Habitat. —  North  America,  from  the  Artie  regions  southward 
to   the   West  Indies   and   Northern   South  America. 

Tills  bii-tl,  tlie  largest  of  our  H(Moiis,  is  a  summer 
resident  in  various  localities  in  this  State.  During  the 
last  ten  years,  however,  several  favorite  breeding  re- 
sorts in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  which  were  annually 
vis-ited  hv  this  aiid  otluM'  species,  have  been  broken  nji 
by  boys  and  men  who  destroyed  the  birds,  old  and 
young,  simply  because  their  feathers  would  bring  a 
few  dollar's,  and,  as  they  remai'ked,  "there's  nc  law  to 
.stop  it." 

I  have  no  doubt  that  the  time  will  soon  c:)in(^  when 
this  beautiful  Heron  will  be  known  in  Ihis  Common- 
wealth only  as  a  rare  straggling  visitant. 

THE   NKST   AND  E(^GS. 

The  uf'st  is  made  of    large   sticks   and    twigs,    and 
jdaced  oii  the  larger  limbs  of  trees  which  grow  usually 
20  TT 


306 

near  the  water.  The  eggs  vary  in  number  from  three 
to  five;  they  are  light  blue  in  color,  and  about  the  size 
of  those  of  our  common  domestic  fowl. 

DANGEROUS  WHEN  WOUNDED. 

This  bird,  and  the  same  is  true  of  other  Herons, 
when  wounded  and  unable  to  escape,  is  one  which  can- 
not be  handled  with  too  much  caution,  as  it  frequently, 
with  its  sharp  and  powerful  bill,  inflicts  severe,  dan- 
gerous, and  sometimes  even  fatal  wounds.  In  Florida 
I  met  a  hunter  who  had  an  eye  destroyed  by  one  of 
these  birds  which  he  had  winged  and  carelessly  at- 
tempted to  pick  up. 

ITS    FLESH    IS    QUITE    PALATABLE. 

By  some,  particularly  residents  of  certain  of  the 
southern  states,  the  flesh  of  the  Great  Blue  Heron  is 
considered  quite  a  delicious  morsel.  Some  few  win- 
ters ago,  when  camping  in  the  cypress  swamp®  of  Flor^ 
ida,  I,  more  from  necessity  than  choice,  eat  the  breast 
meat  of  this  bird  and  also  that  of  the  Water  Turkey 
(Anhinga  anhinga),  which  preys  exclusively  on  fish,  and 
although  I  did  not  especially  relish  the  dish,  I  must 
admit  that  to  a  hungry  man  it  was  in  no  way  disagi'ee- 
able. 

WHAT    NUTTALL   SAYS    OF    ITS    HABITS. 

The  following  interesting  observations  on  the  food- 
habits  are  given  by  Nuttall: 

"Fish  is  the  principal  food  of  the  Great  Blue  Heron,  and  for 
this  purpose,  like  an  experienced  angler,  he  often  waits  for 
that  condition  of  the  tide  which  best  suits  his  experience  and 
instinct.  At  such  times  they  are  seen  slowly  sailing  out  from 
their  inland  breeding  haunts,   during  the   most  silent   and  cool 


307 

period  of  the  summer's  day,  selecting  usually  such  shallow 
inlets  as  the  ebbing-  tide  leaves  bare  or  accessible  to  his 
watchful  and  patient  mode  of  prowling;  here,  wading  to  the 
knees,  he  stands  motionless  amidst  the  timorous  fry,  till  some 
victim  coming  within  the  compass  of  his  wily  range  is  as  in- 
stantly seized  by  the  powerful  bill  of  the  Heron  «  *  *  * 
If  large,  the  fish  is  beaten  to  death,  and  commonly  swallowed 
with  the  head  descending,  as  if  to  avoid  any  obstacle  arising 
from  the  reversion  of  the  fins  or  any  hard  external  processes. 
On  land  our  Heron  also  has  his  fare,  as  he  is  no  less  a  suc- 
cessful angler  than  a  mouser,  and  renders  an  important  ser- 
vice to  the  farmer  in  the  destruction  he  makes  among  most 
of  the  reptiles  and  meadow  mice.  Grasshoppers,  other  large 
insects,  and  particularly  dragon-flies,  he  is  very  expert  in 
striking,  and  occasionally  feeds  upon  the  seeds  of  pond  lilies, 
contiguous  to  his  usual  haunts.  Our  species,  in  all  probability, 
as  well  as  the  European  Heron,  at  times  preys  upon  the  young 
birds  which  may  be  accidentally  straggling  near. their  solitary 
retreats." 

In  the  months  of  March  and  April,  1885,  I  examined 
the  stc-machs  of  twenty-three  of  these  birds  which  had 
been  killed  by  plume-hunters  in  Orange  and  Volusia 
counties,  Florida.  TAvelve  birds  had  fed  entirely  on 
fish;  three  had  taken  fish  and  crayfish;  two,  small 
snakes;  one, frogs  and  fish;  one, fish  and  a  few  feathers; 
one,  traces  of  beetles;  three  birds  were  destitute  of  all 
food  materials. 


308 


GREEN  HERON. 

Ardea  virescens. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  eighteen  inches;  extent  of  wings  about  twenty- 
six;  bill  rather  stout,  about  two  and  a  half  inches  long,  and 
about    half  an   inch   longer   than   tarsus    (ankle). 

Adult  in  Summer. — Top  of  head,  and  lengthened  crest  glossy 
green;  sides  of  head  and  neck,  except  a  dusky  streak  in  front, 
bi'ight  chestnut  or  maroon;  wing  coverts  and  upper  surface  of 
wings  and  tail  feathers  glossy  green,  wing  coA-erts  edged  with 
brownish  and  whitish;  inner  primaries  with  narrow  white  tips; 
long  scapular  plumes  bluish-white  glossed  with  green,  lower 
parts  grayish,  darkest  on  sides.  Bill  greenish-black,  except 
mandible  on  lower  surface,  also  lores  and  eyes  yellow;  legs 
greenish  yellow. 

Young. — Head  less  crested  and  dull  greenish  black,  back  and 
upper  parts  generally  greenish;  long  scapular  plumes  absent; 
wing  coveits  much  more  broadly  bordered  with  brown  and 
whitish  than  adult;  many  of  larger  wing  feathers  have  snowy 
white  tips;  chin,  throat  and  front  neck,  whitish  with  dusky 
streaks;  sides  of  head  rather  pale  raddish-brown;  lower  parts, 
whitish  with  dusky  stripes;  edge  of  wing  as  in  adult  white; 
color  of  eyes,  legs  and  bill,  very  siimilar  to  old  bird. 
.  Habitat. — Canada  and  Oregon,  southward  to  northern  South 
America  and  the  West  Indies;  rare  or  absent  in  the  middle  pro- 
vince. 

The  Green  Heron  is  known  by  a  variety  of  local 
names,  some  of  which  are  much  more  expressive  than 
elegant.  This  bird,  the  most  common  and  abundant 
of  all  our  Herons,  is  fc-und  throughout  the  State,  fre- 
quenting rivers,  streams  and  ponds.  It  arrives  in  this 
section  occasionally  as  early  as  the  first  week  in  April, 
from  the  southern  states,  where  it  resides  when  the 
chilling  blasts  of  winter  have  frozen  over  our  streams 
and  marshes.  This  s])ecies  sometimes  bi'eeds  in  small 
companies;  generally,  however,  but  two  or  thi'ec  pairs 
are  found  nesting  together. 


GREEN      HERON 


309 


THE   NEST   AND   EUGS. 


The  nests,  built  of  sticks  aud  twigs,  are  placed  in 
low  bushes  or  small  trees  adjacent  to  a  stream  or  pond. 
The  nests  i'retiuently  are  built  in  apple  orcliards.  In- 
deed, the  largest  number  of  nests  that  I  ever  fo-und  in 
one  locality  was  in  an  apple  orchard  along  the  Brandy- 
wine,  where  for  several  years  some  twenty-five  or 
thirty  of  these  birds  annually  resorted.  While  it  is 
true  that  I  have  found  these  Herons  breeding  in  small 
numbers  with  the  Night  and  Great  Blue  Herons  in 
Pennsylvania,  aud  also  in  Florida  in  company  with  the 
Little  Blu(\  Louisiana  and  Snowy  Herons,  and  even 
sometimes  in  the  colonies  of  Water  Turke.vs  and  Cor- 
morants, I  think,  as  a  rule,  they  usually  prefei"  to  re- 
main by  themselves  during  the  season  of  reproduction 
as  well  as  at  other  times.  Various  writers  state  tliat 
the  eggs  are  four  in  number.  I  luive  examined  many 
nests  and  considered  the  usual  complement  to-  be  not 
less  than  five;  frequently  six  eggs  are  laid.  The  eggs 
are  pale  blue  and  larger  than  those  of  our  common 
pigeon. 

EATS  FISH.  INSECTS,  FROGS,  ETC. 

This  species  feeds  much  more  frequently  on 
insects  than  other  of  the  herons  that  reside  with  us. 
Nuttall  writes  of  the  Green  Heron  in  the  following  Ian 
guage: 

"He  is  also  pai-ticularly  attracted  by  artificial  ponds  for  fish, 
not  refraining-  even  to  visit  gardens  and  domestic  premises 
when  any  prospect  of  fare  may  offer.  He  is,  at  the  same  time, 
perhaps  as  much  in  quest  of  the  natural  enemy  of  fish,  the 
froer,  as  of  the  legitimate  tenants  of  the  pond.  Thes,e  bold  and 
intrusive  visits  are  commonly  made  early  in  the  morning, 
towards  twiligrht,  and  he  not  unfrequently,  when  pressed  by 
hunger,   or  after  ill-success,   turns  out   tn  hunt  his  fare  by  day 


310 

as  well  as  dusk,  and  at  such  times,  collects  various  larvae, 
particularly  those  of  the  dragon-fly,  with  grasshoppers  and 
different  kinds  of  insects.  At  other  times  he  preys  upon  small 
fish,  crabs  and  frogs,  for  which  he  often  lies  patiently  in  wait 
till  they  reappear  from  their  hiding  places  in  the  water  or 
mud,  and  on  being  transfixed  and  caught,  which  is  effected 
with  great  dexterity,  they  are  commonly  beaten  to  death,  if 
large,  and  afterwards  swallowed  at  leisure." 

STOMACH   EXAMINATIONS. 

Nineteen  birds,  examined  by  me,  were  found  to  have 
fed  on  the  different  materials  named  below: 


Date 

Locality. 

Food   Materials. 

June, 

1879, 

Barnesat,    N.    J. 

Beetles  ana  other  insects. 

Oct. 

10, 

1879, 

Chester   county. 

Pa. ,     . . 

"Pall-fish." 

April 

29, 

18S0", 

Chester    county, 

Pa. ,     . . 

Frog   and   minnows. 

April 

29, 

1879, 

Chester    county, 

Pa. .     . . 

Fragments    of    insects    and    small 
quantity    of    hair    probably    thai 
of  a  field   mouse. 

May- 

12, 

1880, 

Chester   county. 

Pa..    .. 

Beetles. 

July 

3, 

1880, 

Delaware   county 

,    Pa., 

yrog. 

June 

30, 

1881, 

Chester   county. 

Pa..    .. 

Pvemains  of  small  fishes. 

Aug. 

IV, 

1881, 

Chester   county, 

Pa.,     .. 

Beetles   and    other   insects. 

May 

14, 

1882, 

Lancaster  county.    Pa., 

Fishes  and  frogs. 

May 

29, 

1882, 

Chester    county, 

Pa.,     .. 

Remains  of  small   fishes. 

July 

29, 

1882, 

Chester  county. 

Pa.,     .. 

Remains  of  small  fishes. 

July 

29, 

1882, 

Chester   county, 

Pa. ,    . . 

Remains  of  small  fishes. 

July 

29, 

1882, 

Chester   county. 

Pa.,    .. 

Remains  of  small  fishes. 

Sept 

4, 

1883, 

York   county.    Pa 

Dipterous  and   other  Insects. 

Aug. 

9, 

1892, 

Lancaster  county.    Pa., 

Dragon-fiy  and  young  Rail   (Sora 

Aug. 

12, 

1S92, 

Chester   county, 

Pa. ,    . . 

Frog  and  beetles. 

May 

28, 

1894, 

Chester   county. 

Pa..     .. 

Hair  of  small  mammal. 

June 

3, 

1896, 

•  Dauphin   county 

Pa.,     .. 

Remains  of  fish  and  beetles. 

July 

3, 

1896, 

Sullivan  county. 

Pa.,    ,. 

Feathers   and   beetles. 

•■SSJT'^urK^ 


BLACK-CROWNED    NIGHT    HERON 


311 


BLAGK-CROWNED  NIGHT  HERON. 
Nyctioorax  nyoticorax  naevius. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  very  stout  and  thick;  maxilla  slightly  curved;  bill  and 
tarsus  each  about  three  inches  long;  head  and  neck  large,  the 
latter  quite  short;  body  short  and  heavy. 

Adult.— l^ength  about  twenty-five  inches;  alar  extent,  about 
forty-four;  bill  black,  lores  greenish-yellow;  eyes,  red,  legs  yel- 
lowish; top  of  head  and  middle  of  back  glossy-greenish  black 
(sometimes  dull  black  with  little  or  no  greenish);  a  narrow 
stripe  on  forehead  reaching  to  eye;  sides  of  head  chin,  head, 
throat  and  under  parts  white,  often  tinged  with  a  faint  yel- 
lowish or  a  very  delicate  light  purple  color;  wings  and  tail 
ashy-blue;  neck,  except  in  front,  similar  but  paler.  The  adults 
frequently  have  three  long  and  white  occipital  feathers,  which 
whpn   rolled   together,   appear  as  one  thick  round   feather. 

Young.— BWl  (dried  skin)  black  and  yellowish;  iris  light  yel- 
low; legs  yellowish,  upper  part  light  brown,  spotted  or 
streaked  with  whitish;  tail  about  same  as  adult;  sides  of  head 
and  neck,  and  under  plumage  generally,  striped  with  whitish 
and  dusky.  A  young  bird  before  me  differs  from  the  last 
chiefly  in  having  top  of  head  and  large  spece  between  shoulders 
dull   brownish  gray,  without  spots. 

Habitat,— America.,  from  the  British  possessions  southward 
to   the  Falkland  Islands,  including  part  of  the  West  Indies. 

Next  to  the  Green  Heron  the  Night  Heron  is  unques- 
tionably the  most  abundant  of  the  family  in  this  State. 
The  adult  birds  are  easily  distinguished  from  other 
Herons  by  the  black  feathers  on  top  of  head  and  back, 
red  eyes,  and  frequently  three  long  white  feathers, 
which  grow  from  the  base  of  the  head.  The  appella- 
tion, Night  Heron,  is  highly  appropriate,  as  this  bird 
is  mainly  nocturnal  in  its  habits.  During  the  day-time 
the  Night  Heron  is  inactive,  and  generally  is  found 
perched  on  a  log  or  the  limb  of  a  tree  in  a  quite  nook 
about  the  swamps  and  streams.  As  twilight  ap- 
proaches this  drowsy  wader  becomes,  as  it  were,  a  new 
being — impelled,  no  donbt,  by  the  pangs  of  hunger — he 


:ii2 

stands  erecr,  (he  loose  and  sliag<;;y  plumage,  wliich  be- 
fore seemed  ill  adapted  to  his  body,  now  tits  nc^atly  and 
closely  as  he  carefully  walks  to  the  extremity  of  the 
dead  and  decorticated  limb  on  which  he  has  been  doz- 
ing and  suddenly,  with  a  loud  squawk,  launches  him- 
self into  the  air,  uttering-  at  short  intervals  his  harsh 
note,  and  rising  above  tlie  trees  of  the  forest,  he  speed- 
ily visits  some  favorite  mill-dam.  These  birds  arrive 
in  Pennsylvania  about  the  25(h  of  April  and  remain 
until  the  latter  part  of  September,  They  seem  to  re- 
pair at  once  on  their  arrival  in  spring  to  localities 
where  they  are  accusto-med  to  breed.  After  the 
breeding  season,  i.  e.,  about  the  middle  of  August, 
when  the  young  are  amply  able  to  take  care  of  tluMu- 
selves.  these  birds  fiusake  their  nesting  places  and  be- 
come quite  i)lentifnl  along  the  rivers,  streams  and 
busily  marshes. 

THEY  BREED  IN  COI^ONIES. 

The  Night  Heion  rarely,  if  ever  breeds  singly,  but 
always  in  large  companies.  I  have  visited,  on  differ 
ent  occasions,  two  of  tliese  breeding  resorts  and  found 
from  twenty-five  to  seventy-five  nests,  which  like  those 
of  the  other  species,  were  built  c.f  sticks  and  placed 
usually  in  high  trees.  The  eggs  three  or  four  in  num- 
ber are  a  y)ale  sea-green  color  and  measure  about  2 
by  H  inches.  In  Berks  county,  near  Blue  Rock,  foi- 
many  years,  this  s]>ecies  annually  reared  their  young 
in  the  edge  of  a  large  woods  alcng  the  margin  of  which 
was  a  good-sized  stream.  In  this  place  many  of  the 
nests  were  built  in  a  bunch  of  saplings,  some  tifieen  or 
twenty  foet  higli  and  so  small  in  diamoler  that  it  was 
imJ^ossib1e  to  climb  them.  AVilson  has  very  properl.v 
said  that  the  noise  of  the  O'ld  and  voung  in  one  of  these 


:^13 

breeding  places  would  induce  one  to  suppose  that  two 
oi'  (hree  hundied  Indians  were  (choking  oi  throttling; 
(;ach  other.  The  same  writer,  in  referring  to  examina- 
tions wliieli  he  made,  states  that  the  teetli  of  the 
pectinated  claw  were  thirty-five  or  forty  in  number, 
and  as  they  contained  particles  of  the  down  of  the 
bird,  showed  evidently  from  this  circumstance  that 
they  act  the  part  of  a  comb  to  rid  the  bird  of  vermin 
in  those  parts  which  it  cannot  reach  willi  its  bill. 

POND   OF  GOLD   FISH. 

A  gentleman  residing  near  West  Chester,  some  years 
ago,  had  large  numbers  of  gold-fishes  in  a  pond  near 
his  residence.  One  day  he  caught  twenty-five  of  these 
fish  and  placed  thou  in  a  small  pool,  intending  to  re- 
move them  the  following  morning,  "About  bedtime," 
he  said,  "I  heard  a  loud  squawking,  and  going  out  saw 
two  Night  Herons  actively  engaged  in  catching  these 
fish.  I  shot  one  of  these  robbers,  and  on  making  an 
investigation  found  only  one  of  the  fish  remaining." 
The  late  Isaac  G.  Darlington  of  West  Chester,  in- 
formed me  he  on  one  occasion  shot  a  Night  Heron  in 
the  act  of  killing  his  young  ducks  on  a  pond  near  his 
house. 

"An  incident  may  illustiate  the  habits  of  the  Night  Heron, 
and  perhaps  of  the  whole  family.  A  Night  Heron  had  been 
noticed  for  several  days  sitting-  on  a  tree  near  a  branch  of 
White  Clay  creek.  It  was  at  length  shot  and  brought  to  me. 
with  the  tail  of  a  large  fish  projecting  four  inches  beyond  its 
bill.  On  removing  the  fish  (a  sucker  Catostcmus,  which  must 
have  been  twelve  inches  long),  its  head  and  shoulders— except 
the  bony  portions— were  eaten  away  by  the  gastric  liquor  of  the 
stomach." — Michener. 

THEiY  SUBSIST  MAINLY  ON   FISH. 

r  liavo  examined  the  stomachs  of  twenty  odd  of 
tlicsc  Herons,  adults  and  young,  wliicli  liave  been  shot 


314 

iu  June  at  the  breeding-grounds,  and  found  in  ail  only 
the  remains  of  fishes.  In  two  or  three  immature  birds 
talien  in  August  and  September,  1  have  discovered  a 
few  grasshoppers  and  portions  of  insects. 

Hon.  Hiram  Peoples,  of  New  Providence,  Lancaster 
county.  Pa.,  who  devotes  much  attention  to  fish  culture, 
raising  large  quantities  of  Bass  and  Goldfish  for  the 
markets,  says  he  is  bothered  a  great  deal  by  Pish 
Hawks,  Night  Herons  and  Kingfishers.  He  states  that 
the  depredations  of  these  birds  in  his  fish  ponds  be- 
came so  numerous  that  he  offered  a  premium  of  fifty 
cents  for  each  Fish  Hawk  o^r  Night  Heron,  and  ten 
cents  for  every  Kingfisher  which  was  killed  on  his 
premises.  This  offer  induced  several  neighbors'  boy® 
to  make  particular  efforts  to  destroy  the  feathered 
fishermen.  Mr.  Peoples  estimates  that  he  lost  an- 
nually from  fifty  to  seventy-five  dollar's  worth  of  fishes 
through  the  visits  of  these  birds  before  he  began  kill- 
ing them  and  paying  bounties  for  their  heads. 


315 


AMERICAN  BITTERN. 
Botaurus  lentiginosns. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult. — Bill  yellowish,  dusky  on  ridge;  bare  space  in  front 
of  eyes  greenish-yellow;  legs  and  feet  greenish-yellow;  eyes 
yellow.  Length,  about  twenty-six  inches;  extent,  about  forty- 
five  inches.  General  color  brownish-yellow,  top  of  head  dull 
brown;  upper  parts  finely  freckled  and  variegated  with  differ- 
ent shades  of  brown,  blackish  and  whitish;  chin  and  throat 
white  with  brown  streak;  a  broad  and  glossy  black  stripe 
about  three  inches  long  on  upper  part  of  neck. 

Habitat. — Temperate  North  America,  south  to  Guatemala 
and  the  West  Indies. 

This  as  well  as  otlier  species  are  very  commonly  but 
erroiieously  called  Cranes.  The  American  Bittern  is 
known  to  nimrods  and  fishermen  in  many  sections  of 
the  State  as  "G^reen-leg^ged  Crane;"  the  name  of  "In- 
dian Hen"  is  likewise  applied  to  this  bird  as  well  as 
the  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo, 

HAS    A    LOUD    VOICE. 

This  Bittern  is  a  summer  resident  in  Pennsylvania, 
arriving  early  in  April  and  remaining  sometimes  as 
late  as  the  early  part  of  November.  Its  notes  are  loud 
and  quite  remarkable  and  under  favorable  cii'cum- 
(Stancea  they  may  be  heard  at  a  distance  of  at  least 
three  quarters  of  a  mile.  These  notes  are  of  two  kinds. 
One  known  as  the  "pumping"  call  is  described  as  fol- 
lows: pump-er-lunk,  pump-er-lunk,  pump-er-lunk,  and 
the  other  is  so  like  the  sound  made  by  driving  a  stake 
in  the  mud,  that  it  has  given  rise  to  one  of  the  com- 
mon names  of  this  bird,  namely  "Stake-driver." 

With  us  this  species  is  seen  singly  or  in  pairs  fre- 
quenting chiefly  the  thick  swampy  places  about  mead- 
ows, rivers  and  la-kes. 


nu; 


THE     NEST    AND    EOOS. 

The  frail  nest  of  tliis  binl  is  on  llie  ground.  The 
ejrgs,  tlirco  to  five  in  number,  aie  bi-ownisli-driib,  un- 
spotted and  about  two  indies  long  by  about  one  and 
one-half  inches  broad. 

ITS    FOOD. 

The  Bittern  feeds  on  fish,  crayfish,  frogs,  tadpoles, 
snakes,  snails,  different  kinds  of  insects,  particularly 
grasshoppers  and  beetles.  It  catches  mice  and  other 
small-sized  quadrupeds  which  it  chances  to.  come  across 
in  its  secluded  retreats,  and  sometimes  it  will  kill  the 
voung  of  ducks  aond  Rails. 


:m 


CHAPTER  V. 


MAMMALS. 

Keiiilv  tifly  well  (h-fiiicd  species,  and  a  iiiiiiil)i*r  (if 
subspecies,  va.i'ielies  or  races  of  four-fooled  wild  ani- 
mals are  found  in  Pennsylvania.  The  Bison  or  Jiuftali; 
has  lonj;-  since  been  exteiniinated;  the  last  Aniencan 
KIk  or  ^Va}>iti  was  taken  about  thirty-five  years  ago  in 
VAk  county,  and  the  Beaver,  a  valuable  and  harmless 
fur-bearing  animal,  is  also  extirpated.  There  seems 
to  be  little  room  for  doubt  that  the  North  American 
\Volf,  the  Canada  Lynx,  or  "Loup  Cervier,"  as  it  is 
railed  by  the  French  Canadians^  and  the  Panther  are 
no  longer  t€  be  found  in  this  State. 

"NEW   FACES    WILL   MEET   US." 

Future  investigations  of  our  modern  naturalists, 
some  of  whom  delight  to  discover  and  name  new 
''races,"  will,  no  doubt,  if  instituted  with  proper  indus- 
try, materially  augment  the  number  given  above.  A 
Sealtaken  two  years  ago  in  the  Delaware  river  at  Ches- 
ter City,  Delaware  cO'unty,W'as  an  accidental  straggler. 
Two  Leopards,  a  Tiger,  several  ^Volves,  Coyotes, 
Praine  Dogs,  a  Badger,  and  Hares,  w^liich  have  been 
captured,  according  to  different  i'e])orts  received  dur- 
ing the  past  four  or  five  years,  were,  of  course,  escai>ed 
captives,  and  they  cannot  properly  be  included  in  the 
mammali;!!!  fauna  of  Pennsvlvania, 


818 

VALUABLE   P"UR-BEAR1NG   SPKCIES. 

The  mammals  Avhich  occur  with  us  are  pennanent 
residents,  but  birds,  or  many  of  them,  on  the  other 
hand,  reside  here  only  during  certain  periods  of  the 
year. 

The  most  important  and  vaulable  fur-bearing  ani- 
mals at  ])resent  found  in  this  State  are  the  Black  Bear, 
Minks,  Skunks,  Muskrats,  Otter,  Raccoon,  Opossum, 
Fisher  and  Marten.  Of  this  list  the  two  last  men- 
tioned are  restricted  to  a  few  sparsely  settled  districts, 
and  even  in  such  remote  and  uninhabited  wilds  they 
are  seldom  seen. 

Some  mammals,  for  example  the  Wildcat,  Black 
Bear,  Fo-xes,  Minks,  Meadow  Mice,  Muskrat,  Wood- 
chuck  and  a  few  others,  when  present  in  a  locality  in 
any  considerable  number,  do  much  damage  and  should 
be  destroyed.  It  is  not,  however,  wise  or  just  to 
wrongfully  condemn  certain  of  the  common  animals 
found  about  the  farmer's  cultivated  enclosures,  or  in 
the  forests,  when  it  is  known,  at  least  to  naturalists, 
that  the  good  thej  do  far  outweighs  their  depredations 
to  poultry,  game  or  vegetable  crops, 

DISTURBING  NATURE'S   BALANCE. 

Widespread  misconception  of  the  true  relation 
which  mammals,  birds  and  insects  have  to  man's  in- 
terests have  done  much  in  recent  years  in  this  and 
other  countries  to  militate  against  the  welfare  and 
comfort  of  mankind. 

The  truth  of  tliis  can  be  shown  by  briefly  referring 
to  some  mistakes  made  by  the  introduction  of  species 
with  a  view  to  naturalization  or  otherwise,  and  the 
cruel,  useless  slaughter  of  others,  thus  disturbing  the 


319 

Balance  of  Nature,  and  resulting  in  an  enormous  loss 
that  falls,  especially,  on  farmers  and  horticulturists. 

GREAT    ERRORS. 

The  English  Sparrow,  twenty-five  or  thirty  years  ago, 
was  brought  to  Pennsylvania  because  it  Avas  believed 
he  would  destroy  insect  pests  which  defoliated  shade 
and  fruit  trees,  and  attacked  cultivated  crops.  Since 
this  bird  has  become  established,  not  o-nly  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, but  generally  throughout  the  United  States 
and  Canada,  it  has  been  learned  ho  is  a  most  undesira- 
ble addition  to  our  fauna.  He  devours  cereals,  fruits, 
buds  and  blossoms  of  fruit,  shade  and  ornamental 
trees,  as  well  as  different  kinds  of  garden  produce. 
He  loves  the  tender  buds  of  grape  vines  and  their  ripe 
fruit.  In  the  fajnous  Erie  grape  belt  of  this  State,  it 
is  estimated  that  English  Sparrows  annually  destroy 
from  $30,000  to  $35,000  worth  of  grapes. 

INSECTIVOROUS   BIRDS  DRIVEN  AWAY. 

These  little  feathered  pests,  great  fighters  that  they 
are,  live  continually  about  human  habitations  from 
which  they  drive  away  numerous  kinds  of  beneficial 
birds  that  formerly  did  great  service  to  the  human  race 
by  aiding  to  repress  pestiferous  insect  foes  that  the 
pugnacious,  grain-eating  Sparrow  disdains  to  touch. 
It  is  stated  that  no-t  less  than  seventy-two  kinds  of 
birds  which  are  found  throughout  the  wide  ai*ea  of  this 
continent,  where  this  imy)orted  bird  nuisance  is  now 
ensconced,  have  been  di-iven  by  English  Sparrows 
from  their  old-timed  nesting  haunts  about  the  habita- 
tions of  man. 

The  people  now  want  the  English  Sparrow  de- 
stroyed, and  many  favor  a  bounty  for  his  mischiveous 
head.     Put  such  a  method  of  exterminating  this  bird 


:i20 

will  iicNcr  (l(t,  hccniisc  ]K>]Mil;ir  i^iHuaiicc  of  birds,  ((!- 
jictlui'  wiili  iium's  yrtt'd  foi*  peciiiiiMrv  ^ain,  would 
bi'inj^  jiboul  the  t-xterminalioii  of  great  iiuiiib(;rs  of 
beneficial  soug-  and  other  birds  which  would  be  called 
"English  Spairows.'*' 

HAS  AGRICULTURE  PROFITED? 

Willi  a  view  of  "beuefiting  agriculture"  and  ju'olecl- 
ing  i»aulti7  and  game  in  Pennsylvania  bonuty  acts 
have  been  enacted  which  alloAved  hunters  to  slay  with 
indisci'iniinate  liand  many  of  the  most  useful  birds  and 
mammals.  This  legislation,  brought  about  by  popular 
prejudice  and  a  deplorable  ignorance  of  the  habits  of 
animals  placed  under  ban,  has  cost  thousands  and 
thousands  of  dollars  in  cash  paid  out  of  the  county 
funds.  While  it  is  true  the  original  money  outlay  was 
great  (indeed,  it  proved  a  senous  burden  to  taxpayers 
in  some  sections  of  the  Commonwealth)  the  loss  or 
fruit  of  such  folly  will  be  much  more  from  a  money 
standpoint  to  our  faimers  than  the  large  sums  first 
expended.  Even  dui'ing  the  past  three  or  four  years, 
as  an  echo  of  the  odious  scalp  act  of  1885,  we  hear, 
from  different  sections  of  this  State,  of  the  great  dam- 
age done  by  Meadow  ^fice,  Rats  and  Rabbits.  Strange 
is  it  not  that  many  ])eo']>le  who  now  complain  of  ro- 
dents and  insects  doing  so  much  harm  to  their  pi'Oi)erty. 
were^  and  are  even  yet,  firm  believers  in  ]taying  l)oun- 
ties? 

When  a  man  goes  to  the  «hop  or  market  place  to 
make  a  purchase,  it  is  a  common  saying,  "He  pays  his 
money  and  makes  his  choice:"  so  it  is  with  the  bounty 
question.  Continue  to  ])ay  ])remiums  foa-  beneficial 
birds  of  l>rey  and  mammals  which  live  largely  on  del 
rimental  forms  of  animal  life,  and  we  will  have  more 


321 

mice  and  insects,  but  the  farmer  and  iKn'ticultiiiisL 
will,  in  many  in&*tances,  have  considerably  less  ready 
cash  to  purchase  in.secticides,  spraying  machines  and 
other  insect  destroyers  that  are  now  necessary  for 
almost  every  sucessful  farmer  and  fruit  grower  to 
possess. 

DANGER  OF  IMPORTING  FOREIGN   SPECIES. 

The  importation  of  foreign  species  of  insects  as  well 
as  other  forms  of  animal  life  often  results  disastrously. 
Nature  aims  to  restrain  the  over  development  of  one 
species  by  means  of  another; 

"Small  fleas  have  smaller  fleas  to  bite  'em, 
And  these  have  smaller  fleas  ad  infinitum." 

and  as  Mr.  Gerald  McCai-thy*  states: 

"When  a  species  is  transported  to  some  distant  locality  it  is 
apt  to  leave  behind  its  corelated  restraining  species,  and  hence 
in  its  new  home  it  is  enabled  to  multiply  more  rapidly  and  do 
more  damage  than  in  its  native  home." 

SOME    TROUBLESOME    PESTS. 

The  (jipsy  Moth,  introduced  by  accident  into  the 
Bay  State,  has  ravaged  a  portion  of  Massachusetts, 
and  over  $750,000  have  been  spent  to  eradicate  this 
destroyer  of  foliage,  thus  far  with  only  partial  suc- 
cess. Investigations  proved  that  many  kinds  of  birds 
(some  of  which  were  called  poultry  and  game  destroy- 
ers) devoured  the  larvae  of  the  Gipsy  Moth.  When 
this  became  known  and  it  was  learned  that  great  num- 
bers of  these   feathered   benefactors  were  being  de- 

*The  diseases  and  insects  affecting  fruit  trees  and  plants, 
with  remedies  for  their  destruction,  by  Gerald  McCarthy,  Botan- 
ist and  Entomologist,  rublished  Aug.  22,  1893,  as  chapter  11, 
Bulletin  No.  92,  of  the  North  Carolina  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station. 

2i--n 


322 

stroyed  in  large  iiunibers  for  iiiilliiicrv  and  other  dec- 
orative purposes  a  poi)iilar  clamor  arose  against  such 
practices  and  the  Massaeliusetts  lawmakers  recently 
showed  much  good  sense  by  enacting  a  law  prohibiting 
the  killing  and  use  of  song  and  insectivorous  birds  for 
the  millinery  trade. 

The  Elm-leaf  licetle.  an  exotic,  is  another  costly  ex- 
ample of  meddling  with  "Nature's  plans. 

Rabbits  were  introduced  in  Australia.  They  in- 
creased with  prodigious  rapidity,  and  so  abundant  and 
destructive  did  they  become  that  for  a  time  their  rav- 
ages threatened  to  ruin  the  country. 

German  Carp  have  been  placed  in  many  of  the  best 
fishing  groui.ds  in  Pennsylvania.  This  mistake  is  dis- 
covered when  it  is  too  late,  perhaps,  to  x)revent  them 
from  depojiulating  the  waters  in  which  they  live  of 
desirable  and  valuable  fishes. 

MOTHER    EVE    AND    HER    SUCCESSORS. 

When  Mother  Eve  started  tlie  first  sewing  society 
over  which  she  ruled  supreme  in  the  Garden  of  Eden, 
and  began  to  make  wearing  apparel  she  was,  so  rec- 
ords say.  content  to  dress  in  plain  and  abbreviated 
garb.  Women  of  the  present  age.  particularly  some 
who  "sti'ide  the  wheel,"  pattern  after  Eve's  short  skirts; 
and  lovely  woman  also  delights  to  adorn  her  shapely 
Unm  with  Nature's  beauties  of  both  plant  and  animal 
kind.  Of  course,  no  one  would  dare  to  believe  that 
women  of  this  generation  could  ever  be  induced  to  em- 
ploy the  pi'imitive  fig  leaf  dress  of  her  ancient  and  re- 
nowned ancestor,  even  if  the  demands  of  fickle  fashion 
should  eventually  revert  to  the  days  when  Eve  did  all 
her  own  house  work,  spanked,  and  otherwise  cared  for 
the  babies,  and  besides  all  this,  made  her  own  hats. 


:^23 

boiiiiels  aud  clothiug-  without  the  aid  of  a  single  fash- 
ioai  plate;  foi-  history  does  not  show  that  Adam  even 
once  applied  to  Woi-(li,  of  Paris,  or  any  other  eostumer, 
to  get  his  faithful  spouse  guides  to  aid  in  adorning  her 
person. 

\A^omen's  vanity  and  the  requii^enieuts  of  fashion 
have,  witMn  the  past  tAvemty  years,  brought  about  the 
destruction  of  millions  and  millions  cf  bright-coated 
song  and  insectivorous  birds.  These  beneficial  feath- 
ered creatures — servants  and  friends  of  the  human 
race — inhabit  chietiy  the  cultivated  possessions  of 
man,  where  myi-iads  of  destructive  insects  and  larvae 
breed  so  proliflcally  and  do  inestimable  damage. 
Since  the  wearing  of  insectivorous  birds  on  liats  has 
become  i)opular,  it  is  learned  that  many  crops  that, 
prior  to  this  baibarous  custom,  were  gi"0wn  without 
much  difficulty,  cannot  now  be  successfully  raised  to 
maturity  without  the  employment  of  insecticides 
which,  foaturalely,  modern  economic  entomological 
scientists  have  discovered  to  aid  the  husbandman  in 
supi)ressing  insect  enemies. 

EXPERT    IN    ELUDING    OBSERVATION. 

Mammals  are  shy  and  wary,  which,  with  the  fact 
that  most  of  them  do  not  move  about  during  the  broad 
daylight,  enables  these  creatures  to  readily  elude  ob 
servation.  With  the  exception  of  Red  Squirrels,  Chip- 
munks, Gray  Squirrels,  Foxes,  some  of  the  Mice,  Cot- 
tontails, the  Woodchuck,  Muskrat  and  an  occasional 
Deer,  the  average  sportsman,  or  fisherman,  seldom  sees 
any  of  our  mammals.  This  is  chiefly  due  to  the  fact 
that  they  so  often  remain  hidden  during  the  daylight 
in  secure  retreats  where  only  those  who  are  acquainted 
with  their  habits  and  haunts  can  discover  them  with 
anv  degree  of  certaintv. 


324 

Miimmals  aiv  both  iioctuiiiiil  and  diurnal.  The 
(ri-ay  Squill ol,  riiipniuiiks,  Woodcliuck  and  Ki'd  Sqnir 
rels  seem  lo  move  about  more  in  tlie  daytime  than  any 
others;  and  Dr.  Meriiam  says  the  Gray  Squirrel  and 
(■hipnuink  are  Die  only  two  "that  have  not  been  seen 
after  nightfall." 

The  Racccon,  Skunks,  Bats  and  Flying-  Squirrels  are 
decidedly  nocturnal  in  their  habits;  but,  as  Dr.  Mer- 
riam  states: 

"Even  these  are  occasionally  seen  abroad  during  cloudy  days, 
and  do  much  of  their  hunting  in  the  twilight.  The  truth  of 
the  matter  seems  to  be  that  very  few  mammals  range  about 
much  during  the  brightest  part  of  the  day,  or  darkest  part  of 
the  night,  these  being  the  times  when  most  of  them  do  the 
greater  part  of  their  sleeping.  It  is  between  the  dark  and  the 
daylight,  before  sunrise  in  the  morning  and  in  the  dusk  of 
evening,  when  the  faint  light  obscures  their  outlines  and  hides 
their  movements,  that  the  larger  number  do  their  hunting. 
Many  of  them  are  also  out  during  cloudy  days  and  moonlight 
nights;  and  in  winter,  when  the  ground  is  white  with  snow,  they 
apparently   circumambulate  all   night   long." 

SOME    ARE    SOUND    SLEEPERS. 

"The  phenomenon  of  hibernation,  which  enables  many  mam- 
mals to  endure  a  climate  to  the  severity  of  which  they  would 
inevitably  succumb  were  they  to  remain  active  throughout  the 
year,  and  to  thrive  in  regions  where  they  would  starve  during 
certain  seasons  but  for  their  ability  to  become  dormant  when 
scarcity  of  food  prevails,  is  well  exemplified  in  a  number  of 
our  species.  The  following  are  known  to  pass  a  greater  or  less 
period  of  the  winter  season  in  a  condition  of  lethargy:  The 
Bear,  Raccoon,  Bats,  Gray  Squirrel,  Chipmunk,  Woodchuck, 
and  Jumping  Mouse.  Of  these  the  Woodchuck  (Ground  Hog) 
affords  the  most  remarkable  example.  "With  astonishing  reg- 
ularity and  precision,  and  utterly  regardless  of  the  state  of 
weather  or  condition  of  his  food  supply,  he  sinks  into  his  bur- 
row about  the  20th  of  September,*  and  is  rarely  seen  again  be- 

*In  some  sections  of  Pennsylvania  this  animal  does  not  re- 
tire to  winter  quarters,  it  is  said,  before  the  middle  of  October, 
and  he  is  often  seen  in  the  early  part  of  March  and  sometimes 
in  February. — B.   H.  Warren. 


325 

fore  the  middle  of  March.  It  frequently,  indeed  usually,  hap- 
pens that  the  time  chosen  for  t-ntering  upon  the  execution  of 
this  singular  proclivity  is  during  fine,  warm,  weather  and  at  a 
time  when  the  fields  are  clothed  with  a  luxuriant  growth  of  his 
favorite  food,  clover.  In  fact  the  Woodchuck  retires  to  the  cold 
dark  recesses  of  his  cheerless  subterranean  abode  to  commence 
a  period  of  voluntary  seclusion,  to  enter  upon  a  state  of  com- 
plete oblivion  and  absolute  lethargy,  at  the  very  time  when  «ine 
would  naturally  suppose  he  would  most  enjoy  himself  above 
ground. 

"The  Gray  Squirrel,  on  the  other  hand,  remains  out  nearly 
the  entire  winter,  and  withdraws  to  its  nest  in  some  hollow  tree 
only  during  the  severest  weather.  The  Raccoon  and  Bear  fur- 
nish examples  of  animals  whose  dormant  periods  are  interme- 
diate in  duration  between  those  above  cited. 

"Hibernation  is,  after  all,  merely  a  profound  sleep,  intensified 
and  protracted.  During  ordinary  sleep  respiration  is  slackened 
and  the  temperature  of  the  body  is  lower  than  when  the  animal 
is  awake.  The  longer  the  sleep  continues  the  less  frequent  do 
the  respirations  become  and  the  lower  does  the  temperature  fall, 
jtill  finally  the  condition  of  deep  and  continuad  sleep — the  true 
lethargy  of  hibernation — is  attained.  This  apparent  phenom- 
enon, then,  is  a  genuine  physiological  process,  differing  in  de- 
gree only  from  ordinary  sleep.  It  is  the  result  of  conditions  of 
environment,  and  has  become  an  hereditary  habit,  enabling  cer- 
tain mammals  to  exist  during  a  period  when  their  usual  food 
supply  is  cut  off.  The  dormant  state  is  sometimes  brought  on 
by  extremes  of  temperature,  but  this  is  not  often  the  case."— 
From  The  Vertebrates  of  the  Adirondack  Region,  Northwest- 
ern New  York,  By  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam,  pp.  28,  29. 

Animals  like,  the  Minks,  which  often  make  long 
journeys  to  good  hunting  grounds,  or  others  such  as 
the  Foxes,  Weasels.  AVildcat,  etc.,  which  frequently 
range  over  large  areas  of  territory,  have  no  difficulty 
to  obtain  necessary  food  supplies,  consequently  hiber- 
nation with  them  is  not  a  necessity  to  maintain  exis 
tence. 

ABUNDANCE    OF    SO.MK    M.\.%rMAI.P. 

Ill  iiiauy  sections  of  Pennsylvaniji,  mammals — parii- 
cularly  species  which  are  readily  disi)0sed  of  to  fur 


326 

tradt'i-s — ;ij)p(ai-  lu  be  very  imich  iiioic  abundant  lliaii 
lias  been  commonly  supposed.  The  plentitude  of  same 
of  tihese  species  which  destroy  annually  large  numbers 
of  domesticated  fowls,  game,  etc.,  accounts,  in  a  large 
degree,  for  the  great  loss  whicli  is  every  year  sustained 
by  farmers  and  poulterers. 

About  three  years  ago  the  writer  began  to  collect 
statistics  and  data  conceining  the  fur-bearing  ixud 
poultry-destroying  mamninls  which  are  found  in  Penn- 
sylvania. Efforts  in  tliis  direction  were  eminently 
successful  and  a  large  amount  of  interesting  and  in- 
structive material  was  obtained  from  fur  dealers,  hun- 
ters, trappers  and  naturalists  throughout  the  State. 

Unfortunately,  liowever,  the  fire  whicli  burned  the 
State  Capitol  building  in  February,  181)7,  destroyed 
this  material  which,  with  everything  else  in  the  office 
of  the  writer,  was  consumed.  At  first,  when  the  re- 
|)()r(s  from  some  sources  showing  great  numbers  of 
animals  taken  yearly  for  the  pelts  or  bounty  began  to 
reacli  the  office,  they  were  looked  upon  witli  doubt 
and  it  was  thought  they  were  sent  without  i)roper  in- 
(juiry  or  by  mistakes,  unwittingly  made.  The  fig- 
ures given,  in  some  cases,  were  so  surprising,  that 
after  consultation  with  the  Secretary  of  this  Depart- 
ment, who  in  common  with  the  Zoologist,  was  desirous 
of  publishing  for  public  use  no  misleading  statistics, 
special  efforts  were  made  to  verify  a  number  of  the 
returns  wliere  there  w\^s  any  possible  room  for  doubt 
as  to  reliability,  These  efforts  shewed — barring  a  few 
reports  from  professional  scalp  hunters  and  over-zeal- 
ous fur-buyers — that  the  returns  made  to  this  Depart- 
ment wei'e  co'rrect,  and  where  defective,  it  was  be- 
cause the  persons  pre]iaring  them  had  been  so  cautions 
as  to  underestimate  rather  than  exaggerate.  Tn 
chapter  IX  of  this  document  a  number  of  "bounty  rec- 


827 

ords"  are  published.  While  some  ot  them,  are  per 
haps,  not  eutirely  accurate  they  iievertheless  show- 
plainly  that  large  numbers  of  poultry  and  game  con- 
suming aninuds  are  present  in  nearly  every  section  o^f 
the  State. 

From  a  few  reports,  received  from  several  reliable 
sources,  and  which  luckily  were  not  destroyed  by  the 
flames,  extracts  as  ftillows  are  made:  In  the  populous 
and  rich  agricultural  county  of  York.  Mr.  J.  G.  Patter- 
son, of  vStewartstown,  says: 

"The  fur — chiefly  Muskiat?,  Skunks.  Opossums,  Raccoons, 
Minks  and   Foxes — obtained   in  1895,   sold   for  about  $20,fX)0." 

Hon.  Jas.  G.  Mitchell,  at  Hamilton,  Pa.,  a  gentleman 
who  is  esteemed  by  all  who  are  acquainted  with  his 
legislative  career,  to  be  one  of  the  most  loyal  advocates 
the  farmers  and  laboring  classes  ever  sent  to  the  Penn- 
sylvania Senate,  writes  that: 

"From  the  township  of  Perry,  where  I  reside,  there  was,  in 
the  winter  of  1895  and  '96,  at  least  $1,000  worth  of  fur  shipped 
to  New  York.  These  raw  furs,  many  of  which  I  purchased,  con- 
sisted chiefly  of  Skunks,  Muskrats,  Minks  and  Foxes.  A  good 
many  Opossums  and  some  Wildcats  are  taken  in  our  county. 
I  consider  $12,000  a  very  conservative  estimate  to  place  on  the 
fur-bearing:  animals   annually   taken    in  Jefferson   county." 

THE    WORK    OF    TWO    TRAPPERS. 

Tn  the  county  of  Huntingdon,  so  ably  represented  in 
our  Legislative  halls  for  many  years,  by  Hon.  P.  M. 
Lytle,  who  has  won  distinction  for  his  rare  oratorical 
ability  and  persistent  advocacy  of  all  matters  which 
would  benefit  farmers  and  the  workingman.  there  re- 
sides an  individual  named  John  P.  Swope,  whO'  has 
won  great  local  prominence  because  of  his  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  habits  of  undomeslicatiHl  mammals. 


328 

which,  with  his  iiiarveh)iis  skill  as  ii  trapper  and  huii 
ter,  enables  him  to  make  a  j^ood  yearly  income.  In 
relation  to  this  trapper's  work  for  the  years  1895  and 
1896  the  following  paragraphs  are  clipped  from  two 
reliable  newspapers  of  Central  Pennsylvania: 

"John  P.  Swope,  the  noted  trapper  of  Alexandria,  takes  the 
premium  for  scalps  during-  the  year  1895.  Following  is  the 
recard  of  payments  to  him  each  month  by  the  county  treasurer: 
February,  $8;  March,  $25.50;  April,  $37.25;  May,  $14.50;  Juno, 
$38.50;  July,  $85.00;  August,  $49.00;  September,  $48.25;  October, 
$101.50;  November,  $81.00;  December,  $100.75.  Total  for  eleven 
months,  $590.25. 

"The  whole  amount  paid  to  all  persons  for  scalps  during  the 
year  was  $1,157.00.  of  which  Mr.  Swope  received  more  than  one- 
half.  He  was  in  town  on  Thursday  last  and  received  money 
on  the  following:  12  foxes,  13  minks,  1  wildcat— $27.26  for  Jan- 
uary, 1896."— Huntingdon  Globe. 

The  Bellefonte  (Centre  county)  Deniocial.  of  Decem- 
ber 3,  1890,  publishes  the  following  relative  to  Mr. 
Swope's  record  during  ten  and  a  half  months  for  1896: 

"John  P.  Swope  makes  a  handsome  living  at  gunning  and 
trapping.  Gunners  and  trappers  in  Huntingdon  county  are  dis- 
playing considerable  activity  at  the  present  time,  but  peculiar 
interest  centres  in  the  success  of  John  P.  Swope,  of  Alexandria, 
who  is  without  doubt  king  among  trappers  in  central  Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr.  Swope  does  nothing  but  trap  the  whole  year  round, 
and  he  makes  more  money  at  this  business  than  the  majority 
of  men  receive  in  individual  salaries;  in  fact,  he  gets  each  year 
from  Huntingdon  county  an  amount  that  few  of  the  "big"  men 
of  the  community  would  refuse  to  accept  as  an  annual  stipend. 
Mr.  Swope  is  well  up  in  the  art  of  trapping.  He  has  many  im- 
itators, but  none  of  the  latter  meet  with  any  great  degree  of 
success.  It  is  said  that  Swope  has  about  fifty  traps  set  nearly 
all  the  while,  and  his  time  is  pretty  much  occupied  in  making 
inspections  at  certain  intervals.  It  is  known  that  he  can  trap 
on  the  same  ground  where  others  fail.  This  has  been  demon- 
strated. His  success  has  inspired  jealousy  on  the  part  of  imi- 
tators. On  one  occasion,  at  least,  he  was  warned  by  White 
Cap  notices  to  keep  off  the  premises  of  tJiose  who  have  vainly 
tiled  to  achieve  a  measure  of  his  success. 


320 

"Mr.  ^wope's  record  in  trapping  and  killing  animals  for  which 
a  premium  is  allowed  by  legislative  enactment  and  the  amount 
he  has  received  from  Huntingdon  county  in  the  ten  and  onp- 
half  months  of  the  present  year,  are  shown  in  the  following 
statement:  739  foxes,  at  $1.00  each,  $739.00;  13  wildcats,  at  $2.00 
each,  $26.00;  1,290  minks,  at  25  cents  each,  $322.50.     Total  $1,087.50." 

A  WYOMING  COUNTY  TRAPPER. 

The  note  books  of  Mr.  G.  F.  Smith,  a  trapper  and 
hunter  of  Mill  City,  Wyomin*^  county,  Pa.,  showthathe 
has  taken  the  following  mammals  in  his  neighborhood: 

"In  1889  and  1890,  23  foxes;  43  raccoons;  37  skunks;  19  minks; 
2  wildcats;  31  muskrats;  1  bear.  1891,  17  foxes;  21  raccoons;  42 
skunks;  7  minks;  3  wildcats;  3  muskrats;  1  bear.  1892,  19  foxes; 
33  raccoons;  60  skunks;  3  minks;  5  wildcats;  18  muskrats.  1893, 
21  foxes;  61  raccoons;  58  skunks;  7  minks;  4  wildcats;  1  muskrat. 
1894,  18  foxes;  17  raccoons;  44  skunks;  4  minks;  3  wildcats;  2 
muskrats.  1895,  20  foxes;  30  raccoons;  51  skunks;  1  mink;  3 
muskrats.  1896,  28  foxes;  52  raccoons;  26  skunks.  Total,  146 
foxes;  257  raccoons;  318  skunks;  41  minks;  18  wildcats;  58  musk- 
rats;  2  bears." 

In  1896  Mr.  Smith  cai)tured  an  opossum  which  is  re- 
ported to  be  a  rare  visitor  in  that  region. 

REPORTS   FROM    SOME    FUR    DEALERS. 
MR.  BUSH,  of  Mercer  County: 

Mr.  Charles  finsh.  of  Greenville,  Mercer  county,  Pa., 
writing  under  date  of  May  10,  1896,  says: 

"In  reply  to  your  circular  can  only  say  that  I  have  not  been 
in  the  fur  business  during  the  past  ten  years,  but  from  ten  to 
fifteen  years  previously,  I  handled  a  great  many  furs  in  this 
section  of  northwestern  Pennsylvania.  TTie  following  is  the 
list  and  about  the  number  handled:  red  foxes,  from  five  to  six 
hundred  (I  should  judge  perhaps  not  more  than  one-fourth  of 
the  number  handled  at  present);  gray  foxes,  from  200  to  300.  at 
present  one-fourth  the  number;  raccoons,  1,000.  at  present  one- 
half  the  number:  mink,  400  to  600.  at  present  one-half  the  num- 
ber; otter,  20  to  25  pelts,   they  are  scarce  and  rare  at  present; 

2i*-n 


330 

opossums,   200  to  300,   quite   plentiful  at   present;   skunks,   2,000, 
and  they  are  about  the  same  at  present. 

"The  above  figures  are,  to  the  best  of  my  recollection,  the 
number  of  furs  I  handled.  At  the  same  time  there  were  sev- 
eral others  buying  furs  through  this  section." 

MR.  LEWIS,  OF  JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 

Mr.  E.  C.  Lewis,  of  Reynoldsville,  -leffoison  county, 
states  that  the  numbei-  of  skins  he  annually  handk'S 
is  about  as  follows: 

"Twenty  beai's:  125  minks;  150  skunks;  25  red  foxes;  10  gray 
foxes;  200  raccoons;  250  muskrats;  S  otters;  15  wildcats." 

Mr.  Le\\is  also  adds  the  following  lines: 

"I  consider  foxes,  weasels,  wildcats  and  the  mink  detrimental 
to  both  farmers  and  sportsmen;  am  earnestly  in  favor  of  a 
bounty  on  these  last-named  animals.  I  have  seen  where  wild- 
cats killed  deer  from  one  to  two  years  old." 

MESSRS.  JORDAN  &  SON,  OF  LUZERNE  COUNTY. 

Messrs.  N,  P.  Jordan  «&  Son,  extensive  hatters  and 
furriers,  of  40  West  Market  street,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa., 
in  a  letter  of  April  21,  1896,  say: 

"In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  15th  inst.,  we  beg  to  state  that 
during  the  past  few  years  we  have  obtained  from,  hunters  and 
trappers,  in  this  region,  pelts  as  follows:  1  otter,  61  minks,  25 
red  foxes,  4  gray  foxes,  373  skunks,  29  'coons,  6  opossums.  4S6 
muskrats.  This  represents  a  very  small  portion  of  the  animals 
captured  in  this  vicinity,  as  a  large  majority  of  the  hunters 
send  the  pelts  direct  to  the  market  or  sell  them  to  representa- 
tives of  different  firms,  who  have  men  out  continually  during 
the  fur  season,  scouring  the  country  to  buy  up  raw  furs.  We 
have  no  record  of  our  purchases  during  previous  year,  but  the 
above  is  about  the  average  annually.  Our  books  show  about 
the  same  amount  each  year  for  several  years  in  the  purchase 
of  skins,  which,  of  course,  indicates  an  equal  number  of  pelts." 

MESSRS.    WEIL.    OF   CHESTER   COUNTY. 

The  Zoologist  is  indebted  to  Messrs.  Morris  and 
Moses  Weil,  fur  dealers  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  for  the 


331 

following  data  coDcerning  the  number  of  pelts  they 
handle  yearly,  and  which  they  buy  in  Chester  and 
neighboring  counties,  territory  wliich  embraces  many 
of  the  most  productive  and  valuable  farms  in  this 
Commonwealth : 

"There  are  from  300  to  500  persons  in  Chester  county  (which. 
by  the  way,  ranks  as  the  third  agricultural  county  in  the  United 
States)  whose  chief  occupation  is  trapping.  The  average  yearly 
catch  of  a  skillful  trapper  of  skunks  is  about  100,  but  some  in- 
dustrious and  skillful  trappers  secure  considerably  more  than 
this  number.  Except  along  the  Brandywine  and  its  large  tri- 
butaries few  muskrats  are  taken  in  Chester  county.  Exper- 
ienced 'rat'  trappers  along  the  historic  Brandywine  average 
about  100  'rats'  a  season.  One  individual  last  year  caught  be- 
tween 200  and  300.  We  obtain  about  200  minks  annually.  These 
animals  by  reason  of  their  aquatic  habits,  are  found  chiefly 
along  the  Brandywine  and  its  large  feeders,  and  they  also  fre- 
quent mill  dams,  where  stone  and  rubbish  are  plentiful.  We 
have  handled  annually  for  the  last  five  years  not  less  than 
5,000  skunks,  of  which  75  per  cent,  were  taken  in  Chester  county. 
Our  books  for  the  last  five  years  show  that  we  have  purchased 
on  an  average  each  year,  the  following  additional  fur-bearing 
animals:  8,000  muskrats,  2,000  opossums,  25  red  foxes,  500  rac- 
coons. We  never  got  a  gray  fox  in  Chester  county,  from  which, 
at  least,  three-fourths  of  all  the  pelts  we  obtain  come.  We  are 
the  largest  buyers  of  raw  furs  in  Chester  county,  and  in  our 
opinion  it  would  be  a  fair  estimate  to  say  we  buy  one-half  of 
the  skins  taken  in  this  region,  so  by  doubling  the  figures  given 
you  can  form  a  good  idea  of  the  number  of  fur-bearing  animals 
which  yearly  are  marketed  from  Chester  and  a  few  districts  ©f 
the  neighboring  counties." 


SKUNK. 

Mephitis  mephitiea. 

DESCRIPTION. 

A  heavily-built  animal,  about  the  size  of  the  house  cat,  al- 
though its  body  is  shorter  and  more  bulky;  weighs  about 
eight  pounds;  its  legs  are  short,  ears  low,  eyes  brown,  with' a 
long  bushy  tail.  Color  black  (some  examples  maroon  and 
white).  The  white  markings  vary  greatly  in  extent  and  de- 
tail; some  examples  of  the  genus  have  a  small  white  head 
spot  only,  but  the  common  pattern  has  narrow  white  frontal 
(head)  stripe,  a  broad  nuchal  (neck)  white  patch,  from  which 
diverge  on  either  side  of  back,  and  extend  to  or  near  the  two 
stripes  of  white.  The  tail  may  be  black,  but  oftener  it  is 
marked   with  white  especially  terminally. 

Habitat. — This  species,  including  its  varieties  or  subspecies, 
occurs  generally  throughout  temperate  North  America. 

This  familiar  animal  generally  hides  in  some  dark 
reti'eat  during-  the  daylight  although  o-ccasionally  on 
cloudy  days  he  is  seen  abroad  and  he  also  hunts  in  the 
twiliglit.  The  species  technically  known  as  mephitiea 
and  a  form  or  subspecies  called  the  Carolinian  Skunk, 
Mephitis  mephitiea  elongata  as  d(  fined  by  Mr.  Bangs, 
with  perhaps  other  subspecies,  are  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  many  thousands  of  these  animals  are  annually 
killed  for  the  fur  trade.  Indeed,  the  long  and  heavy 
cojtt  of  this  mammal  is  so  valuable  in  the  fur  markets 
that  Skunk  farms  are  conducted  on  an  extensive  and 
profitable  basis  in  New  York,  Ohio  and  other  states. 
The  Skunk,  in  diffe)( nt  shades  of  dresis,  which,  for  the 
l)urposes  of  this  article,  it  is  not  necessary  at  this  time 
to  dis(;uss,  is  one  of  the  common  mammals  of  our 
State. 

SOME  OF   ITS  COMMON   NAME'S. 

Many  persons  know  the  animal  by  the  name  of  Pole- 
cat, a  term  ap]>lied  to  a  small,  brownish-black,  ferret- 


333 

like  creature — a  member  of  the  Weasel  group — which 
inhabits  the  tern  iterate  zone  of  Europe  and  Asia.  The 
common  domesticated  Ferret,  so  frequently  employed 
to  hunt  Rabbits  and  Rats,  is,  it  is  believed,  a  descen- 
dant of  the  Polecat  of  the  Old  World.  Some  furriers 
sell  Skunks — those  lacking  the  white  stripes  on  backs 
— under  the  name  "Alaska  Sable,"  and  many  ladies 
wear  tliese  pelts  and  never  know  they  once  covered 
the  backs  of  vile-smelling  and  insect-devouring  ani- 
mals of  the  genus  Mephitis. 

SOME    OF   ITS    ENEMIES. 

This  well-known  quadruped,  it  matters  but  little 
whetlier  called  Canadijin  Skunk,  Carolinian  Skunk, 
Polecat  or  "Alaska  Sable,"  has  numerous  enemies  to 
contend  with,  notwithstanding  the  wise  provisio-n 
nature  has  made  to  enable  it  to  prevent  their  near  and 
dangerous  approach.  The  Skunk  has  great  confidence 
in  its  battery  and  is  often  enabled,  when  acting  on  the 
defensive,  or,  if  aroused  by  either  anger  or  fright,  to 
protect  its  life  from  preying  animals,  by  discharging 
from  the  anal  glands  a  yellowish  fluid  of  most  pene- 
trating and  .sickening  odor.  This,  however,  is  not 
always  the  case,  and  the  slow-moving  Skunk  often  be- 
comes a  victim  of  its  own  temerity  inspired,  doubtless, 
by  too  much  coiifidenr-o  in  the  repelling  powers  of  the 
contents  of  its  perfume  reservoirs. 

Among  carnivorous  mammals,  the  Wildcat,  Red 
Fox,  Mink  and  Weasel  will  attack  and  kill  Skunks. 
Large  Hawks,  particularly  the  Red-tailed  species  and 
the  powerful  Goshawk,  also  capture  them.  The  Snowy 
Owl,  when  pressed  by  hunger,  will,  it  is  stated,  some 
times  make  a  meal  on  a  Skunk  which  happens  to  cross 
its  path;    and    the  Great  Horned  Owl   often   attacks 


3:54 

iSkuuks.  Oil  Iwo  oecasioiis  1  have  known  that  re- 
mains of  recently  killed  Skunks  were  discovered  in 
nests  occupied  by  Great  Horned  Owls;  and  at  different 
times  I  have  secured  owls  of  this  species  which  were 
so  strongly  scented  with  odor  that  there  was  no  room 
to  question  wbat  they  had  been  feeding  upon  or  med- 
dling with.  Mr.  Thomas  H.  Jackson,  of  West  Chester, 
Pa.,  writing  in  the  "Ornithologist  and  Oologist,"  June, 
1886,  says: 

"Great  Horned  Owls  are  liberal  providers  for  their  young. 
T  have  frequently  found  full  grown  Rabbits  lying  in  the  nest 
beside  the  young,  and  scarcely  a  nest  visited  did  not  have  a 
strong  odor  of  Skunk,  while  bones  and  feathers  were  scattered 
around  attesting  to  the  predaceous  habits  of  the  proprietors." 

Chief  among  all  the  enemies  which  the  pc'or  and 
well-disposed  Mephitis  has  to  guard  against  is  man, 
who  should  often  protect  rather  than  persecute  this 
animal. 

THEiY    DO   MUCH   GOOD. 

Of  all  our  mammals  this  species  is  probably  the  most 
valuable  to  the  farmer  and  fruit  grower.  The  insect 
eating  habits  of  this  nocturnal  prowler  are  so  gener- 
ally known  to  the  fai'mors  of  the  hop-growing  districts 
of  the  Empire  State  that  local  laws  have  been  enacted 
for  the  protection  of  the  much  abused  and  persecuted 
Skunks,  which  Dr.  C.  H.  Merriam  verj'  truly  says,  is 

"Pre-eminently  an  insect  eater;  he  destroys  more  beetles, 
grasshoppers  and  the  like  than  all  our  other  mammals  together, 
and  in  addition  to  these  devours  vast   numbers  of  mice." 

From  numerous  repoits  received  at  the  Department 
of  Agriculture  from  farmers,  poulterers  and  sports- 
men in  Pennsylvania  it  is  quite  evident  that  the  odorif- 
erous Skunk  is  not  regarded  with  much  favor;  in  fact, 


335 

but  a  small  niimber  of  our  correspondenls  appear  to 
know  that  111'  possesses  anv  especial  inclination  to  eat 
insects  and  destructive  larvae.  Tlie  general  impres- 
sion seems  to  be  that  this  animal  reaches  the  acme  of 
bliss  when  he  can  gain  an  entrance  to  a  hen  coop  and 
devour  chickens  or  suck  eggs;  and  it  matters  but  little 
liow  old  the  latter  mny  be. 

SPORTSMEN    GENERALLY    DESPISR    SKTTNKS. 

A  number  of  sportmen  who  spend  considerable  time 
,  every  year  in  the  woods  and  fields  give  the  Skunk  a 
record  blacker  than  the  pelt  of  the  most  marketable 
Foleciit. 

Witli  few  exceptions  the  testimony  from  sportsmen 
is  that  the  main  thing  the  Skunk  lives  for  in  this  region 
is  to  devour  the  eggs  of  Grouse,  Quail  and  other  birds 
which  nest  on  or  close  to  the  ground.  Such  opinions 
concerning  the  Skunk  are  wrong,  yet  they  are,  unfor- 
tunately, quite  generally  entertained  by  a  large  class 
of  our  citizens  who  become  unju.stly  prejudiced  against 
this  useful  mammal  and  destroy  him  and  his  family, 
when  in  reality  these  animals  are  of  great  benefit  on 
the  farm  wlieie  detrimental  insects  and  sleek-coated 
rodents  aie  almost  continually  at  work  preying  on  the 
crops. 

DR.    MERRTAMS    ilBSERVATIONS. 

Conceriiiug  the  food  liabits  of  the  Skunk,  Dr.  <.\ 
Hart  Merriam,  of  Washington,  D.  C.  a  gentleman  who 
is  nnivereally  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  eminent  and 
reliable  economic  zoologists  in  America,  says: 

"He  preys  upon  mice,  salamanders,  frogs,  and  the  eggs  of 
birds  that  nest  on  or  within  reach  from  the  ground. 

"At  times  he  eats  carrion,  and  if  he  chances  to  stumble  upon 
a  hen's  nest  the  eggs  are  liable  to  suffer;  and  once  in  a  while 


he  acquires  the  evil  habits  of  robbing  the  hen-roost.  Still,  as  a 
rule,  Skunks  are  not  addicted  to  this  vice,  and  it  is  with  them 
very  much  as  it  is  with  dogs  and  cats;  for  every  now  and  then 
a  dog  will  get  into  the  habit  of  killing  sheep,  and  a  cat  of  kill- 
ing chickens  and  sucking  eggs,  and  yet  we  do  not  wage  a  war- 
fare of  extermination  against  them,  collectively,  on  account 
of  the  sins  of  a  few  of  their  number. 

"He  is  of  the  greatest  practical  value  to  the  hop-grower, 
for  he  frequents  the  hop-yard  with  great  regularity,  and  greed- 
ily devours  the  insect  pests  that,  from  their  numbers  and  de- 
structiveness,   always   injure,   and   sometimes  ruin   the  crop.    * 

*  *  Indeed,  the  benefit  that  accrues  to  the  farmer  from  the 
occupancy  of  his  premises  by  a  family  of  these  useful  animals 
can  hardly  be  over-estimated.  They  are  large  eaters  and  sub- 
sist almost  exclusively  upon  his  greatest  enemies,  mice  and  in- 
sects. 

"Of  the  truth  of  this  assertion  he  may  easily  convince  him- 
self by  merely  taking  the  trouble  to  examine  any  bit  of  'Skunk 
Sign'  that  he  happens  to  come  across;  for  in  the  summer  sea- 
son, their  dejections  consist  wholly  of  the  indigestible  chit<^nous 
coverings    of   beetles,    grasshoppers    and   other   insects.*" 

These  statements  from  the  fac-ile  pen  of  the  genial 
and  able  Merriam,  togetlier  with  such  information  as 
any  one  can  readily  gain  by  devoting  a  little  study  to 
the  Skunk  in  his  native  haunts  should  cause  the 
thoughtful  farmer's  boy  to  hesitate  before  destroy- 
ing every  Skunk  and  its  family  which  he  may  cora<> 
across. 

SOMETIMES    DISTRESSES    OTHER    NIGHT    TRAVELERS. 

Of  course  we  know  it's  very  trying  on  a  "fellow's 
f  el  ins"'  when  he  goes  out,  "as  the  shades  of  night  are 
falling,"  in  a  nice  clean  buggy  drawn  by  a  well  ke]>t 
trotter,  to  run  over  a  clumsy  pro-wling  Skunk  when  he 
is  hurrying  to  sei'  his  best  girl;  but  always  bear  in 
mind  it  might  have  been  much  worse  if  that  best  girl 

♦The  vertebrates  of  the  Adirondack  region.  N.  E.  New  York, 
Dec.  1883. 


337 

had  been  with  30U.  Yet,  under  such  circumstances, 
the  Skunk  should  not  be  too  severely  censured;  the 
chances  are  he  would  suffer  more  from  the  unexpected 
meeting  than  you. 

Remember,  also,  tlie  Skunk  tiibe  should  not  be  per- 
secuted because  you  may  on  one  occasion  have  been 
unfortunate  enough  to  have  gotten  a  good  supply  of 
perfume  when  "a  wooing  yc-u  would  go." 

INTERESTING  AND  VALUABLE  CONTRIBUTIONS. 

The  information  on  succeeding  pages  of  this  paper 
under  the  caption,  '^What  Farmers,  Poulterers  and 
Sportsmen  Say  About  Sl;unks,"  is  both  interesting 
and  instructive,  although  it  shows  a  wide  difference 
of  opinion  as  to  the  go-od  or  evil  which  these  mam- 
mals do. 

While  it  is  true  that  many  of  these  contributors, 
who  have  kindly  taken  the  trouble  to  send  their  views 
on  the  food-habits  of  Skunks,  condemn  them,  it  is  a 
fact  wO'rthy  of  note,  in  this  connection,  to  observe  that 
no  one  of  these  correspondents  who  has  examined  the 
stomachs  of  any  considerable  number  of  Skunks  is 
found  denouncing  them.  According  to  my  experience 
Skunks,  either  alive  or  dead,  are  very  disagreeable  to 
handle,  and  to  this  fact,  no  doubt,  must  be  largely 
attributed  the  censure  so  many  persons  heap  on  them. 
Furthermore,  Skunks  are  most  active  in  the  night 
time  and  the  many  good  deeds  they  do  about  the  farm- 
er's possessions  are  not  nearly  so  easily  seen  as  are  the 
results  of  their  occasional  predatory  visits  when  they 
kill  chickens  or  suck  eggs. 

THE  SNEAKING  CAT  AND  CUNNING  RAT. 

T  am  a  lover  of  bii'ds — game,  song,  insectivoious.  and 
raptorial  kinds — and  with  the  exception  of  a  few,  en 
22-11 


Has 

deavui',  in  luv  ieeblc  way,  to  piutect  these  beautiful 
creatures  wliieli  a  tlioughlful  Maker  placed  oii  earth 
to  assist  mankind.  I  certainly  would  liave  a  much 
higher  regard  for  Skunks  if  they  evinced  less  industry 
in  seeking  the  eggs  and  young  of  ground-nesting  feath- 
ered tenants  of  the  fields,  clearings  and  forests,  when 
they  go  in  search  of  May  beetles,  larvae.  Mice  and 
other  enemies  of  agriculture.  However,  I  am  inclined 
to  the  opinion  that  Skunks  are  often  blamed  for  rob- 
bingneststhat  have  been  visited  by  other  pilfering  ani- 
mals. 

The  common  house  cat — concerning  which  Dr.  A.  K. 
Fisiher  truly  says: 

"That  gigantic  *  *  *  fraud,  is  petted  and  fed  and  given 
a  secure  shelter  from  which  it  may  emerge  in  the  evening  to 
spread  destruction  among  the  feathered   tribe" — 

does  a  great  deal  of  mischief  in  the  poultry  yard  and 
devours  all  the  wild  birds,  both  old  and  young,  it  can 
catcli.  It  'ih  a  sly  robber  and  frequently  its  depreda- 
tions are  charged  to  other  animals. 

Rats,  likewise,  are  cunning  and  vexatious  pests,  and 
their  deeds  of  rapine  are  often  unjustly  placed  to  the 
discredit  of  Skunks,  Hawks,  Owls,  AYeasels,  etc. 

THEY  CATCH   BENEFICIAL  INSECTS. 

It  is  unquestionably  '.rue,  as  intimated  by  my  friend 
Dr.  Thornton  (see  page  359),  that  Skunks  consume  bene- 
ficial insects,  particularly  predaceous  ground  beetles 
which,  with  their  larvae,  catch  Army  Wonns,  Cut- 
Worms,  etc.,  yet  the  painstaking  investigations  of 
economic  entomologists  and  mammalogists,  prove  be- 
yond all  doubt  that  the  noxious  forms  of  insect  pests 
which  they  feed  upon  are  the  ones  which  in  the  great 


majority  of  eases  so  often   distend   the  stomachs  of 
Skunks  they  dissect. 

THESE  FARMERS  DEFEND  SKUNKS. 

The  very  insductiA^e  i)aragi'ai>hs  (see  page  344)  from 
the  pen  of  Hon.  F.  N.  Moore,  a  loyal  friend,  and  one 
of  the  best  and  most  successful  advocates  of  the  agri- 
cultural interests  that  ever  represented  Bradford 
county  in  the  Pennsylvania  Legislature,  explains  in 
a  very  succinct  manner  the  good  habits  of  Skunks. 
The  terse  communication  from  Mr.  Moore's  pen  shows 
that  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  of  his  locality  have, 
by  a  little  careful  observation,  learned  the  great  worth 
of  these  animals  which  are  of  so  much  service  in  pro- 
tecting their  potato  and  corn  crops  from  ''white  grubs" 
that  in  recent  years  have  been  doing  a  great  amount 
of  damage  in  many  parts  of  this  Commonwealth. 

SKUNK  FARMING. 

This  industry,  when  properly  conducted,  is  said  to 
be  a  very  profitable  business.  The  writer  is  unable 
either  from  personal  observation  or  practical  exper- 
ience to  give  any  information  on  this  matter.  In  view 
of  the  fact  that  a  number  of  requests  have  come  to 
this  oflfice  from  farmers  and  others  who  desired  to 
learn  some  facts  about  Skunk  farming,  the  following 
extracts  are  made  fiom  an  interesting  paper  written 
by  Mr.  Arthur  D.  Warner,  and  published  in  the  "Rural 
New  Yorker,"  Feb.  13,  1892: 

"One  of  the  pioneers  in  the  Skunlc-breeding  industry  is  Mr. 
Henry  Gurnsey,  of  Lima,  N.  Y.  Mr  Gurnsey  has  been  for  a 
number  of  years  a  dealer  in  Skunk  and  other  furs,  and  about 
six  years  ago  determined  to  attempt  the  breeding  of  Skunks 
in  confinement.  He  first  inclosed  a  portion  of  his  backyard  by 
a  tight  board  fence,  and  sank  planks  in  the  ground  below  the 


fence.  Then  he  trapped  or  bought  a  few  pairs  of  Skunks,  and 
placed  them  in  the  inclosure.  The  experiment  was  a  success 
from  the  first.  The  Skunks  increased  so  rapidly  as  to  become 
at  length  somewhat  of  a  nuisance  within  the  corporate  limits 
of  a  village,  and  Mr.  Gurnsey  decided  to  remove  them  to  some 
point  in  the  country  where  he  could  engage  in  Skunk  farming 
on  a  scale  worthy  of  the  name.  He  found  a  suitable  location 
about  three  miles  east  of  Lima  village,  and  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Mr.  W.  Shaddack,  who  owns  a  part  of  the  land  now 
occupied  by  the  farm  and  who  assists  in  caring  for  the  ani- 
mals. 

THE   FARM. 

"About  five  acres  were  inclosed.  A  trench  was  dug  in  line 
with  the  proposed  fence,  and  planks  were  sunk  in  it  a  depth 
of  two  feet;  then  it  was  filled  in  on  both  sides  of  the  fence  with 
small  stones,  which  were  covered  with  earth.  The  part  of  the 
fence  above  ground  is  tight  and  four  feet  high.  On  a  recent 
visit  to  this  farm  a  faint  but  characteristic  odor  warned  us  of 
the  proximity  of  the  "ranch."  On  arriving,  it  became  evident 
at  once  that  a  steep  sidehill,  underlaid  by  a  tenacious  clay 
subsoil  and  which  would  be  worthless  for  other  purposes,  is  the 
proper  thing  for  Skunk  breeding.  It  is  only  on  steep  land  that 
the  burrows  can  be  made  with  ease,  and  all  of  them  have  good 
drainage.  The  hill  rises  to  a  height  of  perhaps  150  feet  above 
the  road  which  runs  along  the  base. 

"The  face  of  this  incline  is  honeycombed  all  over  its  surface 
by  hundreds  of  Skunks'  "nests,"  but  during  the  greater  part 
of  the  day  a  casual  passer-by  will  see  little  of  interest  within 
the  inclosure  at  any  season.  Only  occasionally  will  a  Skunk, 
driven  out  by  hunger,  make  its  way  to  a  portion  of  some 
freshly  slaughtered  animal  that  has  been  placed  there  for 
food.  But  about  six  P.  M.  on  summer  days,  and  somewhat 
earlier  in  the  spring  and  fall,  the  colony  begins  to  show  signs  of 
activity,  black  heads  appear,  then  bodies  emerge  and  make 
their  way  down  zig-zag  paths  of  their  own  making  toward  the 
point  where  food  is  placed;  from  this  time  on  during  a  consid- 
erable portion  of  the  night  the  hillside  may  be  said  to  be 
literally  alive   with   Skunks. 

THEIR    FOOD. 

"The  question  of  obtaining  food  for  them  is  the  all-absorbing 
one  with  the  proprietors  of  the  ranch.  During  the  Woodchuck 
season    they   are   out   day   after  day   scouring   the   country   for 


341 

these  animals,  and  other  hunters  are  also  kept  busy.  But 
Woodchuck,  'coons  and  other  small  game  are  not  found  in 
sufficient  numbers,  and  a  large  supply  of  meat  is  obtained  in 
the  shape  of  domestic  animals  which  have  outlived  their  period 
of  usefulness,  or  have  met  an  untim,ely  death.  The  wants  of 
the  Skunk  breeders  are  pretty  well  known  all  through  this  sec- 
tion of  county,  and  they  are  often  summoned  by  telephone, 
letter  or  verbally  to  go  and  relieve  a  man  of  a  decrepit  horse,  a 
dead  cow,  or  abandoned  sheep.  When  the  supply  of  meat  be- 
comes too  great  for  immediate  use,  it  is  cut  from  the  carcasses 
and  salted  down  in  barrels  in  the  cellar  of  one  of  the  buildings 
which  are  attached  to  the  ranch.  Later  on  this  meat  is  taken 
up  and  boiled  in  a  large  cauldron,  meal  is  added,  and  the  mix- 
ture as  well  as  water  fo-r  drinking,  is  placed  in  a  series  of 
troughs  along  the  base  of  the  hill.  As  Skunks  become  semi- 
dormant,  they  consume  but  little  food  during  the  coldest  parts 
of  winter.  In  spring  and  fall,  carcasses  are  left  out  for  several 
days  until  consumed.  As  this  can  not  be  done  in  hot  weather, 
the  cooked  ration  is  fed  largely.  The  Skunks  breed  in  early 
spring,  eight  or  ten  making  a  litter.  By  fall  the  young  ones 
are  full-grown,  and  cannot  be  told  from  the  old.  Overfeeding 
must  be  guarded  against,  as  it  reduces  the  size  of  the  litter. 

THEIR   NESTS. 

"Recently  I  visited  the  farm  during  the  annual  killing,  which 
begins  about  December  1.  Six  or  eight  men  were  at  work  on 
the  steep  hillside  digging  out  the  Skunks,  which  are  placed  in 
sacks,  held  by  helpers.  These  holes  or  nests  are  made  by  the 
proprietors  with  spade  and  shovel,  by  digging  downward  into 
the  bank  for  three  or  four  feet.  As  it  is  hard  to  dig  under  it 
without  causing  it  to  cave,  an  earth  roof  is  not  generally  made; 
instead,  the  large  cavity  is  nearly  covered  with  rails  and  boards, 
and  dirt  is  thown  over. 

"Skunks  burrow  but  little,  and  in  a  wild  state  appropriate  the 
holes  of  Woodchucks  and  other  burrowing  animals.  New 
holes  are  made  as  fast  as  the  colony  seems  to  require  them. 
There  is  no  regularity  as  to  the  number  inhabiting  a  hole;  not 
less  than  two  or  three  were  found,  but  in  some  cases  fifteen 
or  twenty  had  crowded  together  in  one  hole. 

IN   SLAUGHTERING   SEASON. 

"The  males  also  were  found  collected  in  one  portion  of  the 
grounds.  At  the  "Skunk  harvest"  the  roofs  are  thrown  off 
the   holes,    and    a   little   digging   brings  out   all   that    are   inside. 


342 

When  a  bag  Is  filled,  the  man  throws  It  over  his  shoulder  and 
carries  it  down  to  the  skinning-  room.  Here  the  animals  are 
sorted.  The  best  marked  are  saved  for  breeding,  one  in  ten 
being  a  male.  They  will  be  kept  in  the  building  until  all  have 
been  dug  out,  when  they  are  turned  into  the  inclosure.  Those 
to  be  killed  are  taken  outside  and  dispatched  by  a  blow  on 
the  head,  and  skinned  as  soon  as  dead.  Only  rarely  do  they 
throw  scent  at  this  operation.  The  skins  are  hung  up  to  dry 
with  the  flesh  side  out.  The  building  contained  many  Fox, 
'Coon  and  Muskrat  skins,  besides  hundreds  of  Skunk  pelts.  The 
output  of  the  ranch  will  be  about  800  skins  this  year,  as  many  . 
live  Skunks  will  be  kept  for  the  next  year's  breeding.  Before 
the  carcasses  are  removed  after  skinning,  the  fat  is  cut  off 
and  tried  into  oil.  Good  black  skins  are  worth  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  $1.50  each." 


WHAT  FARMERS,  POULTERERS    AND   SPORTS- 
MEN SAY  ABOUT  SKUNKS. 

ADAMS  COUNTY. 

DR.  C.  E.  GOLDS'BOROLTGH,  Hunterstown: 

Polecats  are  an  abomination;  they  kill  chickens,  rob  hens'  and 
birds'  nests,  bee  nests;  but  they  are  supposed  also  to  destroy 
much  vermin.  We  have  Skunks  or  Polecats  very  common. 
Woodchucks  or  Groundhogs  rare  in  lowlands,  tolerably  common 
in  highlands.  Rabbit  or  Cottontail  numerous  everywhere. 
Wildcats  common  in  the  mcixntains  of  the  county;  field  or 
meadow  mice  very  common;  Minks,  Moles  and  Weasels  com- 
mon, Foxes  common,  Muskrats  very  common;  Squirrels,  Rac- 
coon and  Opossum  common. 

ALLEGHENY  COUNTY. 

JOHN  NELSON,  Talley  Cavey: 

They  will  not  let  us  get  an  egg  if  they  can  have  thoir  way; 
have  caught  them   in  the  act  of  stealing  eggs  of  fowls. 

ARMSTRONG  COUNTY. 

Dr.   L.   B.   9CHNATTERLY,   Freeport: 

They  are  a  great  enemy  to  the  farmers'  poultry  and  very  de- 
structive   to    nests    of    Partridge    (Quail)    and    Pheasant.     Mr. 


343 

James  Harbison  tells  me  that  he  caught  a  Polecat  destroying 
a  nest  of  eggs  of  Quail  that  was  just  ready  to  hatch  out.  The 
Groundhog  will  do  the  same. 

BRAUFOKD  COUNTY. 

E.  M.  ANGLE,  Potterville: 

Skunks  are  destructive  to  Rabbits,  Pheasants  and  Quail.  I 
have  known  them,  with  the  Red  Fox,  to  be  the  most  destructive 
to  the  above-mentioned  game.  Proof — localities  where  the 
Skunk  and  Fox  are  nearly  extinct  you  will  find  said  game  in 
plenty  and  vice  versa.  They  are  also  injurious  to  the  farmer's 
fields;  in  the  absence  of  game,  poultry,  etc.,  they  will  take  to 
the  meadows  and  pastures  and  if  the  land  be  sidehill  or  slop- 
ing will  commence  at  the  lower  side  and  turn  over  every 
movable  stone  that  is  not  too  large  for  their  strength,  in  search 
of  ants,  tumble-bugs,  eggs  and  crickets,  and  some  certain  grubs 
and  worms.  This,  some  may  say,  is  beneficial;  if  so.  the  damage 
done  is  so  much  greater  than  the  little  good,  that  the  good  sinks 
into  insignificance.  I  had  a  meadow  of  about  three  acres 
sloping  to  the  northeast  about  two  years)  ago,  well  seeded  to 
timothy  and  clover,  and  when  mowed  of  a  splendid  stand;  di- 
rectly after  mowing  they  commenced  in  the  aforesaid  way 
at  the  bottom  and  turned  the  stones  over  a  few  rods  of  ground 
every  night  (for  like  all  evil  doers  they  work  at  night)  until 
they  reached  the  top;  by  that  time  there  had  accumulated  the 
same  food  under  the  stones  again  and  they  would  overturn 
every  stone,  placing  the  stone  on  new  grass  after  having  left 
it  just  long  enough  to  kill  the  graFS  where  it  lay,  the  sun.  wind, 
and  covering  having  destroyed  the  grass  until  the  field  was 
ruined  until  taken  up  and  newly  seeded.  Having  witnessed  the 
aforesaid  charges  against  this  animal  I  have  no  hesitation  in 
saying  they  are  one  of  the  farmer's  foes.  Yes,  sir,  they  are 
worse  than  a  mortgage  on  your  farm  drawing  compound  inter- 
est, for  they  increase  faster  and  in  a  greater  ratio,  and  I  am 
in  favor  of  a  light  bounty,  say.  with  the  present  price  of  furs, 
twenty-five  cents  per  head,  but  please  don't  give  a  larger  one 
to  the  justice  unless  the  law  be  so  amended  that  the  said  jus- 
tice of  the  peace  must  skin  the^m. 

I  consider  the  Skunk  very  injurious  for  the  following  reasons: 
In  localities  where  farmers  do  not  have  good  protection  for 
their  poultry  they  will  destroy  both  old  and  young  that  roost 
low  enough  for  Fhem  to  reach.  They  are  cunning  fellows  and 
show   great    wisdom.    If   a   young   turkey    or   guinea    fowl    are 


344 

apt  to  wander  to  a  distance  that  they  may  hide  their  nesting 
place,  the  Skunli,  keen  of  scent,  soon  locates  the  nest  and  eats 
the  eggs;  should  the  birds  be  lucky  enough  to  lay  their  quota 
and  commence  setting,  of  course,  the  odor  is  still  stronger  and 
the  Skunks  can  scent  at  a  greater  distance;  they  will  drive  off 
the  birds  and  eat  the  eggs,  being  careful  to  save  the  birds 
that  they  may  keep  them  supplied  with  such  toothsome  food 
and  will  not  kill  "the  goose  that  lays  the  golden  egg,"  until 
they  see  they  are  not  likely  to  get  any  more  or  are  driven  by 
excessive  hunger  to  attack  the  mother  bird.  This  same  being 
true  should  they  come  upon  the  mother  bird  while  with  their 
young  they  will  destroy  the  young  by  piecemeal  as  they  will 
have  need,  not  like  the  Mink  or  Weasel,  destroy  for  the  blood 
and  leave  several  dead  in  a  pile. 

HON.   F.   N.   MOORE.   North   Orwell: 

Skunks  are  quite  plentiful  in  my  locality,  but  twenty  years 
ago  they  were  much  more  numerous,  and  at  that  time  we  did 
not  experience  the  great  losses  we  now  sustain  in  our  mead- 
ows through  the  ravages  of  white  grubs  which  are  the  larvae 
of  the  May  beetle  or  tumble-bug.  In  this  region  we  grow  po- 
tatoes extensively  for  the  eastern  markets  and  experience  ma- 
terial losses  to  the  potato  crops  as  well  as  to  corn  by  reason 
of  the  white  grub  eating  them.  These  inroads  made  by  the 
white  grub  became  of  such  a  serious  character  that  it  brought 
out  discussion  among  our  farmers  at  local  grange  meetings, 
when  it  was  learned  that  the  potato  and  corn  fields,  most  ad- 
jacent to  sections  where  Skunks  harbored,  were  least  damaged 
by  these  larvae.  Observation  proved  that  the  Skunks,  to  get 
the  grubs,  dug  small  round  holes  in  the  hills  and  rows  of  the 
potatoes.  The  testimony  of  our  observing  and  intelligent  farm- 
ers is  that  the  Skunk  is  the  greatest  enemy  to  these  noxious 
pests,  for  he  not  only  seeks  them  in  the  plowed  ground,  but 
will  dig  for  them  in  the  meadow  and  pasture  lands. 

Skunks,  as  is  well-known  to  every  one,  will  turn  over  flat 
stones,  pieces  of  wood,  etc.,  which  serve  as  harboring  places 
for  crickets,  ants,  grasshoppers,  army  worms,  may  beetles  and 
other  forms  of  insect  life  which  subsist  on  the  farmer's  crops. 
While  it  is  true  the  Skunk  occasionally  wilT visit  the  hen  roost 
or  get  under  the  barn  to  the  dismay  of  the  farmer's  dog,  and 
the  disgust  of  the  farmer's  boy,  yet  the  damage  which  he  does 
in  the  poultry  yard  is  light  when  compared  with  his  beneficent 
services,  rendered  in  destroying  insects,  mice  and  other  ver- 
min  which   attack   the   farmer's  crops   by  day   and    night.     The 


:U") 

Skunk  is  the  mosl  prufltable  source  of  revenue  of  any  of  the 
fur-bearing  animals  captured  by  the  juvenile  trappers  and 
hunters  in  our  section.  Many  a  .boy  is  made  happy'  with  a  new 
pair  of  skates,  and  a  cheap  shotgun,  secured  by  barter  at  the 
country  store  in  exchange  for  pelts  of  this  highly  perfumed 
animal. 

My  observation  as  a  practical  farmer  is  that  these  animals 
are  certainly  friends,  not  enemies  of  agriculture,  arvd  that  the 
indiscriminate  slaughter  of  them  or  a  bounty  which  will  en- 
courage their  extermination  would  be  prejudicial  to  the  farm- 
ing interest. 

J.  S.  GAY,  Terry  town: 

Skunks  are  very  injurious;  they  are  very  plentiful  and  will 
catch  all  the  chickens   that  they  can   find;  also  suck  eggs. 

W.  R.  PARK,  Athens: 

Injurious;  destroy  eggs,  game  and  eggs  of  game  birds.  Being 
a  sportsman  I  desire  to  protect  game  and  favor  the  killing  of 
Skunks. 

BUTLER  COUNTY. 

JOHN  F.   WEAKLY,  Slippery  Rock: 

I  think  Skunks  are  a  benefit  as  they  live  almost  entirely  on 
bugs  and   worms. 

CARBON  COUNTY. 

M.   E.   KDMERBR,  Weissport: 
Skunks  kill   chickens  and  other  kinds  of  poultry. 

CENTRE  COUNTY. 

T.  H.   HARTER,  Bellefonte: 

I  think  the  Polecat  is  the  most  destructive  to  our  game  as 
it  does  its  work  at  night  and  catches  the  birds  while  hatching. 
In  my  opinion  Skunks  are  injurious  because  they  feed  upon 
game  when  they  can  get  it.  I  consider  them  next  to  the  Hawk 
in  destructivenesp  to  game. 


:un 


CAM]iKIA  COUNTY. 

MR.   PIERSON,  Dysart: 

Skunks  eat  eggs  of  the  ground  birds  (the  kind  that  are  bene- 
ficial to  the  farmer,  such  as  Thrush.  Catbird  and  native  Spar- 
row). They  have  killed  a  great  amount  of  chickens  around 
here;  have  lost  some  myself  and  set  trars  and  caught  them 
in   my  hen  house.     They  are  injurious. 

JOHN  F.  THOMAS,  Carrolltown: 

While  the  Skunk  devours  many  insects  and  other  vermin,  it 
is  obnoxious  to  the  farmer  and  sportsman.  They  are  invaria- 
bly abroad  on  wet  nights,  when  they  may  be  found  prowling 
about  the  barn  or  hen  coop,  and  iiave  even  been  killed  in  cel- 
lars of  inhabited  houses.  Their  methods  of  procuring  insects 
manifests  much  cunning.  I  have  seen  them  go  about  a  field  in 
the  evening  overturning  all  small  flat  stones  in  their  way,  and 
quickly  gather  up  all  the  surprised  bugs  and  beetles.  It  is  un- 
suspecting and  may  be  taken  with  a  steel  trap  very  easily. 

CHESTER  COUNTY. 

THOS.    B.    DARLIlvrGTON,    West   Chester: 

The  Skunk  or  Polecat  is  a  frequent  visitor  to  the  poultry 
yard,  for  poultry  or  eggs,  or  both,  and  breaking  up  setting  hens. 

A.   SHARPLESS,   West  Chester: 

The  Skunk  has  been  pretty  plentiful  here  in  years  past.  I 
think  it  is  more  beneficial  to  the  farmer  than  otherwise.  True, 
old  ones  sometimes  destroy  young  chickens  when  exposed  at 
night,  but  their  food  seems  princip.ally  to  be  noxious  insects;  T 
long  since  forbid  their  destruction  on  my  farm.  There  will  be  no 
danger  here  of  any  surplus  of  these  animals,  as  the  value 
of  their  pelts  is  such  that  trappers  will  keep  their  num'bers 
down. 

HARRY  WILSON,  Gum  Tree: 

In  my  opinion  are  one  of  the  most  beneficial  animals;  their 
principal  food  as  shown  by  their  stomachs  and  excretions  are 
insects,  such  as  beetles  and  grasshoppers.  I  had  an  illustration 
of  their  food  habits  shown  to  me  a  couple  of  years  since.  I 
had  been  hunting  Groundhogs  one  summer  evening  and  re- 
turning through  a  clover  field  near  a  woods  T  saw  a  small  black 


;u7 

animal  moving  about  in  the  grass  near  my  intended  patli.  I 
soon  found  on  nearer  approach  it  was  a  lialf-grovvn  Skunk; 
so  coming  to  a  stand  I  watched  its  methods  of  getting  a  liveli- 
hood; it  wandered  first  one.  way  and  then  another  until  it 
came  within  a  few  feet  of  me  standing  quite  still;  it  never  took 
the  least  notice  of  me.  It  was  searching  for  grasshoppers  as 
was  evident  from  its  actions.  Walking  with  its  short  steps  it 
made  a  sort  of  stiff,  wrigglelike  progress;  when  it  came  across 
a  grasshopper,  stiffened  by  cold  and  dew  after  night-fall,  which 
would  hop  but  two  or  three  inches,  it  gave  a  short  spring 
placing  both  paws  on  the  "hopper  which  it  proceeded  to  eat  at 
leisure.  I  watched  this  Skunk  until  too  dark  to  see  its  opera- 
lions  any  longer  and  his  method  of  capturing  was  always  the 
same — catching  the  insect  with  his  paws  first.  When  a  Skunk 
however,  acquires  a  taste  for  hen  eggs  and  young  chickens, 
death  alone,  I  believe,  will  stop  his  ravages  in  the  poultry  yard, 
and  I  have  had  annoyance  given  me  by  them;  but  the  death  is 
easily  affected;  an  egg  containing  strychnine  proves  very  tempt- 
ing and  he  commits  suicide.  I  believe  that  could  the  Polecat  be 
educated  to  abandon  the  habit  of  using  perfumery  and  eating 
a  chance  chicken  (which  might  afterwards  die  of  gapes)  which 
might  come  in  his  way,  he  would  become  a  highly  beneficial 
and  useful  animal  to  mankind. 

DR.  WALTER  VAN  FLEET,  West  Grove: 
Skunks  beneficial;  stomach  usually  filled  with  insects. 

CLEARFIELD  COUNTY. 

J.   BLAIR  READ,  Clearfield: 
Injurious.     Destroying  poultry. 

JAMBS  THOMAS,   Curwensville: 

I  had  forty  young  and  an  old  turkey  killed  in  three  succes- 
sive nights  by  a  Skunk.  I  trapped  it  and  it  was  not  a  very 
large  one  either. 

ABRAHAM  NEVELING,  Coalport: 
Skunks  are  injurious;  they  destroy  poultry  and  eggs. 

E.  GARD  EDWARDS,  Ramey: 

Skunks  are  more  injurious  than  otherwise  on  account  of  deji- 
redations  on  poultry. 


348 

W.   J.   STULL,    Coalport: 
Skunks   injurious;   destuctive  to  poultry. 

EiNOS  BLOOM,  New  Millport: 

The  Skunk  or  Polecat  is  very  common  and  very  destructive 
to  poultry  and  eggs.  They  are  so  bold  that  they  will  enter  a 
poultry  house  or  anywhere  else  that  they  can,  in  broad  day 
light.  They  are  very  destructive  to  Pheasants  and  Partridges, 
eating  both  eggs  and  young. 

CLINTON  COUNTY. 

L.  M.  CASTETTER,  Green  Burr: 

Some  people  think  Skunks  harmless,  but  they  are  the  most 
destructive  animals  to  birds  that  build  their  nests  on  the 
ground,  such  as  the  Lark,  Quail  and  Pheasant,  as  they  are 
fond  of  such  food  as  birds'  eggs  and  young  birds.  They  visit 
the  poultry  yards  very  often  in  our  section  and  kill  lots  of  poul- 
try; they  are  very  plentiful  because  not  every  one  will  kill  them 
on  account  of  the  offensive  musk  they  will  discharge  when  pur- 
sued. Our  Quail  are  very  scarce,  and  I  .blame  nothing  but  the 
Skunk  for  it. 

CRAWFORD  COUNY. 

W.  G.  SARGE'ANT,  Meadville: 
Skunks  do  no  especial  harm;  many  are  taken  for  their  fur. 

HON.  J.  B.  PHELPS,  Conneautville: 

The  Skunk  is  the  farmer's  friend.  I  have  watched  them  hunt- 
ing grasshoppers  and  digging  out  grubs  in  the  field. 

H.   C.  KIRKPATRICK,  Meadville: 

The  Skunk  destroys  poultry  and  eggs;  and  in  my  opinion  is 
injurious,  but  to  what  extent  I  cannot  tell. 

COLUMBIA   COUNTY. 

E.  H.   DAVIS  and  JOHN  M.   BUCKALEW,   Fishing  Creek: 

Would  estimate  that  about  1,000  skins  of  Skunks  are  obtained 
annually  in  this  section. 

Polecats  catch  a  few  mice,  bugs  and  insects  when  they  can- 
not get   a   meal   of  Quail,   Pheasants  or   their   nests   of  eggs  or 


849 

youngr.  or  rabbits  or  their  nest  of  young.  We  sometimes  offer 
a  local  bounty  to  the  boys — to  the  one  produi'ing  the  most 
scalps — and  always  see  beneficial  results  in  Quail  and  Pheas- 
ant increasing,  as  well  as  Rabbits  thereafter. 

CUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

JACOB  MEIXEL,   Boiling  Springs: 

Skunks  are  injurious;  they  destroy  young  chickens  and  leave 
a  disagreeable  odor.  I  have  known  Skunks,  Opossums,  Wea- 
sels and  Mink  to  kill  much  poultry  and  game;  they  generally 
destroy  all  that  are  at  one  place. 

FAYETTE  COUNTY. 

N.   W.   MILLER,   Uniontown: 

Skunks  are  valuable;  they  exterminate  field  mice  and  rats. 
Some  of  our  farmers  have  forbidden  the  trapping  of  Skunks  on 
their  farms,  because  they  keep  their  meadows  free  from  rats 
and   mice. 

FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 

HON.  A.  NEVIN  POMEROY,  Chambersburg: 
Skunks  are  injurious;  destroy  poultry. 

GREENE  COUNTY. 

B.  F.   HERRINGTON,  Waynesburg: 
Skunks  beneficial;  they  destroy  a  great   many  meadow  mice. 

HUNTINGDON  COUNTY. 

GEO.   S.   APPLEIBY,  Decorum: 
Skunks  injurious;  they  destroy  poultry. 

INDIANA   COUNTY. 

WM.  D.  ROMBAOH,  Saltsburg: 

Skunks  are  very  injurious  to  all  game,  while  they  destroy 
many  moles  and  mice;  their  pelt  is  big  premium  to  kill  them". 

L.  C.  OBERLIN,   Smicksburg: 
Last  winter  1  bflieve  1  haiuiU'd  ovi-r  1,(mmi  Skunk  skins  besides 


350 

hundrods  of  ntlier  kinds.  Sknnks  are  iilpiitil'ul  all  over  thf> 
country;  I  am  sure  that  they  are  beneficial  lo  the  farmer;  they 
kill  mice,  destroy  bee,  wasp  and  yellow  jacket  nests.  Very  lit- 
tle harm  to  poultry.  On  the  other  hand  their  hides  are  vei-y 
valuable. 

SAMUEL   BOTHELL,    Shelocta: 

I  think  they  destroy  quantities  of  bugs,  grasshoppers  and 
bumble  bees,   grubs,  etc.,   that  are  more  of  a  pest  than  they. 

]l.  W.  WKHRLE,  Blairsville: 
Injurious. 

JUNIATA   COUNTY. 

W.   H.   KNOUSE,   Swales: 

I  am  firmly  convinced  that  Skunks  are  beneficial.  I  have 
known  them  to  harbor  in  buildings  and  have  not  heard  of  a 
single  instance  in  which  they  destroyed  poultry  or  eggs  of 
which  they  are  somtimes  accused.  To  the  contrary,  they  de- 
stroy large  numbers  of  field  mice,  bugs  and  worms.  My  boys 
catch  them  sometimes  and  upon  examination  we  find  that  the 
contents  of  their  stomachs  verify  this  statement. 

MR.    WELLINGTON    SMITH,    Mifflintown: 

The  Skunk  is  the  boldest  and  most  plentiful  of  all  poultry 
destroyers;  I  have  really  killed  as  many  as  six  in  one  season 
right  in  my  barn.  Last  summer  I  shot  one  in  broad  daylight 
in  the  feed  entry.  It  is  surprising  how  nicely  they  can  eat  your 
eggs  for  a  long  time  before  you  linow  what  becomes  of  them 
and  eat  your  chickens  too.  His  depredations  will  always  be 
saddled   somewhere  else. 

LANCASTER  COUNTY. 

Messrs.  H.  M.  ENGLE  &  SON,  Marietta: 

The  Skunk  is  quite  common  and  the  damage  done  by  them  is 
not  very  great.  I  know  they  destroy  eggs  and  poultry;  whether 
they  destroy  field  mice,  as  it  is  claimed.  I  do  not  know. 

LACKAWANNA  COUNTY. 

F.   L.   BEN.IAMIN,  Kizers: 
Skunks  occasionally   kill   chickens  and   eat   their  eggs. 


351 


A.  C.  SISSON.  La  Plume: 


Skunks  occasionally  destroy  poultry  and  eggs  in  a  small  way. 
but  subsist  principally  upon  bugs,  worms,  ants,  etc.,  and  are  a 
benefit  rather  than  a  damage  to  farmers.  The  Skunk  is  one 
of  the  farmers'  best  friends,  and  should  be  protected  to  the 
fullest  extent.  He  lives  largely  u:  on  insects  that  are  detrimen- 
tal to  the  farmer.  The  May  beetle  and  its  larvae,  that  are  so 
rapidly  becoming  destructive  to  many  of  our  crops,  are  es- 
pecial favorites  with  him,  and  unless  the  wholesale  trapping 
and  killing  of  these  useful  animals  is  prohibited  by  stringent 
legislation,  strawberry  growing  will  soon  become  entirely  un- 
remunerativ^e  in  many  localities,  for  it  is  generallj'  believed  that 
if  the  Skunk  could  be  let  alone,  he  would  keep  this  pest  in  check 
to  a  very  great  extent.  The  damage  to  the  potato  crop  by  the 
white  grub  is  i-apidly  increasing,  and  calls  loudly  for  prompt 
action  to  suppress  this  evil. 

In  these  days  of  agricultural  depression,  when  new  industries 
are  eagerly  sought  that  offer  profitable  results,  we  would  re- 
commend Skunk  farming.  It  has  been  demonstrated  that  these 
little  animals  can  be  grown  to  an  almost  unlimited  extent,  and 
at  the  same  time  afford  a  pleasant  and  lucrative  employment. 
Our  American  ladies  delight  in  wearing  the  excellent  fur  of 
these  little  animals,  although  usually  under  the  assumed  name 
of  expensive  furs  of  animals  now  nearly  extinct.  The  pelt  of 
a  black  Skunk  will  bring  from  |1.50  to  $2.00  each,  and  the  oil 
of  a  fat  Skunk  $1.00.  They  are  as  prolific  as  swine;  they  usually 
breed  twice  in  a  season,  and  drop  from  six  to  twelve  at  a  litter; 
they  are  easily  domesticated  and  become  as  gentle  as  kittens, 
and  can  be  handled  with  impunity,  if  the  tail  is  used  as  a  han- 
dle. Unlike  our  farm  stock,  they  require  no  feeding  in  winter; 
they  hibernate,  only  making  their  appearance  at  rare  intervals 
when  the  weather  is  mild;  their  food  is  refuse  meat  and  bones 
from  the  butcher's  shop,  mush  made  of  wheat  bran  and  cows' 
milk.  When  they  are  ready  for  slaughter,  they  are  first  chloro- 
formed, and  when  the  oil  is  extracted  they  can  be  fed  to  the 
rest  of  the  herd.  The  Ithaca  Fur  Company,  of  Ithaca,  N.  Y.. 
have  perhaps  the  most  extensive  Skunk  farm  in  the  United 
States,  situated  about  seven  miles  from  that  city,  where  sev- 
eral thousands  of  these  useful  animals  may  be  seen  at  any 
time  during  the  summer  months  by  those  who  care  to  inves- 
tigate  this  comparatively   new   and    unique  enterprise. 

ZIBA    SCOTT,    SPRING    BROOK: 

The  Skunk  is  a  very  mischievous  animal,  he  is  not  a  fast 
runner,    but    sneaks    around    the    chicken    coops    at    night    and 


:J52 

Slicks  all  the  eggs  he  can  find.  If  a  hen  i)r  turkey  staals  its 
nest  in  the  field  and  sets  there  he  is  pretty  sure  to  get  the  pgs>'. 
He  serves   the  Quails  and  Pheasants  the  same  way. 

LEHIGH  COUNTY. 

W.  B.   K.  JOHNSON,  AUentown: 

Skunks.  In  a  poultry  yard  I  should  not  want  them;  they  love 
eggs  too  well  and  have  often  come  from  the  woods  to  steal 
eggs  in  our  tarns  during  winter  and  were  caught  entering  a 
square  hole  for  cats  to  enter;  after  feasting  on  eggs  were  not 
able  to  repass  and   were  caught. 

LUZERNE  COUNTY. 

JOHN  E  STOCKER,  Ashley: 

Skunks  are  injurious  and  dangerous.  I  know  of  a  family  by 
the  name  of  Bergers,  who  lived  along  what  is  know-n  as  the 
middle  road  between  Ashley  and  Buttonwood,  about  a  mile  from 
here,  who  had  a  very  nice  flock  of  ducks  and  chickens.  There 
is  a  running  stream  about  a  stone's  throw  from  the  house,  and 
on  the  side  of  a  small  hill  they  had  built  a  coop  to  house  their 
flock;  it  was  not  long  before  Mr.  Berger  noticed  the  number 
of  his  flock  going  down;  his  idea  was  that  they  were  stolen. 
One  night  he  had  occasion  to  go  out  on  a  bright  moonlight 
night;  he  noticed  what  he  thought  were  two  dogs  playing  in 
the  road;  he  moved  a  little  closer  and  soon  found  they  were 
Skunks;  he  was  attacked  by  them  and  it  was  all  he  could  do  to 
get  away.  Had  it  been  a  child  instead  of  a  man,  the  result 
would  have  been  the  child  would  have  been  killed  or  nearly  so. 
Mr.  Berger's  suspicion  was  aroused  and  he  made  a  hunt  around 
his  premises;  the  nest  containing  five  young  was  found  under 
the  pen;  of  course  they  were  all  killed,  as  was  one  adult. 

M.  B.  TRESCOTT,  Harvey ville: 

The  Skunk  is  injurious.  It  is  a  great  destroyer  of  eggs,  rob- 
bing hens'  nests,  particularly  those  "setting."  and  destroying 
whole  broods  of  young  chickens  in  a  night  and  sometimas 
killing  an  old  one.  I  have  known  a  number  of  instances  where 
they  have  got  into  out  kitchens  and  cellars,  and  spoiled  by  their 
"scent,"  nearly  everything  stored  there.  I  do  not  know  of  any 
good   they  do. 


353 
LAWRENCE  COUNTY. 

HON.   A.  L.  MARTIN,  Enon  Valley: 
Preserve  the  Polecat. 

McKEAN  COUNTY. 

C.   W.   DICKINSON,  Norwich: 

I  certainly  think  the  Skunk  does  more  good  than  harm  for 
hf  1p  an  enemy  to  the  grasshopper,  the  cricket,  the  white  grub, 
and  nearly  all  kinds  of  beetles.  The  Skunk  lives  on  the  above 
named  insects,  ^nd  only  when  they  are  scarce  will  he  make 
a  raid  on  the  farmer's  poultry  or  eggs.  I  have  known  Skunks 
to  kill  chickens  and  devour  a  whole  nest  of  eggs. 

NOAH  H.  PARK15R,  Gardeau: 

The  Skunk  never  does  any  damage  except  he  gets  into  the 
chicken  coop  and  then  he  will  sometimes  kill  several  in  one 
night  and  often  will  repeat  his  visits  if  left  undisturbed. 

G.  R.  BROWNE'LL,  A.  P.  POPE  and  W.  R.  PAGE,  Smethport: 
Kill  chickens  and  furnish  material   for  fur  capes. 

A.  P.   BREfWER,  Norwich: 

Skunks  are  quite  plentiful  in  this  county  and  are  considered 
a  great  nuisance  on  account  of  their  unpleasant  perfumery,  and 
because  they  are  destructive  to  eggs  and  young  chickens. 

J.   B.   OVIATT,  Norwich: 

Consider  the  Skunks  a  benefit  to  the  farmer  as  they  catch 
mice,  beetles,  larvae,  etc. 

MERCER  COUNTY. 

A.  D.  McCRACKEN,  New  Lebanon: 

We  have  had  young  chickens  killed  and  so  hav«  our  neighbors, 
as  many  as  fourteen  at  one  time;  supposed  it  was  a  Skunk  or 
Polecat,  for  when  a  Skunk  was  captured  we  lost  no  more  chick- 
ens that  year.  Skunks  are  considered  by  some  beneficial  to  the 
farmer;  I  think  they  are  injurious.  They  are  becoming  scarce 
which  I  believe  will  be  beneficial  to  the  farmer  and  poultry 
raiser. 

23-n 


354 

M.  C.  OSBOURN,  Henderson: 

The  Skunk  I  think  is  a  friend  to  the  farmer  In  many  ways; 
he  sometimes  may  kill  a  chicken,  but  this  is  overbalanced  by 
the  good  he  does  in  the  field  by  killing  mice  and  other  harmful 
forms  of  animal  life. 

ARTHUR  MARTIN,   Sandy  Lake: 

We  have  the  Skunk;  they  are  the  farmer's  friend;  they  de- 
stroy more  mice  than  any  animal  we  have;  we  have  a  great  many 
mice  in  our  clover  fields;  we  will  notice  late  in  the  fall  when 
a  small  skift  of  snow  falls,  the  clover  field  is  travelled  over  and 
a  great  many  mice  killed  in  a  single  night  by  a  Skunk. 

MIFFLIN  COUNTY. 

JOS.  W.   KYLE,  Milroy: 
Injurious. 

MONROE  COUNTY. 

H.   T.   FRANKENFIELD,   Prutcheys: 

I  would  consider  Skunks  beneficial  to  the  farmer,  as  they 
catch  the   Meadow  or  Field  Mice. 

MRS.  AUMA  S.   WIL.L.ISTON,  Frutcheys: 

Last  April  my  boy  of  ten  years  trapped  a  Skunk  in  our  next 
neighbor's  chicken  yard  and  wanting  to  sell  her  to  a  "Skunk 
Park"  on  the  Delaware,  about  five  miles  from  here,  he  put  her 
in  a  box  and  kept  her  until  he  had  a  chance  to  send  her  to  the 
park;  he  had  her  two  days  when  she  gave  birth  to  a  litter  of 
seven;  of  course  he  was  more  anxious  than  ever  to  keep  her 
until  the  little  ones  were  large  enough  to  sell,  so  he  tried  giv- 
ing her  fresh  eggs,  one  three  times  a  day;  she  liked  them  well 
and  the  whole  family  throve  nicely;  she  would  take  the  egg 
between  her  front  feet  and  bore  a  small  hole  in  the  end  with 
her  teeth  and  suck  the  contents.  We  kept  them  three  weeks 
and  then  took  them  to  the  park.  In  the  meantime  the  mother 
became  so  tame  my  boy  could  handle  her  with  impunity,  take 
out  the  little  ones  when  he  liked  and  look  at  them  without  the 
mother  interfering  at  all.  I  was  sorry  he  did  not  keep  them 
until  they  grew  large  for  at  the  park  they  had  poor  success  In 
raising  the  young.  They  said  the  old  ones  ate  them;  I  do  not 
know  why,  as  the  one  we  had  seemed  very  fond  of  the  little 
ones. 


1^55 

RMIL  ULRICH,   Stroudsburg: 

If  it  were  not  for  his  odoriferous  propensities  I  should  think 
the  Skunk  a  great  friend  of  the  farmer.  He  may  occasionally 
destroy  a  nest,  eat  some  young  birds,  but  his  delights  are 
ground  hornets'  nests  and  grubs  and  worms,  after  which  he 
will  dig  in  the  field.  I  have  noticed  the  numerous  small  holes 
made  by  skunks  when  searching  for  grubs. 

MONTOUR  COUNTY. 

J.  L.   BRANNEN,  Exchange: 
Skunks  are  injurious  to  poultry  and  game. 

PERRY  COUNTY. 

p.   M.   McKEEHAN,  Ferguson: 

Skunks  are  tolerably  common  in  our  parts;  more  numerous 
than  they  were  a  few  years  ago.  They  are  certainly  destruc- 
tive of  game,  destroying  the  eggs  and  brood;  they  also  destroy 
young  rabbits.  They  seldom  now  appi'oach  farm  buildings  to 
molest  young  poultry  as  they  did  fifty  years  ago,  for  as  the 
country  is  improved  they  are  destroyed. 

C.  R.   NOTES,   Westport: 

Skunks  rob  chicken  and  turkey  nests  and  frequently  kill  tur- 
keys and  chickens. 

PIKE  COUNTY. 

C.  p.  MOTT,  Milford: 

Skunks  are  not  very  numerous  In  our  county,  and  the  mice, 
etc.,  detroyed  by  them  more  than  compensates  for  the  very 
small  damage  that  they  do  to  poultry. 

POTTER  COUNTY. 

O.  J.   JACKSON,  Borle; 
The  Skunk  does  some  damage  to  poultry. 

SNYDER  COUNTY. 

F.  J.  WAGGENSELLER,   M.  D.,  Selinsgrove: 

Skunks  are  injurious;  have  known  them  to  kill  chickens,  de- 
stroy bird?  and   small  gramf 


356 
SOMERSET  COUNTY. 

E.   B.   HOSTETTER,   Kingswood: 

The  Skunk  is  a  very  injurious  animal,  will  kill  all  the  feath- 
ered  fowls,  such  as  chickens,   turkeys,  pheasants,   quail,   etc. 

JEREMIAH  PHILLIPS,  Garrett: 

Skunks  suck  eggs  and  sometimes  catch  chickens  and  ducks, 
but  not  often. 

DR.  H.  D.  MOORE,  New  Lexington: 

Skunks.  Both  beneficial  and  injurious,  but  I  believe  the  in- 
jury outweighs  the  benefit.  If  there  were  not  any  ground-nest- 
ing birds  or  fowls,  I  have  no  douibt  he  would  make  a  good  liv- 
ing on  grubs,  bugs,  etc.  I  have  a  very  poor  opinion  of  the 
Skunk.  He  is  entirely  too  familiar;  when  he  goes  on  a  visit 
he  is  liable  to  stay  a  whole  week,  and  if  you  disturb  him  the 
whole  neighborhood  finds  it  out  and  everybody  is  down  on  him 
and  every  effort  is  made  to  desti'oy  him,  bounty  or  no  bounty. 
Allow  me  to  digress  a  little  from  your  question  and  say  that  I 
haven't  the  least  idea  in  the  world  what  the  Skunk  was  created 
for.  He  doesn't  seem  to  have  any  sense  at  all.  I  never  knew 
one  to  turn  short  around  and  start  for  home;  if  he  didn't  find  a 
barn,  or  log,  or  the  fence  around  a  ten  acre  field  to  turn  him 
he  would  go  on  and  on  forever.  I  have  met  him  at  all  hours 
of  the  night,  on  the  road,  on  the  walks  all  around  my  house, 
office  and  stable,  and  he  always  has  the  right  of  way.  Coming 
home  late  at  night  I  have  found  him  in  possession  of  the  prem- 
ises. By  maneuvering  around  and  calling  to  my  wife  to  hand 
the  shot  gun  out  of  the  back  window,  I  have  been  able  to  con- 
vince him  that  he  had  been  jumping  my  claim. 

JOSIAH  PILE,  New  Lexington: 

Skunks  are  injurious,  they  will  come  to  the  farmers'  barn  at 
night  and  if  there  are  any  young  chickens  about  the  barn  that 
are  not  shut  up  he  is  sure  to  get  them;  it  matters  not  how 
many  young  chickens  are  there  he  generally  takes  them  all; 
it  is  no  mystery  when  the  farmer  gets  to  his  barn  in  the  morn- 
ing and  finds  them  all  gone  what  has  taken  them — the  smell 
tells  the  story.     I  cannot  see  in  what  way  they  are  a  benefit. 


:ir,i 


SULLIVAN  COUNTY. 

OTTO  BEHR,  Lopez: 

Think  Polecats  are  beneficial  to  the  farmer;  the  damage  they 
do  in  occasionally  eating  the  eggs  out  of  a  nest  out  doors,  or 
catching  a  setting  hen  is  more  than  balanced  by  the  insects  they 
feed  on. 

J.   K.  BIRD,   Millview: 

The  Skunk  is  one  of  the  worst  pests  the  farmer  has,  often 
coming  to  our  doors  and  poultry  houses  and  robbing  eggs  and 
young  chickens  from  under  the  hen,  and  many  times  killing  old 
fowls.     I  would  recommend  a  bounty  of  one  dollar  on  Skunks. 

C.   F.   HUNSINGER,  Colley: 

I  consider  the  Skunk  more  of  a  benefit  than  an  injury,  for  the 
reason  that  1  know  of  many  parties  who  trap  them,  making- 
good  wages  selling  their  hides  and  a  good  fair  income  by  frying 
nut  the  oil  from  the  carcass,   which  is  useful  and  valuable. 

SUSQUEHANNA  COUNTY. 

JASPER  T.  JENNINGS,  New  Milford: 

The  Skunk  does  little  or  no  damage  to  crops  of  any  kind. 
Their  pi'incipal  depredations  are  among  the  chickens  and 
young  poultry.  I  have  often  known  a  whole  brood  of  young 
chickens  to  be  destroyed  by  them  in  a  single  night.  They  often 
burrow  under  some  rock  or  go  into  a  Woodchuck  hole  near  the 
farmer's  dwelling  and  prowl  forth  at  night  in  search  of  prey; 
they  are  great  destroyers  of  meadow  mice,  and  they  dig  out 
hornets  find  bumble  bees'  nests  for  the  larvae  of  the  bees;  they 
are  rarely  seen  in  the  day  time,  but  when  so  found  will  often 
follow  a  person  to  throw  their  almost  unendurable  odor  upon 
him.  Skunks  bring  forth  several  young  at  a  time  and  increase 
very  rapidly.  They  are  taken  quite  extensively  in  the  fall  of 
the  year  when  their  fur  is  good,  by  means  of  a  stone  trap, 
set  with  a  figure  four,  denominated  a  "dead  fall."  The  bait 
is  generally  composed  of  a  chicken's  head  or  entrails;  the  boys, 
as  well  as  some  men,  derive  no  little  pleasure,  as  well  as  some 
profit,  in  running  a  line  of  traps. 

S.   S.  THOMAS,   Lynn: 

Skunks  very  nommon;  think  fully  S.uOO  aie  killtd  in  this  county 


annually.  Woodchucks,  about  one  to  the  square  acre.  Rabbits, 
quite  common,  diminishing  before  ferrets.  Wildcats,  quite  rare; 
in  fact,  almost  unknown  in  this  part  of  the  county.  Meadow 
mice,  exceedingly  thick  some  years,  in  others  rare.  Minks  and 
Weasels  quite  common.  Foxes,  quite  common,  but  diminishing. 
Squirrels:  Pine,  common;  Gray,  plenty  when  they  migrate  this 
way;  Black,  nearly  or  quite  extinct.  Raccoon  occasionally  seen; 
less  plentiful  than  formerly.  Opossum  very  rare.  Black  Bear 
unknown  in  this  part  of  the  county;  one  killed  near  here  some 
twenty-five  years  ago. 

Am  inclined  to  believe  tlaaL  the  Skunk  by  his  ceaseless  war 
on  other  vermin  compensates  for  the  damage  he  does  to  the 
poultry.  I  have  twice  caught  him  at  the  bee  hives  scratching 
the  outside  of  the  hive  to  bring  out  the  inmates  and  devouring 
them  as  fast  as  they  appeared.  This  was  just  at  daylight  in 
the  morning. 

M.  B.  L.YMAN,  Lynn: 

Skunks.  Beneficial  in  killing  mice,  grasshoppers,  insects  and 
other  noxious  insects,  evidenced  by  upturned  stones  and  shal- 
low  punctures   in   meadows   where   they  are  often   seen. 

TIOGA  COUNTY. 

p.   W.  REXFORD,  Mansfield: 

I  think  Skunks  are  injurious  for  they  rob  all  birds'  nests  that 
are  on  the  ground,  and  they  are  bad  on  poultry. 

UNION  COUNTY. 

GEO.  W.  CHAMBERS,  Mifl^inburg: 

Skunks  are  certainly  of  no  benefit  tu  farmers  or  anybody  else. 
I  know  that  I  have  a  good  deal  of  trouble  with  them  and  I 
would  be  willing  to  help  pay  fifty  cents  for  every  scalp.  I  have 
had  to  fight  them  for  years.  If  they  get  under  a  floor  in  a 
barn  or  house  they  destroy  all  the  eggs  and  chickens  in  a  short 
time.  The  act  paying  fifty  cents  a  scalp  should  never  have 
been  repealed;  if  it  had  not  there  would  not  now  be  a  Skunk 
in  this  county  and  that  would  have  been  a  benefit  to  the 
whole  country. 

DR.  THOS.  C.   THORNTON,   Lewisburg: 

Poultry  raisers  in  this  section  suffer  considerable  loss  yearly 
from  the  depredations  of  hawks  included  in  the  genus     Aecipi- 


359 

ier.  The  Great  Horned  Owl  and  sometimes  the  Barred  Owl  also 
destroy  domesticated  fowls.  The  Duck  Hawk,  and  its  smaller 
relative  the  Pigeon  Hawk,  and  the  Bald  Eagle  will  kill  domes- 
ticated fowls.  Among  mammals,  the  common  Weasel,  Mink, 
Wildcat,  and  both  kinds  of  Foxes  also  destroy  a  large  amount 
of  poultry  every  year;  and  these  four-footed  depredators  in 
common  with  the  raptorial  birds  above  cited  do  a  great  deal 
of  mischief  by  destroying  game — birds  and  mammals — as  well 
as  many  kinds  of  small  beneficial  song  birds.  The  Mink,  which 
lives  In  the  vicinity  of  water  courses,  in  addition  to  doing 
many  other  bad  deeds,  destroys  fish;  large-sized  trout  seem 
to  be  most  agreeable  to  the  taste.  While  hawks  and  owls, 
like  some  of  their  mammalian  cotemporaries,  do  not,  so  far  as 
I  can  learn,  disturb  the  eggs  of  poultry  or  wild  birds,  we  have 
the  pestiferous  Skunk  which  is  a  most  adroit  nest  robber.  This 
animal,  like  many  other  evil  doers,  goes  about  in  the  dark  to 
kill  poultry  or  eat  their  eggs,  and  when  these  cannot  be  readily 
obtained  he  attacks  the  eggs  and  broods  of  all  ground-nesting 
birds  he  can  find.  Skunks  do  much  damage  to  poultry,  and 
the  havoc  they  make  among  game  birds,  especially  Turkeys, 
Quail,  Pheasants  and  Woodcock,  should  prompt  every  lover  of 
the  dog  and  gun  to  extirpate  these  sneaking  and  sly  pilferers. 
They  of  course  prey  to  some  extent  on  different  forms  of  in- 
sect-life, but,  possibly,  it  may  be  they  consume  almost  as  many 
beneficial  species  as  they  do  of  noxious  kinds.  Some  observers 
believe  this  to  be  the  case,  and  if  they  are  correct,  then  there 
can  be  no  room  for  doubt  that  the  whole  Skunk  race  should  be 
exterminated  as  their  ravages  in  poultry  yards,  to  game,  and  to 
insect-devouring  birds  is  well  established. 

C.   K.   SOBER,  Lewisburg: 

The  Skunk,  or  Polecat,  as  this  nocturnal  quadruped  is  called 
by  many,  is,  according  to  my  observation,  a  most  despicable  ani- 
mal. While  it  is  probably  true  that  he  destroys  some  destruc- 
tive larvae  and  beetles  which  subsist  on  the  farmer's  crops, 
the  damage  he  and  his  numerous  family  occasion  by  frequent 
visits  to  the  hen  coops  is  considerable.  I  think  the  loss  to  the 
farmer  and  fruit-grower,  through  the  destruction  of  the  eggs 
and  young  of  insectivorous  birds  by  Skunks,  is  much  greater 
than  the  good  these  animals  do  by  devouring  crop-destroying 
insect  pests.  Sportsmen  who  desire  to  see  the  game  birds  in- 
crease, very  generally  favor  the  extermination  of  Skunks  be- 
cause they  devour  the  eggs  and  young  of  Pheasants,  Turkeys, 
Quail   and    Woodcock;   and    they   sometimes   eat   young   Hares. 


36U 

They  also  catch,  it  is  said,  destructive  mice  in  meadows  where 
they  hunt  for  food;  but  in  such  places,  I  have  little  doubt,  they 
do  much  injury  to  small  song  and  insectivorous  birds,  as  they 
will  not  hestitate  to  rob  all  the  nests  which  they  can  reach  as 
they  slowly  and  methodically  hunt  over  the  ground  in  the 
twilight,  moonlight  and  dark. 

VENANGO  COUNTY. 

L,.  T.   WILT,  Franklin: 

Skunks  are  no  doubt  beneficial  as  well  as  injurious.  If  left 
alone  they  will  injure  no  one,  except  in  case  of  extreme  hun- 
ger or  on  being  molested.  Why  not  rate  him  among  the  higher 
order  of  mammals,  on  account  of  nature  endowing  him  with 
the  faculty  as  chemist  of  preserving  so  fine  a  weapon  of  de- 
fence and  in  so  fine  a  chemical  state  of  subdivision  and  in  so 
small  a  laboratory  and  capable,  with,  a  very  slight  effort  on  his 
part,  to  open  his  laboratory  and  in  an  instant  perfume  so  great 
an  amount  of  atmosphere. 

H.   C.   DOR  WORTH,   Oil  City; 

I  consider  Skunks  injurious  for  the  reason  tliat  they  will 
kill  poultry  and  eat  eggs.  I  have  been  told  that  the  stench 
from  these  animals  is  readily  taken  up  by  milk;  I  know  that 
local  dairymen  are  bothered  by  these  animals. 

Many  instances  of  Weasels  and  Polecats  killing  poultry  in  this 
county  have  occurred.  I  know  of  a  case  where  a  farmer  hearing 
a  commotion  in  his  chicken  coop  went  to  investigate;  he  got 
there  in  time  to  see  a  Weasel  killing  the  eighteenth  chicken. 
James  Black,  of  Black  Siding,  this  county,  not  long  ago  lost 
twenty  fine  White  Brahmas.  The  Weasel  had  come  up  through 
a.  crack  in  the  floor,  killed  the  whole  flock  and  dragged  every 
chicken  to  the  crack.  The  owner  found  his  twenty  chickens  in 
a  row  along  this  crack  with  their  heads  drawn  down  through 
it.  The  Polecat  does  not  kill  as  many  chickens  at  one  time  as 
a  Weasel;  one  or  two  usually  satisfies  his  hunger. 

WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 

GEORGE  MONTGOMERY,  Washington: 

The  Skunk  has  been  very  destructive  at  times  to  our  poultry, 
a  few  years  ago  one  was  quartered  under  the  coal  house, 
not  more  than  twenty  feet  from  the  kitchen  door,  and  took 
two    dozen    full    grown    hens    before    we    discovered    his    where- 


361 

abouts.  1  had  no  dog  at  the  time  and  that  was  perhaps  the 
reason  he  took  quarters  so  near  the  house.  There  was  another 
one  a  few  years  after,  which  was  under  a  pig  pen  in  the  orchard 
that  gave  me  considerable  trouble,  and  destroyed  many  eggs 
and  chickens,  before  I  succeeded  in  killing  him.  There  is  one 
at  the  present  time  staying  under  our  barn,  which  we  have 
not  succeeded  in  capturing;  he  has  killed  many  chickens  for  us 
the  past  summer  and  eaten  a  great  many  eggs.  There  have 
been  six  Skunks  killed  on  this  farm  this  year.  I  have  been 
advised  to  let  the  one  remain  at  the  barn  so  long  as  he  does  not 
kill  the  chickens,  and  have  a  dead  sheep  or  something  of  the 
kind  for  him  to  nibble  at,  but  my  sentiments  don't  tend  that 
way. 

JAS.  S.  NEASE,  Washington: 

During  the  year  1870  Skunks  were  very  abundant  in  Wash- 
ington county.  I  saw  one  in  the  town  of  West  Alexander  in  the 
chicken  coop  eating  a  young  chicken:  I  think  it  had  killed  two 
or  three  and  destroyed  some  eggs  under  a  hen.  This  was  early 
in  the  evening,  about  eight  o'clock.  Father  shot  it  while  it  was 
eating  the  chicken.  During  that  winter  Skunks  would  come  into 
the  yards  in  town  and  on  soft  nights,  scratch  on  the  bee  hives 
and  when  the  bees  came  out  would  eat  them;  this  weakened  the 
hive.  When  the  ground  was  muddy  (the  kind  of  weather 
Skunks  prefer  to  travel)  they  would  leave  the  hives  muddy 
where  they  scratched  it  at  the  hole  left  for  bees  to  enter.  At 
this  time  the  Skunk  was  hunted  but  very  little  for  its  fur,  but 
in  a  few  years  thereafter  the  fur  brought  a  good  price  and 
they  have  become  very  much  scarcer.  The  incentive  in  obtain- 
ing its  pelt  has  so  reduced  it  in  numbers  that  it  now  ought  to 
be  protected  for  the  good  of  the  farmers.  They  now  stay  far 
from  dwellings  and  those  which  remain  are  needed  to  kill 
mice,  yellow  jackets,  hornets  and  bumble  bees.  The  Skunk 
when  not  exceedingly  numerous  is  very  useful.  The  price  of  its 
fur  makes  it  much  sought  after  and  keeps  its  numbers  greatly 
reduced.     It  should  be  protected  for  a  year  or  two. 

WAYNE  COUNTY. 

G.  C.  BELL.  Maplewood: 
Injurious  by  eating  up  our  small  birds'   eggs. 

G.  W.  WOOD,  Equinunk: 

Skunks  are  odious  and  ordorous;  destructive  to  poultry;  wors» 
even  than  Foxes. 
■J.i*    II 


362 

PAUL.  SWINGLE.  S.  Canaan: 

Skunks  are  very  injurious  by  destroying  poultry. 

JOHN  KELLOW,  Carley  Brook: 

Skunks  like  good  fat  poultry,  but  I  do  not  think  they  are  very 
destructive;  they  also  catch  mice;  while  we  do  not  know  how 
many  mice  they  catch,  they  might  balance  accounts. 

E.  B.   GAGER,  Dyberry: 

Skunks  kill  our  chickens  and  eat  our  eggs. 
GEO.  FRANC,  Ariel: 

Skunks,    quite   common.     Destructive    to    poultry. 
GEO.  M.  DAY,   Dyberry: 

Skunks  are  beneficial.  They  destroy  many  bugs,  beetles, 
squash  bugs,  bumble  bees,  nests,  etc.  Where  do  they  collect 
and  bottle  up  their  ammunition  for  defence  if  not  in  our  fields 
and  pastures?  Step  on  a  lot  of  the  large  bugs  found  on  the 
squash  and  pumpkin  vines,  then  interview  a  Polecat,  at  a 
safe  distance,  and  see  if  the  perfume  is  not  the  same.  Now 
if  they  are  walling  to  pick  up  a  living  in  that  way,  and  grow 
fat  on  it,  why  not  let  them? 

C.   W.   PENNEiLL,   Hemlock  Hollow: 

The  Skunk -is  very  destructive  to  poultry  of  all  kinds  and  is 
quite  plentiful  here.  I  have  known  the  Skunk  to  destroy  nests 
of  eggs  and  whole  broods  of  young  chickens  in  a  single  night. 
I  am  sure  it  was  a  Skunk,  as  I  put  a  steel  trap  in  a  nest  with 
a  few  eggs  and  caught  him  the  next  morning.  Think  the 
State  should  pay  a  bounty  on  the  Skunk. 

N.   F.  UNDERWOOD,  Lake  Como: 

Skunks  are  plenty  here;  do  not  do  much  damage;  they  will 
occasionally  kill  chickens. 

PETER  COVEY,  Newfoundland: 

Skunks  are  common;  from  personal  knowledge  know  they  are 
injurious  to  poultry. 

WESTMORELAND  COUNTY. 

JOHN   NICHOLAS,   Bradenville: 

The  Polecat  is  an  animal  most  unpleasant  in  many  respects, 
but   must,   like  all   other  animals,   have  been   created   for  some 


363 

purpose.  It  is  only  within  one  year  that  I  have  discovered 
their  use  to  man.  Most  all  animals  prey  upon  one  another,  the 
Skunk  upon  field  mice  and  what  is  called  the  "hop  grub;"  he 
should  be  protected  as  beneficial  to   man. 

W.   r.   SLOAN,   Sloan: 
Skunks  carry  off  young  chickens. 

YORK  COUNTY. 

DR.  WM.   B.   BIGL.ER,   East  Prospect: 

Skunks  are  injurious.  1  know  they  will  destroy  eggs  and 
sometimes  chickens. 

Mr.  I.  D.  HOWELL.  York: 

Skunks  or  Polecats  are  plentiful,  and  in  my  opinion,  based 
on  experience  and  observation  of  over  fifty  years,  they  are  the 
most  destructive  vermin  in  the  whole  catalogue  as  regards 
wild  game  and  all  forest  birds  that  hatch  or  build  their  nests 
on  the  ground:  Wild  Turkey,  Pheasant,  Partridge  or  Quail, 
Woodcock  or  Snipe,  Lark,  Whip-poor-will,  or  Night  Hawk, 
Sparrows,  and  all  of  the  bird  kind  which  nest  on  the  ground. 
They  are  great  workers,  constantly  rooting  over  the  surface  of 
the  ground,  turning  up  the  leaves  and  decayed  matter,  hunting 
bugs,  "clocks,"  ants,  worms,  insects  of  all  kinds.  These  habits 
bring  them  in  direct  contact  with  the  hatching  fowl;  the  mother 
bird  usually  escapes  but  the  eggs  or  young  birds  are  easy  prey 
for  the  Skunk.  I  have  known  them  to  take  the  eggs  from  under 
a  tame  turkey  and  not  disturb  the  old  bird.  They  are  a  great 
damage  to  all  kinds  of  poultry,  they  sometimes  go  in  families, 
as  many  as  eight  together. 

OTHER  STATES. 

DAKOTA. 

I.    H.    TROCH,   Watertown: 

Skunks,  Foxes,  Muskrats,  Minks,  Rabbits  and  Mice  are 
common  and  Injurious. 

WISCONSIN. 
ALBERT   BOEHN,   LaCrosse: 
Skunks  are  destructive  to  poultry  and   their  eggs. 


364 


KEI)  SQUIRKEL. 
Sciuriis  hudisonicus. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Body  longer  than  the  tail;  body  averages  6i/4  to  71/3  inches 
long.  Weight,  about  half  a  pound.  (Fox  Squirrel,  old  adults, 
sometimes  weigh  fully  two  pounds).  Its  rather  broad  ears,  in 
winter,  are  coated  with  long  hairs,  and  those  on  back  of  ears 
form  a  short  tuft.  The  tail  is  flat  and  narrow.  In  summer, 
soles  of  feet  are  naked,  but  furred  in  winter,  except  tubercles 
at  base  of  toes.  Upper  parts  grayish  rusty;  a  bright,  reddish- 
brown,  broad  band  extends  from  the  top  of  head  down  middle 
of  the  back,  and  on  upper  surface  of  the  tail.  Lower  parts,  ex- 
cept the  tail,  are  white  or  whitish;  under  surface  of  tail,  rusty, 
blackish  and  gray.     Eyes,  brown;  teeth  (incisors)  yellow. 

Habitat. — This  species,  "including  its  varieties,  is  found  over 
most  of  North  America,  extending  north  to  the  limit  of  forest 
vegetation,  and  south  over  the  northern  two-thirds  of  the  United 
States." 

The  Red  Sqiiiii-ol  or  Chickaree  is  eominoii  through- 
out this  Stal^e.  M-awj  pei-sons,  pafticuhirly  those  re- 
siding in  the  nwuntainous  districts,  call  this  animal 
the  Pine  Squirrel,  or  "Piney."  It  is  spoken  of  some- 
times bv  sportsmen  and  hunters  who  are  not  famil- 
iar with  the  Fox  Squirrel,  as  "Fox  Squirrel."  Of 
course  such  an  appellation  is  erroneous  and  mislead- 
ing. The  Chickaree  is  not  over  one-third  the  size  of 
an  old  Fox  Squirrel,  from  whicli  it  can  easily  be  dis- 
tinguished by  its  white  under  parts,  brighter-colored 
dorsal  markings,  as  well  as  its  greatly  inferior  size. 

ALBINISM. 

Partial  or  complete  albinism  is  common  among 
birds.  We  often  see  white  or  whitish  colored  Black- 
birds, Crows.  Sparrows,  Hawks.  Owls,  etc.  This  freak 
0^  nature — ^a  result  of  the  absence  of  coloring  matter — 
niay  be  obseiwed  in  many  mammals;  Squirrels,  espec- 


7) 
m 
o 


n 
r 


HOW    TO     FOOL    A    FOX 


.{65 

inlly,  are  often  cJip(ured  wliich  are  wliulljk'  or  partially 
white.  During  the  past  five  years  the  writer  has  se- 
cured seven  specimens  of  albino  Red  Squirrels.  One 
of  these  was  taken  back  of  a  farmer's  poultry  house 
where  for  several  days  he  had  been  seen  at  different 
times.  When  the  owner  of  the  premises  first  observed 
the  Squirrel  he  thought  "it  was  a  'white'  Weasel  which 
was  after  mice  and  rats,"  but  as  the  brc>od  of  young- 
chickens  decreased  daily  it  was  determined  to  watch 
for  the  depredator. 

HIS   LAST   CHICKEN. 

A  l)oy  took  a  good  position  near  the  old  hen  and  her 
brood.  Presently  a  white  animal  was  seen  to  come 
from  a  near-by  woods,  and  running  along  the  fence 
rails  make  a  straight  course  to  the  hen  ooop,  where  he 
seized  a  young  chicken  and  started  off.  The  boy  shot 
I  he  thief,  I  bought  it,  and  reader,  you  can  see  its 
stuffed  skin  reproduced  on  the  accompanying  plate, 
Xo  more  chickens  were  sto-len  until  a  pair  of  bold  hun- 
gry Cooper's  Hawks  came  that  way  and  killed  eleven, 
inthreedays.whenthe  hoy  succeeded  in  shooting  them, 
and  finding  their  nest  with  five  young,  nearly  ready  to 
lly.  This  was  when  bounties  were  paid  and  the  suc- 
cessful boy  got  .f3..50  for  the  seven  hawks  from  a  neigh- 
boi-ing  justice  C'f  the  peace,  who  on  a  former  occasion 
paid  fifty  cents  each  for  the  heads  of  several  Night- 
hawks,  two  Shrikes,  which  were  called  "bird-liawks;" 
and,  it  is  said,  he  also  paid  for  and  burned  the  heads 
of  turkeys  and  domesticated  fowls,  believing  them  to 
be  the  remains  of  poultry  and  game  destroying  hawks 
or  owls. 

DESTROYS   MANY    BIRDS. 

.MMiouiLili    tlic   Red    S(|iiirrel    will   eat    mast,    cereiils. 


berries,  fruits,  roots,  seeds,  buds,  certain  kinds  of  ten 
der  fungi,  as  well  as  other  plants,  and  sometimes,  it  is 
said,  even  catch  insects,  he  is  decidedly  carnivorous  in 
his  tastes. 

Trappers  despise  hiin  because  he  steals  meat  with 
which  they  bait  their  traps;  and  he  does  much  mis- 
chief by  destroying  birds  which  nest  in  forest  and 
shade  trees  where  he  loves  to  live,  propagate  and  dep- 
redate. He  is  often  seen  in  the  apple  or  pear  orchards 
destroying  fruit  or  robbing  nests.  I  have  several 
times  seen  this  noisy  and  agile  marauder  devouring 
birds  of  different  species.  Robins,  Flickers,  Vireos, 
Wilson's  Thrush,  Wood  Thrush,  Oat  bird  and  several 
kinds  of  Sparrows,  as  well  as  other  species  of  song 
birds  are  victims  of  this  Squirrel's  attacks.  The  able 
and  venerable  Mr.  John  Burroughs  gives  the  sprightly 
and  wicked  Mr.  Sciuius  a  "knock-out"  blow  in  the  fol- 
lowing language: 

"Nearly  all  the  birds  look  upon  it  as  their  enemy  and  attack 
and  annoy  it  when  it  appears  near  their  breeding-  haunts.  Thus, 
I  have  seen  the  Pewee,  the  Cuckoo,  the  Robin  and  the  Wood 
Thrush  pursuing  it  with  angry  voice  and  g-estures.  If  you  wish 
the  birds  to  breed  and  thrive  in  your  orchards  and  groves,  kill 
every  Red  Squirrel  that  infests  the  place." 

ADDITIONAL  EVIDENCE   AGAINST   HIM. 

Many  testimonials  of  the  Red  Squirrel  devouring 
native  birds,  and  destroying — "cutting  off" — growing 
fruit,  particularly  pears  and  apples,  have  come  to  this 
office.  The  impudent  and  frolicsome  Red  Squirrel  also 
sucks  the  eggs  of  birds  of  many  species;  among  game 
birds  the  Ruffed  Grouse  suffers  often  from  his  visits. 
for  he  spends  much  time  on  the  ground. 

Mr.  James  Carnes,  Clearfield,  Pa.,  writes: 

"The  Pine  Squirrel,  which  is  so  common  In  our  woods,  is  one 
of  the  worst  pests,  as  he  destroys  so  many  pheasants'  eggs." 


367 

Mr.  B.  F.  Shaffer,  Nittany,  Centre  Oo.,  Pa.,  says: 

"Saw  a  Red  Squirrel  eating  the  brains'  of  a  young  Robin. 
These  squirrels  are  a  great  nuisance  where  plentiful.  They  kfll 
different  kinds  of  wild  birds  and  suck  their  eggs,  and  they  also 
sometimes  catch  young  poultry." 

Mr.  H.  M.  F.  Worden,  of  Harrisburg,  and  a  gentle 
man  who  has  been  one  of  the  most  earnest  advocates 
in  the  Commonwealth  for  better  laws  to  protect  game, 
fish  and  insectivorous  birds,  says: 

"For  some  time  1  doubted  the  statement  that  the  Red  Squirrel 
would  catch  and  kill  young  birds,  but  recently  I  know  that  a 
pair  of  these  squirrels  killed  and  devoured  a  nest  of  young 
robins.  I  have  also  learned,  on  making  inquiry  among  some 
of  my  friends  who  are  well  acquainted  with  Chickarees  in 
their  native  haunts,  that  these  mammals  often  destroy  young 
birds,  and,  in  the  course  of  a  year,  do  a  good  bit  of  damage." 

SOGMOEi  OF  HIS  PURSURERS. 

The  Red  Squirrel  has  his  own  troubles  and  must  not 
only  keep  his  eyes  open  for  men  and  boys  with  guns, 
or  traps  set  for  his  destruction,  but  he  has  to  be  on  the 
alert  for  Hawks  and  Owls  which  often  catch  him  in  an 
unguarded  moment.  Red  Squirrels,  in  common  with 
other  species  of  the  Squirrel  family,  are  often  de- 
stroyed by  the  forest  fires  which  almost  every  year,  in 
this  State,  consume  thousands  of  dollars  worth  of 
property,  besides  destroying  a  great  amount  of  animal 
life. 

ADDITIONAL   FACTS    OF   HIS   LIFE   HISTORY. 

Dr.  C.  Hart  Merrlam  makes  the  following  remarks, 
which  portray  in  a  most  pleasing  and  entertaining 
manner,  much  that  is  of  interest: 

"The  Chickaree  combines  qualities  so  wholly  at   variance,  so 
unique,  so  incomprehensible,  and  so  characteristic  withal,  that 


368 

one  scarcely  knuws  in  what,  light  to  regard  him.  His  iiKjulsi- 
tlveness,  audacity,  inordinate  assurance,  and  exasperating  inso- 
lence, together  with  his  insatiable  love  of  mischief  and  shame- 
less disregard  of  all  the  ordinary  customs  and  civili- 
ties of  life,  would  lead  one  to  suppose  that  he  was 
little  entitled  to  respect;  and  yet  his  intelligence,  his 
untiring  perseverance,  and  genuine  industry,  the  cunning  clev- 
erness displayed  in  many  of  his  actions,  and  the  irresistible  hu- 
mor with  which  he  does  everything,  command  for  him  a  certain 
degree  of  admiration.  He  is  arrogant,  impetuous  and  conceited 
to  an  extreme  degree,  his  confidence  in  his  own  superior  capa- 
bilities not  infrequently  costing  him  his  life.  In  fact,  these  con- 
tradictions in  character  and  idiosyncrasies  in  disposition  render 
him  a  psychological  problem  of  no  easy  solution. 

"From  earliest  dawn  till  the  setting  sun  has  disappeared  be- 
hind the  distant  hill,  the  Red  Squirrel  enlivens  the  silent  soli- 
tude of  the  forest  with  his  merry  ways  and  saucy  chatterings; 
and  he  may  sometimes  be  discovered  in  the  darkest  hours  of 
the  night  stealing  softly  over  the  ground — bent,  doubtless,  on 
some  errand   of  dubious  propriety. 

SOMETIMES  ACTIVE   AT   NIGHT. 

"Moonlight  evenings  he  is  often  as  active,  though  not  so  noisy, 
as  'luring  the  day,  and  in  early  autumn  he  vies  with  the  Flying 
Squirrel   in   nocturnal    nut-husking   exploits. 

"Though  an  expert  climber,  delighting  in  long  leaps  from 
bough  to  bough,  which  he  executes  with  grace  and  precision, 
he  spends  far  more  time  on  the  ground  than  other  arboreal 
Squirrels,  sometimes  even  making  his  home  in  holes  in  the 
earth. 

HE    SEEKS    THE    FENCE    RAILS. 

"Old  logs,  stumps,  wood-piles  and  brush-heaps  are  favorite- 
places  of  resort,  and  by  excavating  burrows  beneath,  he  con- 
verts them  into  the  securest  of  retreats.  Our  fences  serve  as 
highways  upon  which  he  travels  from  wood  to  wood,  and  the 
zig-zig  rail  fence  in  particular  is  one  of  the  boons  of  his  exis- 
tence. It  is  his  most  frequented  path,  his  playground,  his  race- 
course, and  when  pursued,  his  readiest  means  of  escape.  It  is 
the  step-ladder  from  which  he  leaps  into  the  branches  of  neigh- 
boring trees,  and  the  place  where  he  meets  his  friends  at  all 
hours  of  the  day.  He  frequently  follows  it  to  the  farm-house 
and  takes  up  his  abode  in  the  woodshed  or  other  outbuilding, 
placing  his  nest  between  the  ceiling  and  roof,  or  in  some  other 


'M\9 

equally  out-of-the-way  spot,   whence  he  is  with  great  difficulty 
dislodged. 

KEEPS   JUST    OUT    OF  REAiCH. 

"He  is  the  least  wary  of  the  Squirrels,  rarely  taking  trouble 
to  hide  himself  at  the  approach  of  man.  In  fact,  on  such  oc- 
casions he  usually  assumes  an  aggressive  attitude,  chippers, 
shakes  his  tail  in  an  impudent  and  wholly  uncalled  for  manner, 
but  takes  care  to  keep  just  out  of  reach.  This  daring  fearless- 
ness is  clearly  the  result  of  the  fact  that  he  is  not  worth  the 
powder  necessary  for  his  destruction,  and  he  is  therefore  tol- 
erated, though  an  acknowledged  nuisance.  But  there  are  times 
when  his  conduct  becomes  so  scandalous  that  the  shot  gun  is 
brought  out  for  his  suppression.  He  is  soon  deeply  impressed 
with  the  range  and  effect  of  this  weapon,  and  though  many  of 
his  brothers  may  have  perished  before  the  warning  was  heeded, 
he  now  becomes,  in  this  particular  locality,  the  most  circum- 
spect of  brutes.  He  scorns  the  thought  of  running  away,  but 
grows  so  vigilant,  sly,  and  crafty  that  the  farmer  is  put  to  his 
wits  end   to  devise  means  for  his  riddance." 

THEi  GRAY  SQUIRREL'S  FOE. 

The  iudefatigable,  Dnt-hunting,  bird-destroying  Red 
Squirrel  is  a  relentless  foe  of  Gray  Squirrels,  which  have 
good  reason  to  fear  his  vicious  onslaughts.  In  conclu- 
sion I  regret  that  it  has  been  necessary  to  write  and 
quote  as  has  been  done,  but  to  be  accurate  such  a 
course  had  to  be  followed.  We  can  say,  as  has  been 
said  "kill  all  the  pesky  Red  Squirrels,"  but  to  those 
who  are  familiar  with  the  woods  and  its  tenants,  I  am 
sure  if  the  merry  and  shrill  note,  chir-r-r-r-r,  of  the 
(Jhickaree  was  forever  hushed  in  death,  we  would  miss 
him  greatly  and  be  glad  to  welcome  him — cruel, 
wicked  and  bad  as  lie  is — back  to  the  scenes  of  child- 
hood days. 


24-TT 


'Mi) 


OPOSSUM. 
Didelpbis  marsupialis   viiginiana. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Variable  in  size;  weight  from  six  to  ten  pounds;  measures 
from  twenty  to  thirty-two  from  end  of  pointed  snout  to  tip  of 
the  tail;  the  tail,  about  as  long  as  the  head  and  body,  is  very 
flexible  and,  except  at  the  base  which  is  hairy,  is  covered  with 
scales,  which  enable  the  'possum  to  cling  with  absolute  security 
to  the  limbs,  amongst  which  he  climbs  with  great  dexterity.  The 
eyes  are  brown.  Fur  of  body  is  quite  soft,  and  woolly,  thickly 
sprinkled  with  long  white  and  blackish  hair  that  gives  the 
animal  a  shaggy  dress.  Sides  of  head,  face,  throat  and  chin, 
whitish,  with  a  more  or  less  brownish  area  about  the  eyes; 
legs  and  feet  blackish  brown;  the  ears,  conspicuous,  rounded 
and  lengthened,  are  dark-colored  and  naked;  belly  whitish. 
The  long  white  and  blackish  hairs  of  the  body  give  the  animal  a 
frosted,  dusky  appearance.  In  antediluvian  times  when  father 
Noah  "lived  and  built  himself  a  bark,"  'tis  said,  the  'possum 
had  long  and  numerous  hairs  covering  his  long  and  tapering 
tail;  such  a  condition  does  not  now  exist,  and  this  nakedness 
has  been  facetiously  accounted  for  in  the  following  stanzas, 
taken  from  Mr.   A.   M.   Bray  ton's  report:* 

WHY  DB  HA'R  IS  MISSIN'. 

Go   'way  fiddle — folks  is  tired  a-hearin'  you  a-squawkiii'. 
Keep  silence  for  your  betters — don't  you  hear  de  bango  talkin,? 
About  de  'possum's  tail  she's  gwine  to  lecter — ladies,  listen! — 
About  de  ha'r  what  isn't  dar,  an'  why  de  ha'r  is  missin'. 

De  ark  she  keeps  a  sailin',  an'  a  sailin',  an'  a  sailin'; 

De  lion  got  his  dander  up,  an'  like  to  bruk  de'  palin' — 

De    sarpints    hissed — de    painter   yelled — tell,    what    wi'd    all    de 

fussin'. 
You  c'u'dn't  hardly  heah  de  mate  a-bossin'  roun'  an'  cussln'. 

Now  Ham,  de  only  nigger  what  was  runnin'  on  de  packet. 
Got  lonesome  in  de  barber  shop,  an  c'u'dn't  stan'  de  racket; 
An'  so  for  to  amuse  he-self,  he  steamed  some  wood  an'  bent  It, 
An'  soon  he  had  a  bango  made — de  fust  dat  was  invented. 

He  wet  de  ledder,  stretched  it  on,  made  bridge,  an'  screws,  an' 

apron; 
An'   fitted  in   a  proper  neck — 'twas  very  long  an'   tap'rin'. 
He  tuk  some  tin,  an*  twisted  him  a  thimble  for  to  ring  it; 
An'  de  mighty  question  riz,  how  was  he  gwine  to  string  it? 

♦Report  of  Geolog.   Sur.   of  Ohio,  Vol.   IV.     Zoology,  page  170, 
as  a  quotation  from  Scribner's  Monthly,  January,  18'78. 


OPOSSUM 


:t7i 

De    possum  had  as  fine  a  tail  as  dis  dat  I  am  singin'; 
De  tia'rs  as  long  an"  thiclc  an'  strong — des  fit  for  banjo-slringin '; 
Dat  nigger  shaved  'em  off  as  short  as  wash  day  dinner  graces. 
An'  sorted  oto'em  by  de  size,  from  little  e's  to  basses. 

He  strung  her,  tuned  her,  struclt  a  jig — 'twas  "Nebber  min'  de 

wedder"; 
She  soun'  lilce  forty-'leven  bands,  a  playin*  all  togedder; 
Some  went  to  pattin',  some  to  dancin';  Noah  called  de  Aggers, 
An'  Ham  he  sot  and  knocked  de  tune,  de  happiest  ob  niggers! 

Now,  sence  dat  time — it's  mighty  strange — dere's  not  de  slight- 
est showin' 
Ob  any  ha'r  at  all  upon  de  'possum's  tail  a-growin'. 
An'  curl's,  too — dot  nigger's  ways;  his  people  nebber  los'  'em — 
For  where  you  finds  de  nigger,  dar's  de  bango  an'  de  'possum! 

Habitat. — Common  and  abundant  in  the  South;  generally  rare 
or  of  irregular  occurrence  north  of  latitude  of  Central  Pennsyl- 
vania. In  some  of  the  northern  parts  of  this  State  the  Opos- 
sum is  almost  unknown. 

This  animal,  which  is  so  abundant  in  the  southern 
states  where  it  is  highly  prized  for  food,  is  quite  num- 
erous in  the  southern  parts  of  Pennsylvania.  In  the 
the  counties  of  Delaware,  Chester,  York,  Lancaster, 
Cumberland,  Dauphin  and  several  others  Opossums 
are  plentiful. 

3,500  A  YEAR  IN  CHESTER  COUNTY. 

The  Messrs.  Weil,  extensive  fur  buyers,  of  West 
Chester,  Pa.,  say  they  have,  for  the  last  six  years,  an 
nually  purchased  about  2,000  'possum  skins  in  Ches- 
ter and  neighboring  counties,  and  that  fully  two-thirds 
of  this  number  were  obtained  in  Chester  county.  A<; 
cording  to  the  estimates  of  several  fur-dealers  in  Ches- 
ter county  it  is  believed  that  there  are  annually  sold 
to  the  "trade"  about  3.500  Opossum  skins  taken  in 
Chester  county. 

MAY    KVKNTUAL,L,Y   GET  TO   KLiONDIKE. 

On  many  of  llic  higlicr  nioiintainnus  districts  of 
northern  and  central  T'ennsvlvania  these  animals  are 


372 

rarely  seen;  but  Lhey  have  been  captured,  according  to 
reports  received  at  this  oliice,  in  probably  every  county 
of  the  State.  As  the  forests  are  removed,  the  Opos- 
sum, hunters  say,  is  discovered  in  localities  north- 
wardly, where,  in  foiraer  years  it  was  rarely,  if  ever 
seen. 

A    NIGHT   PROWL.ER. 

The  Opossum  hunts  in  the  nigiit  and  on  bright  star- 
light or  moonliglit  nights,  in  warm  weather,  can  often 
be  seen  moving  about  in  a  rather  slow  and  awkward 
pace.  Unlike  tlie  Wildcat,  Red  Fox,  and  some  other 
preying  animals  it  does  not  go  far  from  its  home;  and 
sometimes,  but  i.ot  often,  according  to  my  experience, 
is  it  found  traveling  by  daylight,  yet  frequently  it  goes 
out  in  quest  of  food  by  twilight. 

ITS  NEST. 

The  Opossum's  home  is  situated  in  various  places, 
sucli  as  hollow  logs,  old  stumps  which  are  hollowed 
and  protected  above,  or  in  cavities  which  the  animal 
makes  under  roots  of  trees  or  stumps;  and  they  have 
been  known  to  take  up  their  quarters,  like  Skunks, 
Minks  and  Weasels  often  do,  under  the  farmer's  build- 
ings. Their  nests  are  lined  with  miscellaneous  ma- 
terials, such  as  leaves,  grasses,  lichens,  etc. 

HUNTS  A  TREE   WHEN  PURSUED. 

The  mischievous  small  boy  when  discovered  in 
wrongdoing  will,  usually,  if  his  capture  is  attempted, 
start  off  for  home  as  fast  as  his  legs  can  carry  him. 
The  Opossum  does  not  do  this.  He  climbs  up  the 
nearest  tree,  when  dogs  or  Foxes  attempt  to  catch  him, 
and    makes   hini.self   comfortable.     He    will    sit    there 


373 

until  his  puisui'ers  leave.  When  dogs  are  with  hun- 
ters and  the  latter  come  to  the  tree  which  the  Opos- 
sum occupies,  a  shot-gun  ends  the  hunt.  Sometimes 
the  Opossum  is  slialien  from  his  refuge  and  the  dogs 
speedilj  kill  him.  However,  it  is  much  easier  to  talk 
about  shaking  'possums  and  'coons  from  trees,  than  it 
is  to  do  it. 

A  VERITABLE  CURIOSITY. 

"We  can  imagine  to  ourselves  the  surprise  with  which  the 
Opossum  was  regarded  by  Europeans  when  they  first  saw  it. 
Scarcely  anything  was  known  of  marsupial  animals,  as  New 
Holland  had  not  as  yet  opened  its  unrivaled  stores  of  curiosi- 
ties to  astonish  the  world.  Here  was  a  strange  animal,  with 
the  head  and  ears  of  a  pig,  sometimes  hanging  on  the  limb  of 
a  tree,  and  occasionally  swinging  like  the  monkey  by  the  tail. 
Around  that  prehensile  appendage,  a  dozen  sharp-nosed  sleek- 
headed  young  had  entwined  their  tails  and  were  sitting  on 
their  mother's  back. 

"The  astonished  traveler  approaches  this  extraordinary  com- 
pound of  an  animal,  and  touches  it  cautiously  with  a  stick. 
Instantly  it  seems  to  be  struck  with  some  mortal  disease;  its 
eyes  close,  it  falls  to  the  ground,  ceases  to  move,  and  appears 
to  be  dead!  He  turns  it  on  its  back,  and  perceives  on  its  stom- 
ach a  strange  and  apparently  artificial  opening.  He  puts  his 
finger  into  the  extraordinary  pocket,  and  lo!  another  brood  of 
a  dozen  or  more  young,  scarcely  larger  than  a  pea,  are  hanging 
in  clusters  on  the  teats.  In  pulling  the  creature  about  in  great 
amazement,  he  suddenly  receives  a  grip  on  the  hand — a  twink- 
ling of  the  half-closed  eye  and  the  breathing  of  the  creaturo 
evince  that  it  is  not  dead,  and  he  adds  a  new  term  to  the  voca- 
bularly  of  his  language,  that  of  'playing  'possum'." 

WISE  PROVISIONS   OF  NATURE. 

"The  whole  structure  of  the  Opossum  is  admirably  adapted 
to  the  wants  of  a  sluggish  animal.  It  possesses  strong  powers 
of  smell  which  aid  it  in  the  search  for  food;  its  mouth  is  capa- 
cious, and  its  jaws,  possessing  a  greater  number  and  variety 
of  teeth  than  any  other  of  our  mammals,  indicate  its  omnivor- 
ous habits:  its  fore  paws,  though  not  armed  with  retractile 
claws,  aid   in   seizing  its  prey,   and  conveying   it   to   th^   mMnth 


374 

The  construction  of  the  hind  foot,  with  the  soft  yielding  tuber- 
cles on  the  palms,  and  its  long  nailless  opposing  thumb,  enable 
It  to  use  these  feet  as  hands,  and  the  prehensile  tail  aids  It 
in  holding  on  to  the  branches  of  trees,  whilst  its  body  Is 
swinging  in  the  air;  in  this  manner  we  have  observed  it  gath- 
ering persimmons  with  its  mouth  and  fore  paws,  and  devouring 
them  while  its  head  was  downward,  and  its  body  suspended 
in  the  air,  holding  on  sometimes  with  its  hind  feet  and  tail, 
but  often  by  the  tail  alone," — Audubon  and  Bachman. 

A  PROLIFIC  AND  RAPID  BREEDER. 

.Many  curious  afid  mislukeii  ideas  are  entertained 
about  the  breeding  of  this  marsupial.  I  secured  an 
Opossum  in  Chester  county,  Pa.,  early  in  the  month 
of  March  with  a  foetus  in  utero.  Observations  which 
have  been  made  show  that  the  young  remain  in  the 
uterus  from  fifteen  to  seventeen  d'ays — they  have  no 
placenta  or  after  birth — and  when  born  they  are 
assisted  by  the  mother  into  her  pouch  where  at  once 
they  attach  themselves  to  the  teats  from  which  they 
receive  nourishment  and  grow  rapidly.  The  Opossum 
is  exceedingly  prolific,  producing  two  or  three  litters 
annually.  The  female  when  one  year  old,  It  is  stated, 
begins  to  raise  a  family. 

AN  OMNIVOROUS  ANIMAL. 

The  Opcssum  is  a  voracious  feeder  and  where  abun 
dant  often  causes  the  farmer  and  poultry  raiser  much 
annoyance.  Like  the  Raccoon,  he  loves  green  com. 
He  is  fond  of  chestnuts,  and  other  kinds  of  mast  are 
consumed  by  him.  He  sometimes  kills  and  eats  rats, 
likewise  mice,  and  insects,  and  he  feeds  quite  exten- 
sively, hunters  and  trappers  say,  on  birds  and  their 
eggs;  he  will  eat  young  Rabbits  and  he  feasts 
on  different  fruits  and  berries.  Ground-nesting 
birds     such     as     the     Quail.     Pheasant     and     other 


:^75 

species  which  build  their  uests  low  down  in  trees 
or  bushes  aie  frequently  destroyed  by  this  robber. 
Different  roots,  as  well  as  other  portions  of  plants, 
furnish  him  sustenance.  This  animal  often  visits  the 
hen-roost  and  destroys  the  farmer's  fowls.  Unfortu 
nately  a  large  amount  of  data  which  was  collected 
from  farmers,  poultry  raisers  and  sportsmen  concern- 
ing the  damage  which  Opossums  do  to  poulti-y,  corn 
and  wild  birds,  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  February  last, 
consequently  I  am  unable  to  give  in  this  paper  their 
valuable  and  interesting  reports. 

SOME    OF    ITS    ENEMIES. 

Several  of  the  larger  species  of  Hawks,  likewise  the 
Cooper's  and  the  Sharp-shinned  Hawks,  as  well  as  the 
Great  Horned,  the  Barred  and  the  Snowy  Owls,  also 
the  Eagles,  will  attack  Opossums.  Foxes  often  surprise 
and  devour  them,  and  Weasels  have  l>een  known  to 
kill  these  marsupials;  and  on  one  occasion  one  of  my 
acquaintances  shot  a  Ked  Squii-rel  eating  a  young 
Opossum  which  it  was  supposed  he  had  caught  and 
killed.  Few  animals  are  more  easily  trapped  than  is 
the  Opossum.  Tlie  steel  trap,  dead  fall  or  snare  may 
all  be  used  with  success  to  aid  in  his  destruction,  and 
either  vegetable  or  animal  bait  can  be  used. 


376 


RED  FOX. 
Vulpes  pennsylvanieus. 

DESCRIPTION. 

About  as  large  as  a  medium-sized  dog;  weight  about  fifteen 
pounds;  height  about  fourteen  inches;  measures  about  forty- 
four  inches  in  length,  including  the  bushy  long-haired  tail 
which  measures  about  seventeen  inches,  to  the  tip  which  is 
generally  white.  The  ears,  behind,  outside  of  legs,  the  snout, 
and  the  tips  of  many  caudal  hairs,  are  black.  The  general 
color  is  "a  bright,  clear,  yellowish  rufous,  darker  on  the  shoul- 
ders and  flanks."  The  belly  quite  white  along  its  middle,  dark- 
ens laterally;  the  chin,  throat  and  breast  are  white  or  whitish. 
The  Black  or  Silver  Fox,  sometimes,  though  rarely,  taken  here, 
and  the  Cross  Fox,  which  is  much  oftener  captured  in  Penn- 
sylvania are  called  by  naturalists  melanotic  forms  or  varieties 
of  the  Common  Red  Fox. 

I  know  of  three  Black  or  Silver  Foxes  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
when  last  heard  from  they  were  all  alive,  elusive  and  hearty. 
One  is  in  Clinton  county,  another  roves  near  Lake  Ganoga,  a 
delightful  and  romantic  place  on  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad 
in  Sullivan  county,  and  the  third  one  lives  largely  like  a  good 
many  other  poachers,   on   Ruffed   Grouse   up  in  Pike   county. 

We  find,  not  infrequently,  animals  with  very  defective  coats, 
which  fur  dealers  and  trappers  call  "Sampson  Foxes,"  they 
have  little  commercial  value.  Mr.  A.  M.  Bray  ton*  says:  "Re- 
garding this  peculiar  condition  of  pelage,  Mr.  Allen  is  of  the 
opinion  that  it  is  the  result  of  a  disease  which  produces  a 
crisp,  woolly  condition  of  the  fur  much  as  though  it  had  been 
singed;  hence  the  common  name  of  'Sampson'  or  'Samson' 
Foxes."  Mr.  Brayton  referring  to  the  Cross  Fox,  and  the 
Black  or  Silver  Gray  Fox,  says:  "Dr.  Coues  regards  the  Cross 
Fox  as  a  'special  state  of  semi-melanium'  (melanism  is  the  re- 
sult of  an  excess  of  dark  coloring  matter)  of  the  Common  Fox. 
This  variety,  common  in  northern  New  York,  and  sometimes 
as  far  southward  as  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  receives  its  name 
from  the  presence  of  a  black  cross  formed  by  a  black  band 
along  the  back  crossed  by  another  on  the  shoulder.  It  shades 
by  varying  and  almost  insensible  degrees  into  the  Black  or 
Silver  Gray  Fox. 

"Complete,  or  nearly  complete,  melanism  distinguishes  the 
Black  or  Silver  Gray  Fox.  *  *  *  -phe  color  is  a  uni- 
form, lustrous  black,  with  conspicuously  white-tipped  tail; 
more  or  less  of  the  long  hairs  of  the  back  and  flanks,  top  and 
sides  of  head  greyish,  silvery  at  the  end,  giving  a  silvered  ap- 
pearance to  the  pelage.  The  perfectly  black  pelts  are  found, 
chiefly,  in  high  latitudes." 

Such  pelts  are  very  valuable. 

•Mammals  of  Ohio,  p.  17.   in  Geolog.   Survey  of  Ohio.     1S82. 


377 

The  prices  of  furs  are  always  changing  but  those   quoted   in 
a  recent   list  of  a  New   York  fur  exporter  are: 
Red  Fox  (Northern  Pa.),  $1.50  to  $1.60. 
Red  Fox  (Western  Pa.),  $140  to  $1.50. 
Grey  Fox,  (Penna.)  .60c  to  .70c. 

Silver  Fox  (Eastern,  Ca.,  and  N.  W.),  $20   to  $110.00. 
Cross  Fox  (Eastern,  Ca.   and  N.   W.),  $5.00  to  $10.00. 

"While  the  Cross  and  Black  or  Silver  Foxes  ai-e  usually  con- 
sidered different  'varieties,'  they  are  not  such,  in  the  classifi- 
catory  sense  of  that  term,  any  more  than  are  the  red,  black, 
or  white  Wolves,  the  black  Marmots,  Squirrels,  etc.  The  proof 
of  this  is  in  the  fact  that  one  or  both  of  the  'varieties'  occur 
in  the  same  litter  of  whelps  from  normally  colored  parents. 
They  have  no  special  geographical  distribution,  although,  on 
the  whole,  both  kinds  are  rather  northerly  than  otherwise,  the 
Silver  Foxes  especially  so.  It  does  not  appear  to  be  ascer- 
tained exactly  how  far  the  styles  of  pelage  tend  to  perpetuate 
themselves;  that  is  to  say,  in  what  proportion  of  cases  a  cross 
will  produce  a  cross  litter,  or  a  black,  a  black  litter;  but  the 
inter-breeding  of  the  several  varieties,  and  their  purely  acci- 
dental origin,  from  parents  of  the  normal  coloration,  are  incon- 
testable."—(Coues  and  Yarrow,  Zool.,  Epl.,  W.  100  Merid.  V.  18, 
75.   53). 

Habitat. — This  species,  including  its  varieties,  is  common  in 
the  Arctic  regions  and  the  northerly  portions  of  the  United 
States.  Found  generally  throughout  Pennsylvania,  and  in  sec- 
tions of  the   State   this  predatory   animal  is  very  plentiful. 

The  Ked  Fox  surpasses  all  other  of  our  mammals 
in  cunning;  \\v.  is  also  exceedingly  wary  and  often 
when  plentiful  in  a  section,  he  frequently,  by  watch- 
ful and  cautious  ways,  escapes  observation. 

PDENTIFUL,   IN   MANY   FARMING   DISTRICTS. 

This  species  is  much  more  plentiful  in  many  highly 
cultivated  farming  districts  than  is  usually  supposed. 
This  was  noted  in  (Chester  county,  Pa.,  in  1886*,  when, 
under  the  scalp  act  of  18S5,  in  about  four  mo-nths,  up- 
ward of  a  hundred  Red  Foxes  (they  were  tlie  genuine 
article,  as  no  dog  or  other  heads  would  "go"  in  Ches- 
ter for  Foxes)  were  presented  for  bounty  and  paid  for 
bv  the  oo-mmissi oners. 


•See   in   Chapter   TX    uumumous   locord?   of   Foxes    in    different 
counties  of  Pennsylvania. 


•MS 


SOME    FOX    HUNTERS    WORRIED. 

The  publication  of  these  bounty  payments,  together 
with  the  killing,  for  premiums,  of  some  thirty  Red 
Foxes  in  one  week,  in  the  West  Chester  Daily.  Local 
News — a  newspaper  which  goes  to  nearly  every  home 
in  the  County  of  Chester,  with  its  population  of  100,- 
000  people — created  quite  a  furore  among  Fox  hun 
ters  who  loved  to  pursue,  but  not  destroy  sly  Reynard. 
The  objectionable  scalp  act  was  freely  discussed,  and 
by  some  roundly  "cussed."  Tlie  fox  hunters,  with, 
possibly,  a  few  exceptions,  who  condemned  the  bounty 
of  a  dollar  a  head  on  Foxes,  made  little  complaint 
about  the  killing  of  Hawks,  Owls  and  other  birds 
which  had  been  captured  and  paid  for,  at  seventy- 
cents  each  (twenty  cents  to  justice  of  the  peace)  to 
the  number  of  about  800.     The  claim  was  made 

"that  it  was  a  waste  of  public  funds:  the  Fox  was  a  badly 
abused  animal  and  he  furnished  lots  of  sport:  Hawks  and  Owls 
were  of  little  or  no  acount,  and  when  they  were  killed  off,  the 
large  bounty  payments  would  cease  and  the  money  spent  for 
them  would,  in  future  years  be  found,  so  far  as  poultry  and 
game  interests  were  concerned,  to  be  a  wise  outlay." 

SOME  THINGS  THEY  DID. 

The  members  of  the  West  Chester  Microscopical  So- 
ciety, a  body  of  well-informed  scientific  men,  did  not 
concur  in  the  expressions  quoted  above,  as  can  be 
seen  by  tuiijing  to  succeeding  pages.  These  birds, 
which  devoured  legions  of  destructive  grasshoppers, 
and  beetles  or  thinned  out  the  Meadow  Mice,  were  not, 
it  is  true,  hunted  by  men  in  bright  red  coats,  buttoned 
high  in  front,  nor  were  they  followed  by  pedigi'eed 
packs  of  baying  hounds  (that  so  often  frightened  the 
sheep,  and  sometimes  stampeded  the  cows)  and  swift, 
high-priced,  well-kept  steeds,  that    tore     the    sod,  or 


f 


:{79 

occasionally  smashed  fence  posts  and  rails,  where  bene- 
ficial birds  of  prey  »o  often  waited  and  watched,  in 
dayliglit  and  dark,  for  insidious  foes  which  consumed 
the  land  owner's  crops. 

Finally  several  of  the  Fox  hunters — those  who  pur 
sued  Foxes  for  pleasure  alone — who  knew  much  of  the 
damage  done  to  poultry  by  Foxes  with  young,  made  up 
a  purse,  and  agreed  to  pay  farmers  who  were  digging 
out  old  Foxes  and  their  whelps,  for  all  the  domesti- 
cated fowls  that  were  killed.  It  was  further  stipu 
lated  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reynard's  heirs  should  not  be 
slain  for  bounty,  but  when  caught  should  be  kept  alive, 
until  a  certain  size,  when  they  were  to  be  liberated. 
This  arrangement  saved  the  lives  of  many  Foxes. 

A   DIVERSION   ENJOYED  BY   MANY. 

Fox  hunting  for  pleasure — a  most  exhilarating  and, 
to  many,  enjoyable  diversion — is  engaged  in  by  some 
of  the  foremost  citizens  of  Chester,  Delaware,  Mont- 
gomery, Lancaster,  Washington  and  perhaps  a  few 
other  counties.  In  these  localities  there  is  more  or 
less  sentiment  expressed  in  favor  of  Foxes. 

THEY    SAY   HE   DOES  MUCH    GOOD. 

Some  gentlemen,  and  I  believe  they  are  sincere  in 
what  they  say,  claim  that: 

"Foxes  subsist  chiefly  on  mice,  rats,  or  other  rodents:  and 
also  consume  great  quantities  of  grasshoppers  and  'bugs';  and 
that  the  consumption  of  these  pests  is  of  far  more  value,  pe- 
cuniarily considered,  than  is  the  occasional  turkey,  chicken, 
duck  or  goose,  which  are  rarely  stolen,  unless  other  food  sup- 
plies run  short." 

These  persons  seldom,  if  ever,  refer  to  the  Fox's 
keen  sense  of  smell,  and  acute  hearing,  which,  with  his 


380 

bright,  sharp  eves,  enable  him,  with  wily  strateg\-  and 
soft,  cautious  tread,  to  destroy  nearly  all  kinds  of  ter 
restrial  birds,  ranging  in  size  from  the  old  Wild  Tur- 
key which  weiglis  twenty-five  pounds,  to  an  Oven-bird 
that  weighs  about  a  C0'U])1(!  of  ounces.  Of  course  such 
a  lack  of  kni)w  ledge  is  pardonable,  for  it  is  a  known 
fact  that  few  people  who  hunt  in  bright  red  clothes, 
find  time  to  look  oai  the  trail  of  death  which  almost 
daily  marks  the  Ked  Fox's  path.  They  know  him  sim- 
ply as  a  crafty  and  pretty  creature,  which  by  marvel- 
ous tricks  is  so  often  enabled  to  baffle  the  liounds,  as 
he  speeds  through  the  valleys,  across  broad  fields,  over 
hill-tops,  crossing  streams,  running  on  logs,  or  along 
fence-tops,  and  when  tired  defiantly  shakes  his  much- 
prized  "biush"  and  tossing  his  head,  hides  in  the  rocks. 

SHEEP-KILLING    DOGS   AND   FOXES. 

Some  sheep-killing  dogs,  it  is  asserted,  will  not  com- 
mit their  costly  aud  vexatious  depredations  near  home, 
and  many  claim  that  the  Red  Fox  which  has  his  wife 
and  little  ones  near  a  farmer's  hen  coop  will  rarely 
visit  it  with  evil  intent,  unless  reduced  to  extremity 
by  hunger's  pangs.  This,  perhaps,  is  in  some  in- 
stances true,  but  if  Mr.  Fleetfoot  Fox  does  not  steal 
poultry,  or  young  lambs  near  his  burrow,  so  often 
usurped,  he  certainly  does  plenty  of  this  kind  of  work 
away  from  his  home.  He  is  built  for  speed,  and  often 
travels  over  a  large  space  of  conntry  on  foraging  ex- 
cursions. \Mien  he  leaves  his  vigilant  wife  and  play- 
ful children  and  hies  away  on  these  food-hunting  ex- 
peditions it  is  not  uncommon  for  some  neighboring  rel- 
ative who  also  left  his  family  in  a  snug  den — about 
which  bones,  feathers,  hair,  and  other  animal  icmains 


381 

are  scattered — to  come  and  steal  the  poultry  and  lambs 
or  yoiinji:  pigs  of  the  farmer,  which  the  other  crafty 
Fox  allowed  to  live  unmolested.  Naturally  the  result 
of  this  is  that  Foxes  are,  very  generally,  despised  by 
farmers  and  poultry  raisers,  and  they,  not  unwisely, 
destroy  these  ''pesky  brutes." 

SOME   OF   HIS    NUMEROUS    VICTIMS. 

Sportsmen  who  have  taken  the  pains  to  investigate 
the  habits  of  Foxes,  particularly  the  Bed  Fox,  abhor 
them  and  urge  their  extermination,  because  it  has  been 
ascertained  that  where  these  marauders  are  abundant 
game  of  all  kinds  decreases  with  astonishing  rapidity. 
The  fact  is  well  established  that  Foxes  destroy,  with 
indiscriminate  greed,  almost  all  species  of  desirable 
game — birds  and  mammals — which  they  can  master. 
The  fact  that  they  will  kill  young  fawns  is  beyond  dis- 
pute and  shows  that  the  do«  has  in  the  artful  Fox,  as 
well  as  the  sneaking  Wildcat,  foes  which  need  con- 
stant watching.  If  it  was  customary  for  crafty  and 
sagacious  Foxes  to  hunt  in  packs,  like  Wolves  do,  there 
unquestionably  would  be  a  much  greater  paucity  of 
Virginia  Deer  than  at  present  exists  in  Pennsylvania. 
I  have  in  my  museum  a  Black  Bear,  about  as  big  as  a 
large  house  cat,  which  was  obtained  from  a  woodsman 
who  said  he  found  it  at  a  Red  Fox's  den. 

SOME    ANIMALS    FOXES    KILL. 

Among  the  numerous  kinds  c^  wild  birds  and  mam- 
mals which  Foxes  destroy,  remains  of  the  following 
have  been  found  in  their  stomachs  or  at  their  dens: 


'AH2 


MAMMALS. 

Fawn, 

Varying  Uare, 

Gray  Rabbit  (Cottontail), 

Gray  Squirrel, 

Black  Squirrel, 

Red  Squirrel, 

Chipmunk, 

Woodchuck, 

Opossum, 

Skunk, 

Muskrat, 

Weasel, 

Mice, 

Rats. 


BIRDS. 


Wild  Turkey, 

Ruffed  Grouse, 

Mongolian  Pheasant, 

Quail, 

Woodcock, 

Field  Plover, 

Sora, 

Wood  Duck, 

Mallard, 

Dove, 

Meadovv^lark. 

Nighthawk, 

Screecli  Owl, 

Song  Sparrow. 


This  list,  so  far  as  the  feathered  animals  are  con 
oemed,  could  be  materially  increased  as  tliere  is 
probably  hardly  a  species  of  the  bird  family  which 
nests  on  the  ground  that  has  not  suffered  from  the 
raids  of  Foxes,  which  devour  with  alacrity  any  of  them 
— old  or  young — and  if  these  cannot  be  caught  they 
eat  the  eggs.  The  Fox  hunts  in  daytime  as  well  as  at 
night.  He  Mill  eat  carrion  if  nothing  beti:er  can  be 
found,  and  fish,  it  is  said,  are  also  sometimes  agreeable 
to  his  palate.  Some  writers  say  he  will  eat  ripe  grapes 
and  many  other  kinds  of  fruit,  which  is  no  doubt  true, 
but  I  have  never  known  either  the  Red  or  Gray  Fox 
to  feed  on  a  vegetable  diet. 


POXES  LOVE  LAMB  CHOPS  AND  PORK. 

As  several  gentlemen  have  sent  communications  to 
this  office  defending  Foxes  and  also  asserted  that  these 
animals  seldom,  if  ever,  disturbed  lambs,  and  that  it 


38:i 

was  absurd  to  say  that  tli(-y  would  j^o  near  a  vicious  old 
sow  when  she  had  a  litter  of  young,  I  wrote  to  Dr.  L. 
W.  Schnatlerly,  a  well  informed  naturalist,  of  Free- 
port,  Armstrong  county,  Pa.  I  knew  he  resided  in  a 
section  of  the  Commonwealth  where  Foxes  were  said 
to  be  very  numerous,  and  much  addicted  to  stealing 
lambs,  poultr}'  and  young  pigs.  The  docto-r  kindly 
took  the  trouble  to  interview  on  this  subject  a  number 
of  his  farmer  friends  and  other  reliable  gentlemen. 
The  facts  thus  obtained  are  told  by  Dr.  Schnatterly  in 
the  following  words: 

Mr.  John  Ehrenfelt,  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer  of  Armstrong 
county,  tells  me  that  every  spring  the  Foxes  stole  many  of 
his  lambs,  and  the  only  way  he  could  prevent  it  was  to  take 
a  dead  one,  fill  it  with  arsenic  or  strychnine  and  leave  it  where 
they  would  get  it.  He  says  he  has  cleaned  the  Foxes  out  many 
times  that  way. 

Mr.  Geo.  Ralston,  farmer,  Armstrong  county,  has  lost  many 
lambs  by  Foxes  but  could  never  catch  the  cunning  fellows  at 
their  work,  but  has  found  many  lambs'  pelts  and  skeletons  at 
their  dens.  Along  the  Allegheny  river  hill  which  adjoins  my 
farm  there  is  a  den  of  them  now  and  they  are  around  my  barn- 
yard weekly. 

Mr.  Geo.  Sterick,  formerly  a  farmer  but  now  one  of  our 
townsmen,  who  used  to  be  a  great  hunter  says  that  all  along 
the  river  and  Buffalo  Creek  hills,  you  can  see  bones  of  lambs, 
pigs,  turkeys,  chickens  and  other  game  that  would  make  a  cart 
load  at  the  many  different  Fox  dens  in  the  rocks. 

Mr.  Thos.  Hill,  farmer,  Armstrong  county,  occasionally  loses 
a  few  lambs  and  he  supposes  they  have  been  taken  by  Foxes, 
but  as  he  lives  several  miles  back  from  the  North  hill  they 
don't  molest  him  very  much. 

Mr.  Homer  Iseman,  formerly  a  farmer  but  now  an  oil  and 
gas  driller,  relates  what  he  witnessed  only  one  year  ago.  He 
and  Abe  Thompson  were  drilling  a  well  in  Westmoreland 
county.  Near  where  they  were  at  work  was  a  large  flock  of 
sheep  and  lambs.  The  latter  were  out  playing  one  morning 
and  a  large  Red  Fox  came  down  to  the  lambs.  The  Fox 
crouched  down  as  a  cat  does  and  lay  there  motionless.  The 
lambs  played   closer  and   closer  until   they  camp  within   a   few 


384 

feet  of  the  animal.  The  Fox  made  a  leap  and  caught  a  lamb 
and  started  off  with  it  for  its  den  on  the  Creek  hill;  the  men 
began  to  yell  and  they  frightened  the  Fox  so  it  dropped  the 
lamb  but  it  was  crushed  so  it  died. 

Mr.  J.  E.  Hodel,  of  Allegheny  county,  says  that  he  and  Jas. 
Henderson  blamed  a  Fox  for  stealing  their  poultry;  they 
sought  for  her  den  and  dug  her  out.  It  was  an  old  she  Fox 
and  they  found  several  bushels  of  bones  of  lambs,  pigs,  ducks, 
geese,  turkeys  in  an  ante-chamtoer  or  dining  room,  by  side  of 
den. 

Mr.  Geo.  Murphy,  farmer,  Armstrong  county,  tells  me  that 
several  years  ago  a  drover  with  sheep  and  lambs  was  passing 
his  place  and  the  lambs  gave  out  and  were  left  there  a  day; 
during  that  time  a  large  Fox  paid  them  a  visit,  caught  and 
killed  one,  and  then  perched  itself  on  the  fence  to  bask  in  the 
sunshine.  He  went  to  get  a  gun  to  kill  it  but  when  he  came 
back  it  had  taken  its  prey  and  left.  Not  long-  after  a  sow  had 
a  litter  of  pigs  In  the  woods;  he  heard  them  making  a  noise 
one  day  and  went  to  see  what  was  the  matter.  A  big  fight  was 
on  between  the  old  sow  and  the  Fox;  the  Fox  would  run  at 
the  sow  like  a  dog,  and  then  the  sow  would  run  at  the  Fox  to 
drive  it  away  from  the  pigs  that  were  huddled  in  the  nest;  this 
was  repeated  several  times  until  the  Fox  got  the  sow  real  mad 
and  she  made  at  the  Fox  and  run  it  several  yards  from  the 
pigs.  The  Fox  then,  quick  as  speed  would  let  it,  bounded 
round  past  the  sow  into  the  nest,  grabbed  a  pig  in  its  mouth 
and  was  gone  before  the  sow  could  get  back  to  the  nest.  He 
had  to  take  the  .cow  and  pigs  home  to  keep  the  rest  from  be- 
ing stolen. 

Mr.  Thos.  Stroup,  farmer,  Armstrong  county,  had  four  lamibs 
taken  in  one  week  by  Foxes.    The  lambs  were  one  week  old. 

Mr.  Samuel  Reddick,  farmer,  Armstrong  county,  had  a  sow 
with  a  litter  of  pigs  in  the  woods  near  house  in  a  rail  pen.  A 
Fox  or  Foxes,  made  nightly  visits  to  the  pen  and  took  seven 
pigs  and  the  sow  became  so  frantic  and  enraged  that  she  tore 
the  rail  pen  down  to  get  at  the  intruder.  The  pigs  were  a 
week  old. 

Mr.  Thos.  Jack,  farmer,  says  there  is  nearly  a  cart  load  of 
bones  of  all  kinds  of  small  animals  at  some  Fox  dens  along 
the  river  hill  near  Logansport.  None  of  the  above  gentlemen 
ever  heard  of  Foxes  attacking  calves  or  killing  them. 

Thesp  remnrks  refpr  to  botli  the  Red  and  Gray 
Foxps  bnt  bv  fai-  lh(-     jri'oator    amount     of     da^iajjo 


385 

was  done  by  Red  Foxes,  as  they  are  mucli  more 
commoiii.  Dr.  Scbnatterly  writes  that  farmers 
generally  tell  him  they  lose  many  lambs  every 
spring  by  Foxes  that  come  about  chiefly  at 
night.  The  indignant  farmers  and  stock  raisers 
know  that  Foxes  commit  these  depredations  as  they 
find  the  remains  of  lambs  at  the  Foxes'  dens  among 
the  rocks. 

WHERE   PHEASANTS  THRIVED. 

I  call  to  mind  a  locality  in  Centre  county,  where  all 
the  natural  conditions  are  most  favorable  for  Ruffed 
Grouse  to  live  and  multiply.  Second  growth  white 
pine  and  hemlock  thickets,  and  extensive  patches  of 
large  rhododendrons  (buck  laurel)  abound;  wild  fruits 
and  berries,  chestnuts,  acorns,  arbutus,  ferns,  together 
with  other  kinds  of  plant-food  they  live  oo,  are  plenti- 
ful in  and  around  the  old  slashings  and  abandoned  log 
and  tram  roads.  But  the  noble  Ruffed  Grouse  has  for 
the  past  three  years  been  very  scarce  there.  Four 
years  ago  this  splendid  game  bird  abounded  in  this 
locality  where  I  have  often  known  a  good  marksman 
to  shoot  in  a  day's  tramp,  of  eight  or  ten  miles,  from 
six  to  a  dozen  of  them. 

FOXES  DID  IT. 

Some  may  say  hunters  killed  all  the  birds;  this,  how- 
ever, is  not  the  case,  but  it  is  very  clearly  shown  that 
Foxes  are  largely  responsible  for  the  Pheasants'  dimi- 
nution. When  these  birds  abounded  in  this  particu 
lar  locality,  preying  birds  and  mammals,  other  than 
Red  and  Gray  Foxes,  hunters  and  trappers  found  to  be 
fully  as  plentiful  as  they  now  are  when  the  Pheasants 
are  so  scarce.    Tlie  farmers  who  live  in  the  valleys 

25-n 


386 

that  separate  the  mountains  of  this  romantic  n'gion 
say  Foxes  have  increased  rapidly  and  their  destruc- 
tion of  domesticated  fowls,  younj,^  lambs,  and  occa- 
sionally young  pigs,  causes  individual  losses,  estimated 
to  be  from  five  (|5)  to  twenty-five  ($25)  per  farm.  These 
depredators  are  so  cunning  and  sly  that  even  tlie  most 
experienced  trapper  rarely  is  able  to  catch  one  in  any 
of  the  devices  no  matter  how  artfully  placed. 

TALKED  ABOUT  FOXES  AND  GOT  SOME  VOTES. 

Recently  I  met  a  man,  who  formerly  lived  in  the  lo- 
cality previously  referred  to,  and  as  we  traveled 
through  the  tangled  underbrush,  over  old  fields,  and 
across  disused  log  roads,  and  saw  on  the  snow  num- 
erous "signs"  of  Foxes,  we  met  three  farmers  who  had 
just  shot  a  Gray  Fox  which  they  were  skinning.  My 
companion  knew  the  men,  with  whom  politics  and 
Foxes  were  discussed  for  a  few  minutes,  then  we  sep- 
arated. As  the  dinner  gongs  were  sounding  in  the 
valley  below,  we  sat  down  to  lunch  at  a  spring  where 
a  bright-eyed  Weasel,  in  dark  coat,  peeped  at  us  for 
an  instant,  through  the  matted  roots  of  an  upturned 
tree. 

THE  WEASELS. 

My  companion  said: 

"If  you  had  been  ready  with  the  auxiliary  barrel  you  could 
have  had  that  animal.  It  is  one  of  the  smaller  of  the  two 
species  of  Weasels  that  we  have  in  these  parts.  This  inquisi- 
tive and  active  little  fellow  kills  rabbits  and  birds,  but  he 
catches  great  numbers  of  mice,  and  eats  insects,  and  probably, 
in  the  course  of  his  life,  does  more  good  than  harm.  The 
other  species — the  Common  Weasel — so  abundant  in  many  lo- 
calities and  found,  no  doubt,  all  over  the  State,  I  think  is  a 
nuisance  as  he  not  only  kills  game  but,  oftentimes,  cleans  out 
all  the  chickens  in  your  coops." 


387 


GOOD  FOXES  ARE  DEAD  FOXES. 

Seeing  that  I  was  interested  in  his  observations,  my 
companion  continued  and  spoke  about  as  follows: 

"During  the  last  forty  years  a  large  portion  of  my  time  has 
been  spent  in  lumber  camps  and  places  like  you  see  about  us. 
I  have  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  wild  animals,  and  am 
quite  farniliar  with  thair  haunts  and  curious  ways.  Some  of 
them  are,  through  a  lack  of  proper  knowledge,  often  most 
wrongfully  condemned,  but  Foxes  should  not  be  included  in 
this  abused  group.  Careful  observation  leads  me  to  say,  good 
Foxes  are  dead  Foxes,  but  their  skins,  if  the  animals  are  de- 
stroyed by  poison,  will  not  bring  the  highest  market  price;  and 
expert  fur-dealers  readily  recognize  the  ones  which  have  been 
killed  with  poison. 

"I  am  told  that  down  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia  people- 
but  surely  they  are  not  farmers — love  and  protect  the  Foxes, 
and  say  they  are  good  things  to  have  around  farms  to  destroy 
vermin.  I,  of  course,  don't  know  anything  aJbout  the  habits  of 
Foxes  which  live  down  there,  but  I  doubt  if  they  are  a  whit 
better  thai;  the  ones  you  an  hour  ago  heard  those  men  talk- 
ing about  in  such  harsh  terms. 

THEY  COULDN'T  UNDERSTAND. 

"You  rememiber,  I  smiled  and  winked  at  you,  but  said  noth- 
ing, when  'Andy'  talked  about  dead  Foxes  as  he  pulled  the 
Pheasant's  breast  meat  out  of  the  Fox's  stomach  you  asked 
him  to  cut  open;  and,  no  doubt,  you  call  to  mind  that  all  the 
men  said  they  couldn't  understand  why  it  was  that  four  or 
five  years  ago  a  man  with  a  pair  of  good  dogs  might  hunt  all 
day  and  never  start  a  Fox,  but  now,  if  all  the  'run-ways'  were 
covered  by  good  marksmen,  a  party  would  get  three  or  four 
in  a  day.  When  I  first  came  here,  about  fourteen  years  ago. 
Foxes  were  very  numerous,  and  when  I  fcund  they  killed  so 
many  Pheasants,  Wild  Turkeys  and  Rabbits,  as  well  as  all 
kinds  of  poultry,  and  sometimes  young  lam'bs,  I  tried  to  trap 
them  but  had  poor  success;  they  were  too  smart. 

VALUABLE  INFORMATION. 

"One  day  as  good  luck  would  have  it.  I  hired  a  man  who 
had  spent  much  of  his  time,  in  early  life,  with  trappers  in  the 
far   west.    He    suggested,    that   if  I    wanted    to   kill    Foxes,    it 


388 

could  easily  be  done  by  shooting-  some  sparrows,  charging  them 
with  strychnine,  and  placing  them  where  Foxes  rambled.  Be- 
fore beginning  this  (to  me)  new  mode  of  warfare  against  the 
cunning  Foxes  which  had  so  often  defeated  me  in  former  years, 
I  spent  about  a  week  shooting  sparrows,  and  I  took  some 
chickens'  heads,  and  nearly  twenty  tame  pigeons  which  I  shot, 
and  scattered  these  about  places  where  Foxes  loved  to  rove. 
These  birds  and  heads  were  not  poisoned;  they  were  only  put 
out  to  let  the  sly  robbers  learn  how  easily  they  could  get  a 
good  meal  by  coming  to  my  premises. 

ANDY,    IT    WAS     STRYCHNINE,'   NOT    DISEASE. 

"The  second  week  I  followed  the  man's  advice  and  soon  dead 
Foxes  were  found  scattered  around  over  the  mountains,  in 
fields;  generally,  however,  they  were  found  near  water.  The 
farmers  and  woodsmen  were  astonished  and  always  believed 
some  fatal  disease  had  attacked  these  animals.  I  followed  this 
plan,  every  season,  with  the  result  that  Foxes,  after  the  first 
two  years,  were  hardly  ever  seen. 

BIRDS  INCREASED. 

"The  Pheasants  increased  rapidly,  and  many  of  these  little 
ground  birds  which  you  know  by  different  names,  were  much 
more  plentiful  then  than  they  are  now.  Four  years  ago  I  left 
this  place;  no  more  Sparrows  were  put  out  for  wandering 
Foxes,  and,  you  see,  as  they  increase  Pheasants  decrease,  and 
the  Wild  Turkey  is  rarely,  if  ever,  seen  in  places  where  five 
years  ago  it  was  of  common  occurrence. 

HOW    TO    FIX    THEiM. 

"If  you  ever  want  to  destroy  Foxes  get  a  lot  of  Sparrows — 
English  Sparrows  are  worthless — and  open  the  belly,  pull  out 
the  insides,  then  put  in  the  cavity  as  much  strychnine  as  you 
can  hold  on  the  point  of  the  small  blade  of  an  ordinary  pocket 
knife,  then  push  the  entrails  back;  take  about  three  poisoned 
birds  and  put  them  in  a  place  together;  hang  them  on  a  low 
bush  or  twig,  lay  them  on  a  stump,  or  anywhere  in  the  Foxes' 
feeding  grounds,  away  from  human  habitation. 

WHAT  A  CHESTER  COUNTY  FARMER  BE'LIEVES. 

"Sometime  ago  you  sent  me  a  circular  asking  about  birds 
and  animals,    I  will  5«nd  you  some  memoranda  which  can,  if 


389 

they  are  worth  the  space,  be  used  in  your  books,  but  I  do  not 
care  to  have  my  name  go  with  them,  as  I  make  no  pretensions 
to  be  either  a  naturalist  or  a  writer. 

HAWKS   AND   OWLS. 

"There  are  several  kinds  of  Hawks  and  Owls  about  our  farm 
and  most  of  them  do  little  harm  because  they  live  chiefly  on 
Mice.  Of  course,  every  now  and  then  a  pair  of  big  Hoot  Owls 
(Great  Horned),  which  nest  in  February  in  the  woods,  come 
around  and  steal  some  chickens,  but  they,  too,  eat  Mice,  Kats, 
and  Rabbits,  all  of  which,  when  numerous,  are  a  nuisance. 
Then  there  are  two  varieties  of  slimly-built  Hawks,  with  long 
tails,  that  every  spring  are  very  troublesome  when  the  hens 
hatch  out  their  broods.  These  Hawks  will  sometimes  dash 
by  you  and  carry  off  a  young  chicken  under  your  very  eyes.  My 
son,  last  year,  shot  two,  and  the  taxidermist  who  stuffed  these 
birds  called  them  the  Cooper's  Hawk,  and  the  Sharp-shinned 
Hawk.  These  names  may  be  right  but  we  call  them  Chicken 
Hawks.  When  they  can  not  get  chickens  they  kill  birds  such 
as  the  Robin,  the  Lark,  the  Dove,  and  lots  more  of  smaller 
kinds  that  I  call  field  and  ground  chippies;  and  these  Hawks 
always  kill  Partridges  when  any  are  about,  but  won't  catch 
grasshoppers  and  Mice  as  the  little  Sparrow  Hawk  does.  They 
do  much  mischief  and  I  believe  should  be  killed. 

WEASELS,    SKUNK   AND   MINK. 

"When  the  Skunk  gets  in  the  habit  of  visiting  the  hen  roost 
or  stealing  eggs  he  had  better  be  dead  so  far  as  the  farmer 
and  poultry  raiser  are  concerned;  but  Skunks  generally,  I  be- 
lieve, would  rather  eat  grub-worms,  June-bugs,  grasshoppers, 
crickets,  other  kinds  of  insects  and  Mice.  When  these  can  be 
found  they  don't  often  come  about  to  rob  our  hens.  I  like  the 
Weasel  because  he  kills  so  many  Mice  and  Rabbits,  but  then 
he,  too,  frequently  comes  to  rob  us  of  poultry,  and  his  visits 
mean  the  death  of  many  fowls.  The  Mink  is  a  very  bad  neigh- 
bor. A  family  of  Minks  did  much  damage  to  our  fish  in  the 
pond  last  year,  and  killed  a  lot  of  ducks,  and  several  chickens; 
then  the  boys,  luckily  one  day,  found  the  Minks  in  their  nest 
under  an  old  building  near  the  dam,  and  they  killed  them  all. 
There  are  not  very  many  Minks  about  these  parts,  at  least,  1 
have  not  seen  or  heard  of  any  for  nearly  twelve  months  past. 
I  never  knew  the  Red  Squirrel  to  disturb  chickens  but  he  kills 
a  good  many  Robins  and  some  other  small  birds.  Rats  are 
great  poultry  thieves;  and  once  I  saw  a  Mouse  eating  a  chicken. 


390 

two  or  three  days  old,  which  I  believe  It  caught.  'Coons  and 
'Possums  both  catch  chickens,  but  neither  is  half  as  bad  in  this 
respect  as  the  Red  Fox. 

THE   FOX   A   TERROR. 

"This  wily  and  sagacious  animal  is  not  only  fond  of  chickens 
but  he  will  catch  ducks,  turkeys  and  geese  whenever  a  chance 
is  offered.  He  menaces  the  lives  and  happiness  of  all  birds 
which  brood  on  the  ground;  he  is  a  terror  and  most  adroit  in 
this  line  of  contemptible  plunder.  The  great  scarcity  of  Part- 
ridges (Quail)  in  this  and  neighboring  counties,  where  some 
years  ago  they  were  quite  abundant,  I  think  is  mainly  due  to 
the  Fox  devouring  the  eggs  and  young,  and  the  old  birds  too, 
if  he  can  catch  them.  However  it  may  be,  as  some  say,  that 
mowing  machines  have  been,  in  part,  the  cause  of  the  pleasing 
call  'Bob-White'  becoming  so  scarce;  but  as  already  stated  I 
blame  the  sharp-nosed  Fox  for  the  scarcity  of  the  plump, 
white-throated  whistler. 

EVERYBODY   KILLED  FOXES   THEN. 

"Sixty  years  ago,  when  I  was  a  boy,  everybody  killed  all  the 
Foxes  they  could;  they  were  usually  shot,  as  they  were  very 
hard  to  catch  in  traps.  About  ten  years  ago  one  of  our  boys 
bought  a  new  shot  gun,  and  early  one  bright  spring  morning 
when  the  birds  were  singing  their  sweet,  joyous  songs  of  praise 
to  the  Giver  of  all  that  is  good,  I  took  it  and  slowly  made  my 
way  through  the  dewy  grass,  behind  a  hedge  row,  to  some  rocks 
where  I  knew  a  family  of  Foxes  lived.  Reaching  the  place  I 
saw  an  old  Fox  and  five  young  ones,  about  half  grown,  devour- 
ing one  of  my  neighbor's  ducks.  I  shot  both  barrels  and  killed 
two  of  the  young,  and  the  rest  scampered  into  the  den  in  the 
rocks.  I  felt  well  satisfied  with  my  success  and  took  the  ani- 
mals down  to  the  house. 

HE  PLEAD  AND  ALMOST  CRIED  FOR  FOXES. 

"You  can  imagine  my  surprise  when  my  nephew,  a  young 
man  of  about  twenty,  nearly  cried  when  he  saw  the  dead  Foxes, 
which  he  said  he  had  paid  our  hired  man  to  watch  so  no  harm 
might  come  to  them.  He  told  me  how  they  destroyed  mice, 
caught  all  kinds  of  harmful  bugs,  hunted  grasshoppers,  and 
killed  Rabbits  which  consumed  the  cabbage  and  barked  young 
fruit  trees  when  deep  snows  covered  the  ground.  Finally  I 
promised  not  to  shoot  any  more  Foxes,  and  the  agreement  has 


891 

not  been  broken.  I  was  at  a  loss  to  understand  how  he  had 
become  so  impressed  with  the  good  deeds  which  he  attributed 
to  Foxes,  yet  seemed  to  know  nothing  of  their  evil  ways. 

■HOUNDS  AND  A  BOB-TAILED  HORSE. 

"Later  on  I  found  he  had  an  interest  in  a  pack  of  dogs,  which 
in  winter  season  he  followed  with  fancy  dress,  colored  like  the 
British  wore  at  the  Battle  of  Brandywine  where  some  of  his 
ancestors  died;  and  he  had  a  bob-tailed  saddle  horse,  that 
could  run  and  jump  the  fences.  When  I  was  young  we  didn't 
have  such  things,  but  times,  and  the  ways  of  people,  have 
changed  most  remarkably.  I  sometimes  think  as  I  learn  of 
baneful  results  of  many  of  these  changes  that  it  is  well  that 
my  eyes  have  grown  dim,  that  my  hands  have  lost  their 
cunning,  my  steps  become  tottery,  and  that  soon  I  shall  depart 
this  life  and  rest  in  peace,  love  and  contentment  with  my  God 
above.  Foxes  now  live  unmolested  on  the  farm  and  although 
they  often  take  chickens  or  ducks  I  never  complain,  as  the 
money  value  is  small,  probably  not  over  five  or  ten  dollars  a 
year  from  all  Foxes,  and  the  other  kinds  of  poultry-catching 
pests.  When  my  good  wife,  who  sleeps  in  the  church  yard  over 
the  hills,  and  I  began  life  ten  dollars  was  considered  a  good 
deal,  but  now  it  don't  seemi  to  be  valued  by  young  people,  par- 
ticularly if  some  one  else  earns  it,  and  gives  it  to  them  to 
spend.  A  boy  or  girl  rarely  appreciates  the  true  value  of  dol- 
lars,  unless   they  earn   them  by  honest  work. 

"T  hope  you  will  deal  fully  with  the  birds  and  animals,  and 
write  books  without  a  lot  of  big  Latin  names,  so  that  our  school 
children  can  read  them  and  know  more  about  the  true  relations 
that  these  creatures  have  in  the  broad  field  of  nature.  The 
lack  of  proper  information  about  insects,  birds,  animals  and 
plants  is  a  source  of  much  loss  to  those  who  engage  in  agricul- 
ture. 

HOW  HE  BEHAVES  ACROSS  THE  OCEAN. 

In  the  Old  AYoikl  Foxes  appear  to  be  just  as  bad  as 
they  are  ou  tliis  side  of  the  Atlantic.  Tlie  European 
Red  Fox,  eminent  writers  say,  has  no  specific  identity 
from  our  Red  Fox.  To  show  how  the  Fox  acts  in  other 
lands  the  following-  extracts  are  transcribed  from  Dr. 
Brdim's  Life  of  Animals: 


392 

"The  Fox  preys  on  all  animals  from  a  young  roe  to  a  beetle, 
but  principally  Mice.  *  *  *  He  spares  neither  old  or 
young,  and  zealously  pursues  Hares  and  Rabbits,  and  even  at- 
tacks young  roes  or  Deer.  He  not  only  plunders  the  nests  of 
all  birds  brooding  on  the  ground,  devouring  both  eggs  and 
young,  but  also  tries  to  overcome  the  old  birds,  and  not  infre- 
quently succeeds  in  doing  so.  He  swims  and  wades  through 
swamps  and  marshes,  in  order  to  reach  the  birds  which  brood  on 
the  water,  and  there  are  cases  on  record  where  he  has  killed 
brooding  Swans.  He  also  attacks  tame  poultry  and  effects  an 
entrance  into  isolated  farm-yards  at  night;  and  if  he  is  afforded 
a  good  cover,  he  pursues  the  poultry  even  in  broad  daylight. 
In  large  orchards  and  vineyards  he  is  a  more  frequent  visitor 
than  one  imagines.  There  he  catches  grasshoppers,  May-bugs 
and  their  grubs.  Rain-worms,  etc.,  or  gathers  sweet  pears, 
grapes  or  berries.  At  the  river  bank  he  tries  to  surprise  a  fine 
Trout  or  a  stupid  Crab;  at  the  sea-shore  he  empties  the  nets  of 
the  fishers;  in  the  forest  he  robs  the  nooses  spread  by  the  hun- 
ter. In  this  way  his  larder  is  always  well  stocked  and  he  be- 
comes straitened  in  circumstances  only  when  the  snow  is  very 
deep  and  impairs  his  opportunities.  Then  he  is  satisfied  with 
anything  edible,  not  only  with  carcasses,  which  he  will  feed 
upon  at  any  season  and  seems  to  like,  as  all  Canid^e  (dog  fam- 
ily) do,  but  even  with  an  old,  dried-out  bone  or  a  piece  of  half- 
rotten  leather.  Quite  frequently,  also,  he  visits  the  encamp- 
ments of  wood-choppers  to  pick  up  the  remains  of  their  repast. 
When  his  hunger  is  half  satisfied,  he  plays  long  and  cruelly 
with  his  prey  before  dispatching  it.  *  *  *  Only  the 
pangs  of  hunger  can  goad  him  into  reckless  actions;  but  when 
he  has  been  long  deprived  of  food  he  becomes  downright  im- 
pudent. In  broad  daylight  the  hungry  Fox  will  put  in  an  ap- 
pearance in  a  yard,  seize  upon  a  Chicken  or  Goose  before  peo- 
ple's very  eyes,  and  hasten  away  with  his  prey.  He  is  much 
averse  to  parting  with  the  booty  so  arduously  procured,  and  if 
he  is  compelled  to  relinquish  it,  he  repeatedy  returns  to  see 
whether  he  still  cannot  make  away  with  it.  The  same  bold- 
ness is  occasionally  displayed  by  him  under  circumstances 
calling  for  immediate  flight.  Once  a  Fox,  which  was  being 
hunted  by  hounds,  and  had  twice  heard  the  shot  buzzing  by, 
seized  a  sick  Hare  in  his  flight  and  carried  it  with  him  for  a 
considerable  distance.  Another  was  surrounded  in  a  field;  he 
came  out,  attacked  a  wounded  Hare,  killed  it  before  the  eyes 
of  the  huntsmen,  rapidly  buried  it  in  the  snow,  and  then  fled 
directly  through  the  line  formed  by  the  sportsmen." 


393 

THEY  DO  FAR  MORE  HARM  THAN  GOOD. 

Field  observation  and  post  moitem  examinations 
show  that  Foxes  unquestionably  do  far  more  harm 
than  good.  The  great  destruction  of  wild  birds  is,  I 
believe,  of  more  loss  to  agricultural  interests  than  the 
benefit  such  interests  receive  from  Foxes  catching  de- 
structive mammals,  grasshoppers  and  other  forms  of 
insect  life.  Foxes  not  only  destroy  all  kinds  of  song 
and  insect-eating  birds  and  eggs  they  can  get,  but  they 
consume  game  of  all  kinds — and  many  of  the  game 
birds,  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year  eat  harmful  in- 
sects. Advices  from  different  parts  of  our  State,  es- 
pecially in  some  of  western  counties,  show  that  Foxes 
kill  a  great  many  3'oung  lambs,  and  sometimes  destroy 
whole  litters  of  pigs;  this  means  a  loss  of  money  which, 
in  the  aggregate,  is  considerable  every  year.  The  de- 
struction of  all  kinds  of  domesticated  fowls  by  Foxes 
is  shown  on  succeeding  pages  to  be  a  serious  hindrance 
to  poultry  raisers.  There  is  little  doubt  that  Foxes — 
both  species — destroy  annually  many  thousands  of  dol- 
lars worth  of  poultry  in  Pennsylvania.  Gray  Foxes 
do  less  injury  to  poultry  interests  because  there  are 
less  of  them  in  our  State,  and,  as  a  rule,  they  seem  to 
prefer  to  stay  in  woods  and  thickets  away  from  the 
habitations  of  man.  The  Gray  Fox  seems  to  want  to 
keep  away  from  man's  improved  possessions,  and 
while  he  often  steals  the  poultry  of  farmers  about  the 
outskirts  of  the  dark  thickets  and  tangled  underbrush 
he  lives  in,  his  evil  work  consists  mainly  in  destroying 
beneficial  birds  and  game.  The  Gray  Fox  is  a  good 
traveler,  but  he  does  not,  when  searching  for  food,  it 
appears,  wander  over  so  much  territory  as  his  red- 
coated  relative.  In  the  southern  states  wheie  Gray 
Foxes  are  much  more  numerous  than  they  are  with 
25»--II 


394 

lis,  they  catch  hirge  numbers  of  Quails;  and  in  this 
State  Quail,  Wild  Turkey  and  Knifed  Grouse  or  Pheas- 
ants, and  their  nests,  are  destroiyed  by  the  sneaking 
gray-coated  deju'edators  whenever  they  can  surprise 
the  birds  or  find  their  carefully-concealed  homes. 


WHAT     FARMERS,    POULTRY     RAISERS     AND      SPORTS- 
MEN  SAY   A'BOUT   RED   AND   GTRAY   FOXES. 

HON.   N.    B.    CRITCHFIELD,    Jenners   Cross   Roads,    Somerset 
County: 

A  neighbor  had  a  flock  of  eighteen  turkeys,  consisting  of 
mother  I'en  and  seventeen  half-grown  ones,  destroyed  by  a 
Fox  in  one  night  during  last  summer.  It  was  believed  to  be  a 
Red  Fox  because  a  track  was  outlined  by  feathers  dropped  on 
the  way  for  a  distance  of  over  a  mile  into  a  piece  of  woodland 
where  it  could  be  plainly  seen  that  the  turkeys  were  dragged 
into  a  hole  under  a  ledge  of  rocks,  and  around  the  hole  were 
feathers  and  bones  of  other  fowls  that  had  been  taken.  The 
mother  Fox  may  have  had  help  from  the  paternal  occupant  of 
the  den,  but  of  that  we  cannot  be  certain.  On  the  second  morn- 
ing after  this  wholesale  destruction  my  attention  was  attracted 
by  the  vigorous  barking  of  a  Fox  at  a  spot  near  where  the  tur- 
keys were  when  they  were  taken  and  when  I  gave  his  foxship 
chase  he  went  directly  to  the  den  of  which  I  have  spoken.  We 
have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  they  are  detrimental;  the  Red 
is  much  more  common  and  destructive  than  the  Gray. 

A.  W.  OOLEGROVE,  Colegrove,  McKean  County: 

Both  Red  and  Gray  are  found  here.  Red  is  very  plentiful. 
They  are  very  destructive  to  game;  they,  with  the  Wildcats,  will 
exterminate  it  in  a  short  time  if  something  is  not  done  to  ex- 
terminate them.  A  large  portion  of  this  county  is  old  slashings 
and   bark   peelings   which   makes   an   ideal  haunt   for  them. 

E.   O.   AUSTIN,   Austin,   Potter  County: 

Both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes  are  plenty.  The  Red  predominating 
and  most  destructive  to  poultry.  The  Gray  and  Red  Samson 
Foxes  are  very  shy  of  clearings  and  all  prefer  small  wild  game, 
and  all  are  persistent  mousers;  either  kind,  as  well  as  the 
Wildcat,   will   kill   and  eat   the  Porcupine,   skinning  him   with 


395 

almost  a  single  snap  and  jerk.  They  occasionally  take  poul- 
try or  a  young  lamb,  but  I  consider  them  far  more  beneficial 
than  detrimental  to  the  farmer.  I  have  had  young  lambs 
carried  off  by  Foxes,  but  have  never  had  or  heard  of  calves 
being  injured  by  Cats  or  Foxes.  About  ten  years  ago  an  old 
she  Fox  was  so  persistent  after  a  weak  lamb  near  my  house 
that  she  would  not  be  frightened  away  and  I  was  compelled 
to  shoot  her. 

The  Mink,  Fox  and  Wildcat  will  attack  and  kill  turkeys, 
ducks,  geese  and  chickens.  The  Weasel  also  is  at  times  very 
destructive  to  poultry,  yet  people  often  take  great  trouble  to 
get  a  Weasel  to  put  in  their  barns  on  purpose  to  drive  away 
the  rats  and  mice.  The  Great  Horned  Owl  is  also  very  destruc- 
tive to  poultry,  especially  to  young  turkeys  and  chickens.  The 
Owl,  too,  is  probably  the  worst  of  any  creature  on  the  Pheasant 
or  Ruffed  Grouse.  It  matters  little  how  many  start  in  to 
winter,  the  Owls,  with  the  help  of  the  Fox,  will  diminish  their 
numbers  greatly  by  spring. 

A.  JUDSON   SMITH,   New   Millport,    Clearfield  County: 

Both  species  are  found  here,  but  the  Red  is  more  plentiful 
than  the  Gray,  and  the  Red  more  sly  and  destructive  than  the 
Gray.  They  are  not  numerous  enough  to  do  much  damage  to 
poultry,  although  I  lost  a  setting  turkey  hen  and  her  eggs  last 
season,  and  I  hear  of  some  others;  but  some  parties  here  claim 
they  are  beneficial  in  destroying  meadow  mice.  They  destroy 
Rabbits  and  while  we  do  not  grieve  over  that,  we  would  prefer 
they  leave  the  Pheasants  alone,  which  they  do  not  seem  dis- 
posed to   do. 

B.  ALEXANDER,   Conemaugh,   Cambria  County: 

We  have  both  species  and  both  deemed  equally  destructive 
to  poultry  and  game  and  small  birds.  Our  Grouse,  Rabbits  and 
Quail  are  almost  exterminated  by  the  depredations  of  these 
animals.  Many  complaints  from  farmers  about  destruction  of 
fowls  and  young  lambs.  These  animals  are  very  numerous 
since  the  removal  and  refusal  of  our  commissioners  to  pay  the 
bounty. 

E.   P.  CAMPBELL.,  West  Pittston,   Luzerne  County: 

Both  kinds  are  here:  Red  most  common.  Killed  three  young 
and  two  old  Foxes;  the  male  was  red  and  full  grown,  the  fe- 
male gray;  these  were  the  dam  and  sire  of  three  pups;  they  are 


:',0(; 

as  strongly  marked  a  cross  gray  and  red  as  I  ever  saw;  I  ex- 
amined the  stomach  of  one  of  the  two-thirds  grown  pups  and 
it  contained  Field  Mice  and  remains  of  Pheasants. 

GEO.  \V.  HILL,  Media,  Delaware  County: 

I  have  lived  on  or  been  interested  in  some  farm  in  Delaware 
county  for  sixty-five  years  and  have  noticed  particularly  the 
habits  of  Red  Foxes  and  believe  them  to  be  beneficial  to  the 
farmer.  Many  of  our  best  farmers  are  of  our  opinion,  and 
will  not  suffer  them  destroyed  or  disturbed.  It  is  true  where 
they  have  pups  they  will  occasionally  take  chickens,  but  never 
until  the  stock  of  Groundhogs,  Muskrats  and  Mice  are  ex- 
hausted. I  have  known  them  to  carry  Groundhogs  and  Musk- 
rats  one-half  mile  to  their  young  and  have  watched  them  catch 
Mice  and  pile  them  up  eight  or  ten  in  a  heap  after  they  had 
eaten  all  they  wanted,  and  verily  believe  by  destroying  these 
animals  they  more  than  pay  for  all  the  poultry  they  eat.  "We 
have   no   Gray   Foxes. 

DR.  J.   E.   CLEVELAND,  Canton.  Bradford  County: 

We  have  the  Red,  Gray  and  Cross  Fox.  The  first  quite  com- 
■mon  and  all  equally  destructive  in  proportion  to  their  num- 
bers. Foxes  destroy  a  great  many  Field  Mice  and  not  a  few 
Woodchucks;  but,  on  the  whole,  I  believe  them  detrimental 
to  the  farmer. 

When  a  boy  on  my  father's  farm  I  went  to  a  back  pasture  to 
drive  home  the  sheep;  as  I  got  in  sight  of  the  flock  they  were 
huddled  together  and  looking  towards  the  woods;  I  soon  dis- 
covered the  cause  of  their  fright.  A  Fox  was  making  towards 
the  woods  as  fast  as  his  burden  would  let  him.  The  farm  dog 
gave  chase  and  the  Fox  dropped  his  prey  and  scampered  off.  I 
found  a  lamib  still  bleeding  that  the  Fox  was  carrying  off.  The 
sheep  had  dropped  the  lamb  that  day  but  it  was  large  and 
had  apparently  been  on  its  feet  and  nursed.  Several  lambs  had 
disappeared  mysteriously.  Several  days  after  while  hunting  for 
drummers  (no  game  laws  then),  I  found  a  hollow  log  with  feath- 
ers of  Geese  and  Turkeys,  skulls  of  Woodchucks  and  bits  of  lamb 
skin  with  the  wool  on  scattered  around.  I  stopped  up  the  end  of 
the  log  with  stones,  secured  help  and  an  axe  and  took  out  of 
the  log  the  mother  Fox  and  five  whelps.  I  hear  complaints 
every  year  from  the  farmers  among  whom  I  practice  of  their 
losing  poultry.  Grown  and  half  grown  fowls  are  usually  taken 
in  the  day  time  and  by  Foxes.    If  a  large  number  of  fowls  are 


397 

taken  from  a  neighborhood  a  search  generally  reveals  a  den 
of  young  Foxes  with  abundant  evidence  of  where  the  lost 
poultry  has  gone.  Chicks  that  are  destroyed  at  night  are 
generally  at  roost  near  the  farm  buildings  where  a  Fox  dare 
not  come.  A  steel  trap  usually  proves  the  marauder  to  be  a 
Skunk.  Last  summer  one  of  my  patrons  complained  of  losing 
hens  eggs  and  blamed  the  domestic  cat.  I  took  an  egg  and 
with  the  sharp  point  of  a  knife  made  a  small  hole  in  one  end 
of  it  and  worked  in  a  grain  or  so  of  strychnine  and  requested 
it  to  be  put  in  the  nest  after  the  hens  had  gone  to  roost,  and 
to  be  looked  after  early  in  the  morning.  The  egg  disappeared 
and  a  full  grown  Skunk  was  found  dead  a  few  rods  from  the 
hen  house.     Rats  destroy  the  eggs  of  poultry. 

RANDALL  BISBING,  Minsi,  Monroe  County: 

We  have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes.  They  occasionally  take 
a  chicken  or  turkey  for  a  change,  but  they  fairly  earn  them 
by  catching  large  quantities  of  bugs  and  beetles  and  grasshop- 
pers. Yet  I  believe  if  the  bounty  was  taken  off  their  heads  they 
would  become  so  plentiful  that  they  would  be  a  great  detriment 
to  poultry  raisers.  I  have  caught  Foxes,  Minks,  Skunks,  Opos- 
sum, Wildcats  and  Weasels  in  the  act  of  killing  poultry.  Can- 
not remember  the  number  killed.  Foxes  as  a  rule  kill  but  one 
bird  at  a  time  and  carry  it  away  if  they  have  young  to  feed. 
They  will  come  for  chickens  every  day  or  every  other  day. 
A  friend  had  ten  young  turkeys  taken  by  Foxes  this  last  sum- 
mer; he  found  the  family  house  and  dug  out  two  young  ones, 
Red  and  one  Cross  Bar,  and  this  confirms  a  theory  of  mine 
that  the  Cross  Bar  Fox  is  only  a  freak  of  nature.  The  Mink 
and  Weasel  will  kill  from  one  to  a  dozen  fowls  at  a  time,  and  I 
think  the  Weasel  is  the  most  destructive  to  poultry  and  Rab- 
bits, yet  they  prefer  Rats  to  Chickens,  and- won't  kill  the  latter 
as  long  as  Rats  are  plenty. 

P.    FRANK    RANGLER,    Lewisburg,    Union    County:      ' 

I  consider  the  Fox  the  worst  enemy  to  our  game  birds.  Near 
the  close  of  the  last  season  I  was  hunting  Pheasants  along  the 
"White  Deer  Creek"  well  up  in  the  mountains,  when  just  at 
evening  I  shot  a  fine  bird  that  fell  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  creek,  and  as  I  could  not  cross  the  creek  without  walking 
at  least  a  mile  or  get  wet,  I  concluded  to  let  the  bird  go  until 
morning,  when  I  would  hunt  that  side  of  the  creek.  The  next 
morning  I  started  with  the  assurance  of  having  at  least  one 
dead    bird    to   begin   with,    but    what   was    my    disappointment 


398 

when  coming  to  wheie  I  had  ^marked  the  bird — only  to  find  a 
lot  of  feathers — a  Fox  having  claimed  the  other  share  during 
the  night.  There  being  several  inches  of  snow  I  saw  that  this 
fellow  had  left  his  trail  at  least  thirty  yards — went  straight  to 
the  dead  bird  and  after  devouring  it  returned  by  the  same  track 
to  the  old  road  and  went  up  on  the  mountain.  Now  then,  if  a 
Fox  can  scent  a  dead  bird  that  distance  how  many  Pheasants  do 
you  suppose  one  Fox  will  kill  in  a  year?  and  how  about  the 
young  birds  that  cannot  fly  or  protect  themselves  at  all?  Foxes 
destroy  a  great  many  Turkeys,  Chickens  and  Ducks  for  our 
farmers.  Both  species  of  Foxes  are  found  in  this  and  neigh- 
boring counties,  but  the  Red  Fox  is  the  most  numerous.  The 
Gray  Fox  don't  often  come  about  farm  buildings,  but  he 
catches  all  the  poultry  he  can  which  wanders  near  his  fav- 
orite haunts  in  the  woods  and  slashings,  he  devours  large 
numbers  of  ground-nesting  bir3s  and  is  probably  as  bad  as 
the  Red  Fox  in  destroying  Pheasants.  I  certaijily  favor  a 
bounty  for  the  heads  of  these  cunning  rascals. 

J.  H.   DAVIS,  Water  Street,  Huntingdon  County: 

We  have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  the  former  is  the  most 
common.  The  Fox  and  Polecat  have  often  taken  whole  broods 
of  chickens  from  us;  the  Polecats  come  within  three  rods  of  the 
house  and  interview  the  occupants  of  the  coop. 

HON.  CHAS.  LUHR,   St.  Mary's,  Elk  County: 

We  have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes,  and  the  Red  predomin- 
ate. They  will  visit  very  often  the  hen  roosts  and  are  very 
bad  about  destroying  game,  especially  Pheasants  and  Rabbits. 
Both   detrimental. 

J.  R.  LEHMAN,  Warrior's  Mark,  Huntingdon  County: 

We  have  both  Gray  and  Red  Foxes.  The  Red  is  the  most 
common  and  destructive  to  chickens  and  turkeys.  Consider 
both   kinds   detrimental   to   the    farmer. 

HON.   P.   M.   LYTLE,  Huntingdon  County: 

Both  Red  and  Gray  occur  here.  Red  species  is  the  most 
common  and  most  destructive  to  game  and  poultry.  Both 
kinds  are  detrimental  to  the  farmer. 

L.  WELLS,  Wyalusing,   Bradford  County: 

Both  kinds  found  here.  Red  is  most  destructive  to  poultry, 
because  it   is  more  numerous  than  the  Gray.    Both  kinds  de- 


399 

vour  a  great  deal  of  game  and  catch  some  Mice.    Consider  them 
detrimental. 

FRED.   L.    KRAEMER,   Williamsport,   Lycoming  County: 

We  have  both  the  Red  and  Gray  Foxes  in  our  county.  The 
Red  is  the  most  common  and  destructive  in  our  neighborhood. 

P.  S.   STOVER,  Lavonia,   Centre  County: 

We  can  hardly  raise  turkeys  at  my  place  because  of  the 
Foxes;  we  have  to  watch  them  nearly  all  day  in  summer. 

DR.  A.  D.  JOHNSTON,  Allegheny: 

We  still  have  the  Red  Fox,  thanks  to  his  superior  cunning. 
They  are  not  very  abundant.  They  do  help  themselves  to  the 
farmer's  chickens  occasionally.  No  bounty  should  be  paid 
for  them.  The  sportsman  will  take  care  of  them  that  they  do 
not  become  too  abundant. 

W.    C.    BABCOCK,    Blossburg,    Tioga   County: 

Red  Foxes  are  plenty,  the  Gray  scarce;  very  destructive  to 
game.  Are  detrimental  to  farmers  because  they  destroy  so 
much  poultry.  They  catch  a  good  many  Mice  and  some  insects 
also. 

ABNER  FAOUE,  Picture  Rocks,  Lycoming  County: 

I  have  known  Wildcats  to  kill  young  Deer  and  Foxes  to  kill 
young  lambs.  The  Red  Fox  is  most  common  and  destructive 
to  poultry  of  all  kinds.  Both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes  are  great 
destroyers  of  game,  and  they  also  consume  large  numbers  of 
small  song  birds.  They  are  very  bad  tenants  on  the  farm.  The 
Mice  and  other  enemies  we  have  which  Foxes  catch  do  not 
compensate  farmers  and  poultry  raisers  for  fowls  they  lose 
by   the  Foxes'  cunning  raids. 

W.   H.    HERBERTSON,   Brownsville,   Fayette   County: 

I  often  see  where  Foxes  have  got  in  their  work  on  both  do- 
mestic fowls  and  game  birds.  Foxes  and  Hawks  are  our 
worst  enemies  in  this  section  and  we  kill  all  that  we  can,  and 
the  Gun  Club  has  been  paying  fifty  cents  per  head  on  all 
killed  within  six  miles  of  our  town. 


400 

A.   P.   YOUNG.   Millville,   Columbia  County: 

Have  had  Turkeys  and  Chickens  on  different  occasions  taken 
by  Foxes;  Skunks  will  rob  nests.    There  should  be  a  bounty  on 

Foxes. 

DAVID   COPE,   Leonard,    Chester   County: 

Red  Fox  rather  common  and  I  consider  this  animal  detrimen- 
tal to  the  farmer. 

F.  H.  FASSETT,  Meshoppen,  Wyoming  County: 

Red  Fox  common.  Gray  Fox  rather  scarce.  Both  are  detri- 
mental; they  destroy  poultry,  game  and  song-  birds  which  brood 
on  the  ground. 

OAPT.     JOHN     M.     BUCKALEW,     Fishing     Creek,     Columbia 
County: 

Foxes,  Minks  and  Weasels  all  destroy  poultry.  Have  many 
times  found  feathers  and  bones  of  domestic  fowls  at  dens  of 
Foxes;  also  have  seen  both  Foxes  and  Minks  carrying  off 
poultry. 

Red  Foxes  and  occasionally  Gray  are  found  here.  Red  com- 
mon and  quite  destructive  to  game  and  song  birds  and  their 
nests.  Gray  believed  to  be  quite  as  much  so,  as  he  is  inclined 
to  climb. 

H.   K.   MENSCH,   Muncy  Station,  Lycoming  County: 

Foxes  have  destroyed  many  Turkeys  and  Chickens  for  me  and 
my  neighbors. 

W.  F.  WAGNER,  Coalport,  Clearfield  County: 

Both  kinds  are  here,  the  Red  Fox  most  common.  Both  spe- 
cies are  detrimental  to  the  farmer.  They  destroy  a  large  amount 
of  poultry  and  are  persistent  hunters  of  game.  Pheasants  and 
all  birds  which  build  on  the  ground  are  destroyed  by  Foxes. 

A.   W.   WRIGHT,   Colfax,    Huntingdon   County: 

Have  known  Foxes  on  different  occasions  to  kill  lambs,  and 
know  of  numerous  instances  where  he  caught  Chickens  and 
Turkeys.  Weasels  often  destroy  poultry— Turkeys  as  well  as 
Chickens.  Foxes,  both  Gray  and  Red,  are  certainly  very  detri- 
mental to  farmers.  They  destroy  many  broods  of  the  Wild 
Turkey,  and  Pheasants  are  one  of  their  main  articles  of  diet. 


401 

PROF.    H.    T.    FERNAL.D,    State    College,    Centre   County: 

Both  species  are  found  about  here,  but  the  Red  Fox  is  much 
more  plentiful  than  the  Gray.  They  do  much  damage  t»  poul- 
try and  game. 

TQWNSEND  PRICE,   Canadensis,    Monroe   County: 

Foxes  and  Minks  catch  a  good  many  Chickens  and  Ducks. 
Skunks  and  Foxes  destroy  eggs.  Foxes  do  a  great  deal  of 
damage  to  game  interests  by  devouring  so  many  Pheasants  and 
Rabbits. 

J.   E.   HADLOBAUGH.   Patterson,   Pa.: 

We  have  both  the  Red  and  Gray  Fox;  consider  them  detri- 
mental  to  farmers. 

SAMUEL  M.  DOWNS,  Mauch  Chunk,  Carbon  County: 

Have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes.  Gray  is  the  most  common 
and  destructive  to  game  and  poultry.  I  consider  both  kinds 
detrimental  to  the  farmer. 

I.   D.  HOWETL/L. 

Foxes,  Red  and  Gray,  are  quite  plentiful  and  increasing;  since 
the  premium  for  killing  is  stopped  there  is  no  inducement  to 
hunters  to  capture  them.  The  Fox  is  ever  prowling  round  im- 
proving every  chance,  and  is  very  bold  and  daring.  Several  of 
my  neighbors  last  year  lost  their  hatching  Turkeys  and  the 
whole  brood  by  a  Fox;  a  few  daj'S  ago  a  neighboring  farmer 
had  one  killed  in  sight  of  his  house  by  a  Fox.  The  Fox  occa- 
sionally carries  off  a  Lamb;  would  steal  all  of  them  but  for  the 
old  dam  that  is  usually  on  guard.  Last  spring  a  year  ago, 
there  were  some  fifty  Foxes  caught  in  this  section  by  three  hun- 
ters.    The  Red  Fox  is   the  worst. 

M.  C.  OSBORN,  Henderson,  Mercer  County: 

We  have  some  Red  Foxes,  but  they  are  no  good  to  the  farmer; 
I  think  they  hunt  Mice  and  young  Rabbits,  but  the  farmer 
can  get  along  without  them. 

THOS.   B.   DARLINGTON,   West  Chester,   Chester   County: 

Foxes  are  more  plenty  than  welcome  and  farmers  who  are 
not  hunters  would  be  glad  if  there  was  not  a  Fox  in  the  county; 

26--n 


402 

they  take  a  great  deal  of  poultry  and  birds  as  anyone  may  see 
by  groing  to  a  den  when  they  have  a  litter  of  young  to  feed; 
it  has  been  my  opinion  for  a  long  time  that  they  destroy  a  lot 
of  Partridges  while  roosting  on  the  ground  at  night;  they  also 
catch  the  Redwing  Blackbird  and  other  species  which  nest  on 
or  near  the  ground. 

DR.  A.  B.  MacCREA,  Berwick,  Oolumibia  County: 

Both  kinds  here;  Red  common;  they  are  destructive  to  poultry 
in  the  back  districts.     They  are  very  detrimental  to  game. 

ALFRED  SHARIPIjESS,  West  Chester,  Chester  County: 

Foxes  are  rather  plenty  and  no  doubt  carry  away  many 
Chickens,  Ducks  and  Geese  that  cannot  be  accounted  for  from 
the  farmer's  flocks.  His  presence  here  is  a  nuisance  because 
of  his  bringing  out  sportsmen  and  dogs  who  daily  traverse  the 
country  throwing  down  and  destroying  fences  in  their  reckless 
pursuit  of  him.     A   bounty  should  be  placed  on  his  scalp. 

J  AS.   S.  NBASE,  Washington,  Washington  County: 

The  Red  Fox  only  is  found  here.  Destroys  some  Rabbits 
and  occasionally  Ruffed  Grouse  and  Quail.  Foxes  destroy  bum- 
ble bees,  yellow  jackets  and  Mice.  I  consider  them  to  be  bene- 
ficial to  the  farmer. 

GEO.  MONTGOMERY,  Washington,  Washington  County: 

A  farmer  who  lives  in  the  western  extremity  of  this  county 
told  me  he  had  nineteen  Turkeys  killed  by  Foxes  last  fall.  Do 
not  know  of  any  Gray  Foxes  in  this  county.  The  Red  Fox  is 
very  destructive  to  game  and  poultry,  and  has  been  known  to 
steal  a  whole  litter  of  young  Pigs.  They  kill  a  great  many  Field 
Mice,  but  I  think  they  might  be  classed  as  detrimental  to  the 
farmer. 

JOSIAH  PILE,  New  Lexington,   Somerset  County: 

We  have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  the  Red  is  the  most 
common  and  destructive.  I  consider  both  species  detrimental 
to  the  farmer. 

E.   B.   HOSTETLER,   Kingswood,    Somerset   County: 

We  have  Foxes,  both  Red  and  Gray.  They  will  kill  Lambs, 
Chickens,  Turkeys,  Pheasants,   Rabbits,  etc. 


4o:? 

W.   J.   STTJL.L,   Coalport,   ClearHera  County: 

We  have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  the  Gray  are  very 
rare,  the  Red  more  common  and  destructive  to  poultry  and 
game.    I  consider  Foxes  detrimental  to  the  farmer. 

JOHN  KELLOW,  Carley  Brook,  Wayne  County: 

The  times  are  so  numerous  where  I  have  personally  suffered 
from  the  depredations  of  the  Red  Fox  that  I  cannot  detail  them. 
Every  year  we  lose  from  five  to  twenty  Turkeys  by  them.  Three 
years  ago  I  lost  eleven  out  of  a  flock  of  twenty  Turkeys,  and  in 
the  daytime  while  the  workmen  in  a  neighboring  hay  field  were 
looking  on.  The  Turkeys  were  catching  grasshoppers  in  a  pas- 
ture lot  adjoining  the  hayfield,  but  at  some  distance  from  the 
men;  there  was  a  woods  close  to  the  pasture,  and  when  the 
Foxes  attacked  them  they  flew  in  every  direction.  It  was  near 
evening.  As  soon  as  the  workmen  told  us  we  went  for  them  and 
recovered  four  or  flve  before  dark;  the  next  morning  we  found 
four  or  five  in  the  trees;  in  all  we  got  nine  out  of  twenty. 
Sometimes  the  Foxes  will  find  a  hen  Turkey  sittting  on  a  nest 
of  eggs,  when  they  take  both  Turkey  and  eggs.  I  could  tell 
of  scores  of  their  depredations.  It  would  take  a  ream  of  paper 
to  detail  all  of  the  mischief  of  the  red  devils. 

JEREMIAH   PHILLIPS,   Garrett,    Somerset   County: 

Three  years  ago,  right  in  our  neighborhood,  there  were  about 
100  young  Foxes  caught  for  premiums,  and  if  they  had  made 
their  escape  the  farmers  could  not  have  raised  any  Lambs  or 
poultry.  One  spring  there  was  a  den  of  a  Fox  close  by  my  fath- 
er's, and  he  caught  about  sixty  Turkeys  and  probably  twice 
as  many  Chickens  in  the  neighborhood.  One  Sunday  we  heard 
a  racket  among  our  hens.  'My  father  walked  out  to  see  what 
was  v;rong,  and  there  was  a  Fox  going  for  them.  He  went 
back  to  the  house,  got  his  rifle  and  shot  him;  he  had  killed 
eight  chickens.  I  could  name  several  cases  like  this.  I  have 
on  several  occasions  found  dens  which  were  well  filled  with  the 
remains  of  poultry,  Pheasants,  small  song  birds  and  Lambs. 

SAMUEL  BOTHELL,   Shelocta,   Indiana  County: 

Both  species  occur  here;  about  eight  Red  to  one  Gray.  They 
both  are  very  detrimental;  they  thin  out  Rabbits  as  nothing 
but  a  very  hard  winter  will  do. 

Have  personal  knowledge  of  Foxes  carrying  off  young  Lambs, 
A  few  years  ago  I  lost  eight;  they  take  them  any  age  under 


404 

three  weeks.     Crows  will  kill  very  young  Lambs  by  picking  their 
eyes  out. 

I  have  personal  knowledge  of  most  all  domesticated  fowls 
being  killed,  ca^rried  off  and  injured  by  Foxes,  Minks  and 
Hawks.  Last  summer  a  Fox  reared  its  young  within  half  a 
mile  of  our  poultry  yard,  and  they  carried  off  for  us  from 
twelve  to  thirty  full  grown  Chickens  during  the  daytime.  We 
saw  them  several  times.  A  few  years  ago  we  lost  seventeen 
half-grown  Chickens  in  one  night,  presumably  by  a  Mink — any- 
way by  a  blood  sucking  animal.  I  have  often  noticed  Crows  de- 
stroying young  birds,   their  eggs  and   the  eggs  of  fowls. 

A.   C.   SISSON,   La  Plume,  Lackawanna  County: 

Foxes,  both  Red  and  Gray  are  found  here;  Red  the  most 
common  and  destructive  to  poultry  and  game;  they  are  no 
benefit  to  the  farmer,  but  detrimental.  Foxes  occasionally  take 
young  Lambs. 

JAMES    THOMAS,    Curwensville,   Clearfield   County: 

Foxes,  both  Red  and  Gray  are  very  destructive  and  very 
plentiful,  destroying  poultry  and  game;  also  carry  away  young 
Lambs,    and   are   highly  detrimental   to   the  farmer. 

HARRY  WILSON,  Gum  Tree,  Chester  County: 

I  have  never  seen  any  but  the  Red  Fox  in  Chester  county.  I 
have  seen  this  Fox  catch  grown  hens  in  daytime.  I  once  saw 
a  Fox  catch  a  hen  which  owing  to  her  weight  he  was  unable 
to  carry;  the  Fox  after  dragging  it  a  short  distance  took  the 
hen  by  the  head,  threw  it  across  his  body  over  the  shoulders 
and  ran  with  its  head  to  one  side.  It  is  generally  believed  that 
Foxes  live  in  holes,  but  I  have  more  than  once  come  upon  them 
in  daytime  sleeping  curled  up  dog  fashion  in  fence  corners;  so 
I  believe  except  as  a  refuge,  and  during  breeding  season,  and 
while  the  litter  is  yet  young.  Foxes  do  not  live  in  holes.  I  do 
not  believe  that  Foxes  are  more  detrimental  to  farmers  than 
beneficial.  They  destroy  a  vast  amount  of  Field  Mice.  I  have 
never  had  a  Fox  visit  my  hen  roost  or  poultry  yard  except  when 
they  had  a  litter.  I  have  on  two  occasions  seen  a  Fox  chase 
sheep,  but  in  both  cases  as  the  sheep  ran  to  buildings,  the  Fox 
gave  up  the  chase.  I  once  dug  out  a  litter  of  young  Foxes  for 
the  Fox  bounty;  there  were  five  in  the  hole.  I  found  along  the 
passage  way  leading  to  main  burrow  two  pockets  or  recesses, 
in  the  side  of  the  hole;  both,  like  the  nest,  were  lined  with  dried 


405 

grass,   and    contained   Chicken   feathers,   bird   feathers,    Rabbit 
fur,   bones  and  a  much  decomposed  Weasel. 

DR.   L.  W.  SCHNATTERLiY,  Freeport,  Armstrong  County: 

Both  species  occur  here;  the  Red  most  common  and  destruc- 
tive to  poultry.  They  destroy  a  great  many  broods  of  young 
Quail  and   Pheasants.    Both   kinds   destroy   young   Lambs. 

GEORGE  W.   CHAMBERS,   Mifflinburg,  Union   County: 

We  have  the  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  the  Red  the  most  com- 
mon; the  Gray  stay  more  on  the  mountains,  but  the  Red  ones 
come  into  the  valleys  and  live  among  the  rocks,  where  they 
are  safe.  They  do  considerable  damage,  and  are  the  most  de- 
structive to  poultry  and  game  on  account  of  their  roving  dis- 
position. A  few  years  ago  an  old  Fox  made  her  home  in  a 
piece  of  timber  not  far  from  my  home.  Turkeys  that  were 
hatching  out  in  the  field  were  killed.  We  tried  to  find  her  but 
could  not  until  a  little  snow  fell,  when  one  evening  we  found 
a  hollow  tree  in  which  we  supposed  she  had  some  young  hid; 
being  late,  we  concluded  we  would  wait  until  morning,  and  that 
night  the  snow  melted.  In  the  morning  we  cut  down  the  tree, 
but  she  had  taken  them  away  in  the  night.  The  tree  was  filled 
up  with  Turkey  and  Chicken  bones.  They  destroy  many  Quail 
and  Pheasants.  I  do  not  think  that  the  Fox  scalp  act  should  be 
repealed,  for  they  would  become  so  plentiful  as  to  become  a 
great  nuisance  to  farmers. 

F.   J.   WAGENSELLER,   M.    D.,    Selinsgrove,   Snyder  County: 

We  have  both  the  Red  and  Gray  Fox;  the  Red  is  the  most 
common  and  the  most  destructive  to  game  and  poultry.  I  con- 
sider them  detrimental  to  the  farmer,  and  one  of  the  chief 
causes  of  the  decrease  of  game. 

W.  R.  PARK,   Athens,   Bradford  County: 

Both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes  are  present,  but  Red  most  plenti- 
ful and  destructive  to  game.  Would  consider  them  detrimental 
to  farmers  in  many  ways. 

F.    M.   McKEiE'HAN,   Ferguson,   Perry  County: 

Foxes  are  common,  but  few  Gray  ones;  ordinarily  Foxes  do 
not  do  much  harm  to  poultry,  but  destroy  much  wild  game. 
When   they  have  their  den  of  young  the  old  she  one  becomes 


406 

very  bold.  A  gentleman  told  me  last  spring  a  Fox  made  a  raid 
on  his  poultry  nearly  every  morning-.  He  was  on  the  lookout  for 
it;  when  he  saw  it  coming  he  ran  for  his  rifle,  when  the  lady 
of  the  house  cried  out  "the  Fox!"  The  Fox  then  turned  and 
ran  for  an  old  hen,  never  stopping;  but  as  he  grabbed  the  hen, 
he  shot;  the  Fox  ran  on,  the  hen  rose  and  flew  to  barn  dropping 
dead;  the  Fox  had  bitten  her  in   the  head. 

Mr.  Isaac  Orwan,  who  has  given  considerable  thought  and 
attention  to  our  mammals,  says,  when  in  Northumberland 
county,  he  found  a  den  of  Foxes  around  which  were  pelts  and 
bones  of  Lambs.  A  Mr.  Park  residing  near  there  had  lost  about 
fifteen  Lambs.  Another  time  he  found  a  den  where  a  Weasel 
had  just  been  caught  and  brought  in.  He  has  frequently  found 
dens  where  there  were  plenty  of  poultry  feathers. 

JASPER  T.  JENNINGS,  New  Milford,  Susquehanna  County: 

The  Fox  often  destroys  Partridges  and  other  kinds  of  game, 
and  is  probably  more  of  an  enemy  to  the  hunter  and  sports- 
man than  he  is  to  the  farmer. 

AARON  WEIDNER,   Arendtsville,  Adams  County: 

We  have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  the  Gray  are  the  most 
common  and  destructive  to  game  and  poultry.  I  consider  both 
detrimental  to   the  farmer. 

C.  P.   MOTT,   Milford,  Pike  County: 

Foxes  are  quite  numerous,  but  their  natural  food  of  Squirrels, 
Rabbits,  Birds,  Mice,  Moles,  etc.,  so  nearly  furnish  their  wants 
that  their  slaughter  of  poultry  near  clearings  and  habitations 
are  infrequent.  They,  like  the  Weasel,  Mink,  Wildcat  and 
Groundhog,  appear  to  have  no  usefulness  to  compensate  for 
their  depredations  and  should  go. 

JOHN   F.    THOMAS,    Carrolltown,    Cambria   County: 

Foxes  are  known  to  be  destructive  to  all  smaller  game,  par- 
ticularly Rabbits  and  Ruffed  Grouse  (when  hatching)  as  well 
as  to  the  Quail.  We  have  in  this  county  both  Red  and  Gray 
Foxes,  but  the  Red  predominates  and  is  the  most  destructive. 
I  think  the  Fox  (either  kind)  highly  detrimental  as  regards  the 
preservation  of  our  game. 

H.   C.  KNOUSE,  Swales,  Juniata  County: 

Gray  Foxes  are  rare;  Red  Fox  is  a  great  enemy  of  both  poul- 
try and   game;  they  depredate  in   day  time  and   make  bold  to 


407 

come  close  to  the  house;  but  the  greatest  damage  they  do  is 
among  Turkeys,  since  Turkeys  take  a  wide  range  and  are 
therefore   more   exposed. 

C.  W.   DICKINSON,  Norwich,   McKean  County: 

Have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes  in  this  county,  but  the  Red 
is  the  most  common.  They  do  but  little  damage  to  poultry; 
they  catch  a  good  many  Rabbits  and  Partridges  and  many 
kinds  of  small  birds.  I  think  the  Fox  does  as  much  good  as  he 
does  damage,  for  I  know  he  catches  a  good  many  Squirrels, 
Woodchucks  and  Field  Mice.  The  Fox  is  a  great  hunter.  I  have 
seen  an  old  she  Fox  with  five  Mice  in  her  mouth  at  one  time 
that  she  was  carrying  to  her  young.  I  have  seen  a  Fox  with 
four  Chipmunks  (Ground  Squirrels)  in  her  mouth  at  once, 
therefore  I  certainly  think  the  Fox  does  more  good  than  dam- 
age to  the   farmer. 

I  have  known  of  Foxes  killing  Turkeys,  Geese  and  Chickens; 
a  Fox  killed  five  setting  Turkeys  for  me  in  a  single  season  and 
devoured  all  the  eggs.  The  Turkeys  were  sitting  on  101  egg.s  in 
the  five  nests.  I  saw  the  Fox  tracks  in  the  soft  ground  around 
four  of  the  nests  and  found  where  the  Fox  had  carried  some 
of  the  Turkeys  to  its   den  for  its  young. 

GEO.  M.  DAY,  Dybcrry,  Wayne  County: 

Mr.  H.  W.  Adams,  two  years  ago  lost  nearly  100  chickens, 
mostly  by  Foxes.  Red  Fox  is  most  common  here.  I  have  paid 
bounty  on  seventy-two  Foxes  this  fall  and  winter;  sixty-nine 
Red  and  three  Gray  Foxes,  so  give  the  Red  Fox  credit  for 
most  good  or  evil  as  the  case  may  be.  If  the  farmer  has  too 
many  Chickens  scattered  around  his  fields,  Mr.  Fox  is  ready 
and  anxious  to  help  him  care  for  them,  or  if  grasshoppers  and 
Mice  abound  he  is  ever  ready  to  reduce  the  crop.  I  watched 
a  pair  of  young  Foxes  one  frosty  October  morning  playing,  hop, 
skip,  etc.,  but  a  nearer  view  showed  they  were  busy  catching 
grasshoppers,  and  they  kept  it  up  an  hour  or  more;  at  other 
times  they  are  very  busy  looking  for  Mice,  and  do  more  good 
that  way  than  we  usually  give  them  credit  for.  An  old  time 
way  to  get  the^n  is  to  go  out  early  in  the  morning  (say  in  No- 
vember) and  call  them  up  "by  imitating  the  squeak  of  a  Mouse. 

H.  T.  FRANKENFIELD,  Frutcheys,  Monroe  County: 

Red  and  Gray  Foxes  we  have  here  and  plenty  of  them.  I 
consider  them  detrimental  to  the  farmer  and  sportsman.    I  have 


40S 

found  whole  coveys  of  Quail  destroyed  in  a  single  night;  they 
eat  what  they  can  and  bury  the  rest,  the  same  as  a  Dog  does. 
I  found  not  long  ago  where  a  tree  had  blown  down;  the  tree 
lay  high  on  the  stump,  the  top  on  the  ground;  snow  falling  on 
the  trunk  formed  a  hole  or  cavity  under  the  tree;  the  Quail 
went  under  for  shelter  or  roost;  the  Fox  sprang  in  the  hole,  and 
I  think  destroyed  them  all.  By  going  to  their  dens  where  they 
have  their  young  you  can  find  feathers  of  poultry  and  game. 

SAMUEL  D.  IRWIN,  Tionesta,  Forest  County: 

Reynard  is  well  represented  in  the  western  part  of  Forest 
county,  on  the  hills  and  among  the  rocks  in  the  neighborhood 
of  farms;  both  Red  and  Gray,  the  Red  being  the  most  plenti- 
ful, constituting,  I  should  judge,  seventy-five  per  cent.  I  do  not 
consider  the  Fox  beneficial  to  the  farmer,  especially  if  he  wishes 
to  engage  in  poultry  raising.  Mr.  Hinton,  of  Tionesta  township, 
in  one  week  lost  forty  chickens  out  of  two  hundred,  through 
the  agency  of  Foxes.  They  got  so  bold  that  they  carried  off 
Chickens  in  daylight.  They  are  extensively  trapped  and  hunted 
for  their  pelts  and  scalps,  on  which  there  is  a  bounty  in  this 
section. 

WM.   D.   ROMBACH,   Saltsburg,   Pa.: 

Both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  think  Red  are  most  numeroiis, 
and  they  are  the  most   destructive.    Both  detrimental. 

E.  GARD  EDWARDS,  Ramey,  Clearfield  County: 

Foxes  are  common  and  they  are  more  destructive  to  game 
than  poultry. 

D.   KISTLER,   Kistler,   Perry  County: 

The  Fox  destroys  Wild  Turkeys,  Grouse  and  any  other  bird 
he  can  get.  Foxes  carry  off  Lambs,  and  all  of  them  ought  to  die. 
Foxes  are  plentiful  in  this  locality,  and  they  destroy  a  great 
deal  of  poultry. 

J.   K.   BIRD,   Mill  view,    Sullivan  County: 

We  have  the  Red  Fox.  They  destroy  poultry  of  all  kinds; 
also  Pheasants  and  young  Lambs. 

M.  B.  TRESCOTT,  Harveysville,  Luzerne  County: 

I  have  seen  Foxes  catch  Turkeys  by  daylight  out  in  the  open 
fields,    and   Chickens    the   same   way,    and    carry    them    to    their 


409 

burrows.  I  have  followed  and  caught  the  whole  nest  of  Foxes, 
both  old  and  youngr.  Several  years  ago  my  father  found  some- 
thing had  killed  our  Chickens,  twenty-two  in  number;  were  all 
gone  but  one.  He  followed  the  trail  and  found  the  whole 
twenty-one  dragged  off  to  hiding  places.  The  last  one,  still 
warm,  was  dragged  into  a  hollow  black  ash.  We  pulled  the 
chicken  out  and  found  a  Mink  (a  very  large  one)  had  gone  in 
first  and  was  still  trying  to  drag  the  "old  rooster"  in  after 
him,  but  the  hole  was  too  small.  I  came  home  one  night  and 
found  an  Owl  of  very  large  size  had  lit  down  in  the  back  yard 
and  was  feeding  on  a  Goose.  I  had  a  whole  flock  of  Pigeons  de- 
stroyed in  one  night  by  Owls.  Their  roost  and  boxes  were  in 
a  long  shed;  we  found  one  Owl  glutted  so  he  could  not  fly;  the 
others  had  flown  to  a  piece  of  woods  about  twepty  rods  off, 
and  after  a  little  search  we  found  three  of  the  Owls  there  una- 
ble to  fly.  I  "had  a  brood  of  half-grown  Guineas  destroyed  the 
same  way.  I  have  seen  Crows  dart  down  into  a  chicken  yard, 
pick  up  a  young  Chicken  and  fly  off,  and  have  seen  Hawks  do 
the  same,  and  sometimes  take  a  full  grown  hen.  I  might  write 
much  more  in  the  same  line  of  my  own  experience  with  Minks, 
Foxes,  Weasels,  Crows,  Hawks  and  Owls. 

JOHN  E.  STOCKER,  Ashley,  Luzerene  county: 

We  have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  the  Red  is  the  most  com- 
mon on  our  mountains;  they  are  of  no  value  to  farmers,  as 
they  destroy  poultry  if  not  secured  in  sheds;  they  are  very  de- 
structive to  Pheasants  and  Rabbits — to  the  young  Pheasants 
especially;  oftentimes  along  the  rocks  one  will  find  their  drop- 
ping composed  mostly  of  Rabbit  hair  and  toenails.  English 
Sparrows  were  fastened  to  bushes  with  their  entrails  taken 
out  and  stuffed  with  poison;  some  Foxes  were  taken  in  that 
manner,  also  some  Dogs.  Oftentimes  some  railroaders  coming 
down  the  mountains  would  see  Foxes  feeding  on  some  recently 
killed  Cow,  or  be  running  along  the  track  in  quest  of  Wood- 
chucks  or  the  Cottontail,  feeding  on  corn  or  grain  dropped  from 
grain  cars. 

GEO,  FRANO,  Ariel,  Wayne  County: 

Foxes  are  quite  abundant  and  very  destructive  to  domestic 
fowls  and  small  wild  birds. 

PETER  COVEY,  Newfoundland,  Pa.: 

Foxes  are  numerous;  we  have  both  Red  and  Gray,  and  they 
are  about  equal  in  their  destructiveness  to  game  and  poultry; 


410 

they  are  quite  troublesome  to  farmers  here.  I  have  personal 
knowledge  of  the  loss  of  thirty-two  half-grown  Turkeys  in  one 
night.  Am  confident  that  Foxes  did  it  by  the  feathers  scat- 
tered in  all  directions.  Have  frequently  seen  Foxes  carry  off 
poultry. 

ENOS   BLOOM,   New   Millport,    Clearfield   County: 

Have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  the  Red  is  the  most  plentiful 
and  is  detrimental  to  the  farmers;  they  kill  and  destroy  poul- 
try and  kill  young  Lambs,  and  are  also  very  destructive  to  wild 
birds,  such  as  Pheasants  and  various  other  species  which  the 
State  should  protect;  particularly  is  this  true  of  the  young 
Pheasants.  It  is  the  habit  of  the  young  Pheasant  on  being  first 
alarmed  to  poke  its  head  under  a  leaf  or  grass,  leaving  the 
body  exposed,  and  the  Fox  scents  them  and  makes  many 
feasts  on  them. 

N.   F.   UNDERWOOD,  Lake  Como,  Wayne  County: 

Concerning  the  breeding  habits  of  Red  Foxes  would  say  that 
John  F.  Jaycox,  a  hunter  and  trapper  of  this  place,  killed  a 
female  Fox  here  only  a  day  or  two  ago,  which  contained  six 
young  ones;  the  usual  litter  is,  I  think,  three  or  four.  Red 
Foxes  very  common;  have  paid  bounty  on  thirty  or  forty  this 
winter.  Gray  Fox  rare.  Foxes  destroy  considerable  poultry 
as  well  as  much  game.  Pheasants,  Rabbits  and  small  birds. 

GEO.   W.   WOOD,   Equinunk,   Wayne   County: 

Foxes  are  numerous,  and  very  destructive  to  poultry.  Wayne 
county  paid  in  1893  over  $700  as  bounty  on  Foxes,  Wildcats,  etc. 

EiMIL    ULRICH,    Stroudsburg,    Monroe    County: 

Gray  Foxes  are  most  common  and  they  steal  many  Chickens. 
Consider  them  detrimental  to  a  farmer,  and  favor  bounty  on 
them. 

DR.   H.   D.   MOORE,   New  Lexington,   Somerset   County: 

We  have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes.  The  Red  Fox  is  most 
destructive  to  poultry;  he  seems  to  be  more  cunning  and  bold 
than  the  Gray  Fox.  Both  are  equally  destructive  to  game. 
Beneficial   to   farmers  by  destroying  Field   Mice. 

DR.  C.  E.   GOLDSBORO'UGH,   Hunterstown,   Adams  County: 

We  have  Red  Foxes  common  in  our  lowlands,  and  Red  and 
Gray   Foxes    equally    common    on    the    mountains.     Red    Foxes 


411 

are  more  destructive  because  larger,  swifter  and  bolder.    Both 
kinds  are  detrimental  to  the  farmer. 

Foxes,  I  am  satisfied,  do  much  mischief  to  turkeys  while 
hatching,  and  with  their  young;  am  led  to  this  belief  from  hav- 
ing suffered  on  one  occasion  until  I  killed  three  Foxes, 
when  the  trouble  ceasect.  Weasels  come  next  in  de- 
stroying Chickens. 

L.    T.    WILT,    Franklin,    Venango    County: 

Both  Red  and  Gray;  the  Red  more  abundant,  hence  more 
destructive  to  poultry  and  game.  They  prey  on  the  Ruffed 
Grouse  during  the  whole  year;  they  are  experts  in  taking  a 
Ruffed  Grouse  in  winter  when  they  have  plunged  under  the 
snow.  The  Fox  jumps  zigzag  past  the  hole  in  the  snow,  and 
as  the  bird  raises  takes  him  on  the  wing.  The  writer  never 
saw  a  case  where  it  would  score  a  miss.  Detrimental  to  the 
farmer,  and  likewise  to  the  game  interests. 

GEO.  K.  BOAK,  Pine  Glen,  Centre  County: 

We  introduced  Wild  Turkeys  in  our  game  preserves  and  the 
Wildcats  and  Foxes  destroyed  them,  both  old  and  young,  re- 
gardless of  efforts  made  to  exterminate  them  by  poison  and 
traps.  We  have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  they  are  very  de- 
str«ctive  to  game  and  poultry  in  tTiis  region. 

OTTO  BEHR,  Lopez,  Sullivan  County: 

Have  only  seen  Red  Foxes  in  this  county.  Think  they  are 
beneficial  to  the  farmer.  They  catch  multitudes  of  grasshop- 
pers, beetles  and  insects  of  all  kinds,  and  lots  of  Wood  and 
Meadow  Mice.  My  brother  found  a  nest  of  young  Foxes  not 
more  than  a  week  old,  that  had  forty-two  Mice  aijd  Squirrels 
in  it,  mostly  all  Mice.  There  is  occasionally  a  Gray  Fox  shot 
here,  but  not  often. 

B.  F.  HERRINGTON,  Waynesburg,  Greene  County: 

No  Gray  Foxes;  the  Red  Fox  is  quite  numerous  and  is  detri- 
mental to  some  extent  from  the  fact  that  he  preys  on  the 
poultry,  and  has  been  known  to  carry  off  young  pigs  and 
lambs. 

J.  L.  BRAUNER,  Exchange,  Montour  County: 

Red  and  Gray  Foxes  are  found  in  our  county,  and  both  are 
destructive   to   the   farmer's   poultrj-   ami   game. 


412 

M.   E.   KDMERER,   Weissport,   Carbon   County: 

Foxes  kill  great  numbers  of  our  Chickens,  Turkeys  and  Ducks, 
and    they   also   destroy   considerable   game  of  different  kinds. 

HON.    A.   L.   MARTIN,   Enon   Valley,   Lawrence  County: 

We  have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes.  They  are  detrimental. 
They  annually  destroy  a  large  amount  of  poultry. 

J.   S.  GAY,  Terry  town,  Bradford  County: 

Both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes  are  found  with  us,  but  the  Red 
ones  are  more  common;  both  species  are  destructive  to  the 
farmer  as   they  catch  poultry. 

A.  P.  BREWER,  Norwich,  McKean  County: 

Foxes  I  consider  a  great  benefit  to  farmers,  as  they  catch  a 
great  many  Mice. 

GEO.   S.   APPLEBY,  Decorum,  Huntingdon  County: 

We  have  plenty  of  both,  and  they  do  much  damage  to  poultry 
raisers.  They  also  devour  a  great  deal  of  game  of  various  var- 
ieties. 

PAUL  SWINGLE,  S.  Canaan,  Wayne  County: 

Foxes,  both  Red  and  Gray,  do  a  large  amount  of  damage  to 
farmers  in  this  region  by  destroying  poultry. 

MR.  PIERSON,  Dysart,  Cambria  County: 

Have  Red  and  Gray  Foxes  in  quantities  about  equal.  The 
Foxes  of  Cambria  county  destroy  more  game  than  all  the  hun- 
ters. Hav«  trailed  a  Fox  and  have  known  him  to  kill  and  eat 
four  Pheasants  in  one  night,  and  kill  one  Rabbit  and  eat  the 
head  of  it.  Like  the  Wildcat,  Foxes  are  hard  on  young  Pheas- 
ants, Rabbits  and  Turkeys. 

B.  F.  RENNET,  Pike  County: 

Have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  both  detrimental  to  farmers. 
They  destroy  a'  gool  deal  of  game,  particularly  Grouse. 

THOS.   SEABORNE,  Newlin,  Pa.: 

Foxes  are  perhaps  the  worst  animals  we  have,  destroying 
Chickens,   Turkeys,  Ducks  and   Geese. 


413 

C.   R.  NOYES,  Westport,  Perry  County: 

Foxes  are  destructive  to  poultry  and  game. 

ARTHUR  MARTIN,  Sandy  Lake,  Mercer  County: 

We  have  some  Foxes,  mostly  Red;  they  destroy  poultry  and 
wild  game   to  a  considerable  extent. 

CHAS.  HICKOX,  Oliverburg,  Pa.: 

We  have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  the  Red  most  plentiful 
and  very  detrimental  to  the  farmer. 

T.  B.  HOOVER,   Wellsville,   Pa.: 

We  have  Red'  Foxes.  They  are  considered  detrimental  to  the 
poultry  interests. 

FRED  SAXE,  Taxidermist  and  Naturalist,  West  Pittston,  Pa.: 

We  have  both  the  Red  and  Gray  Foxes  in  our  county.  The 
Red  is  most  common,  and  is  the  most  destructive  to  poultry 
and  game.  I  consider  that  both  kinds  are  detrimental  to  the 
farmer.  There  was  a  man  in  town  that  owned  a  Fox  a  couple 
of  years  ago,  and  it  got  loose  one  night  and  killed  four  Chick- 
ens in  a  neighbor's  hen  roost.  Foxes  will  also  eat  eggs  of 
chickens. 

A.  D.   McCRAC'KEN,   New  Lebanon,  Mercer  County: 

We  have  both  the  Red  and  Gray  Foxes;  the  Red  most  num- 
erous and  destructive  to  game  and  poultry.  I  consider  them  a 
detriment  to  the  farmer. 

JAS.  LINDSAY,  Utica,  Pa.: 

We  have  both  Red  and  Gray  Foxes  here  and  they  do  con- 
siderable damage  to  poultry.  They  also  destroy  many  kinds 
of  small  wild  birds. 

T.   H.   HARTER,   Bellefonte,   Centre   County: 
Foxes  are  very  destructive  to  Pheasants. 

A.   W.   RHOADS,  Wilkes-Barre,   Pa.: 

Red  Foxes  are  common  and  numerous;  Gray  Foxes  rare.  The 
Red  Fox  is  a  great  destroyer  of  game  birds  and  poultry.  They 
are  highly  detrimental  to  the  farmer. 


414 

HON.  G.  C.  BROWN.  Yorkana,  York  County: 

Have  known  Foxes  to  kill  and  eat  Lambs  of  forty  to  fifty 
pounds  weight.  I  have  poisoned  six  with  one  Lanub  carcass, 
and  all  were  lying  dead  at  one  time  along  with  a  Hawk  and 
three  Crows. 

NOAH  H.  PARKER,  McKean  County: 

Foxes  are  the  most  destructive  of  a.ny  animal  we  have  here. 
They  prey  upon  domestic  fowls  and  birds  of  any  kind  when- 
ever an  opportunity  presents  itself. 

R.  W.  WEHRLE,  Blairsville,  Indiana  County: 

Farmers  in  this  section  have  told  me  that  Foxes  have  killed 
large  numbers  of  Lambs. 

J.   H.  VAN  ETTEN,  Milford,   Pike  County: 

Little  different  as  to  species.  Both  kinds  destructive  to 
game  and  poultry.  One  hundred  and  eighty  of  both  kinds 
killed  in  year  1S93  in  Pike  county. 

JACOB  B.  MEIXEL,  Boiling  Springs,  Cumberland  County: 

We  have  both  kinds  of  Foxes  in  our  county.  The  Red  Fox 
does  the  most  damage  to  game.  I  consider  Foxes  enemies  to 
farmers. 

W.   G.   SARGEANT,   Meadville,   Crawford  County: 

Red  Foxes  are  not  very  abundant  and  occasionally  a  Gray 
one  is  seen.  I  consider  that  they  should  be  exterminated  be- 
cause they  destroy  our  game  birds,  especially  young  Grouse. 

GEO.  R.  BROWNELL,  A.  P.  POPE  and  W.  R.  PAGE,  Smeth- 
port,  Pa.: 

Farmers  lose   many  Lambs  by   Foxes  each  spring. 

L.  C.  OBERLIN,  Smicksburg,  Indiana  County: 

Foxes  are  common  and  destructive  to  poultry  and  game. 
The  Red  are  the  worst.  I  never  knew  a  Gray  to  kill  poultry, 
but  still  they  may  be  detrimental. 

JOS.  W.  KYLE,  Milroy,  Mifflin  County: 

Foxes  are  quite  common  and  the  Red  Fox  is  the  most  num- 
erous. They  are  very  destructive  to  poultry  and  game.  I  re- 
gard them  to  be  detrimental  to  the  farmer. 


0 


415 


GRAY  FOX. 

Urocyon  cinereoargenteiis. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Nearly  as  large  as  the  Red  Fox,  but  perhaps  a  little  more 
chunky  and  has  shorter  legs.  It  is  not  subject  to  the  marked 
variations  of  pelage  already  described  in  the  Red  Fox.  The  pre- 
vailing color  is  a  frosted  grayish-black;  each  of  the  long  hairs 
projecting  above  the  thick  coat  of  yellowish  and  grayish  fur, 
and  so  conspicuous  on  upper  parts  generally  are  starting  at  the 
roots,  whitish,  then  dusky,  then  white,  aljout  %  of  an  inch)  and 
black  (about  %  an  inch)  to  ends.  Cheeks  and  throat  are  whit- 
ish. The  ears  behind  and  about  base,  side  of  neck,  streak 
across  the  chest,  edges  of  abdomen,  and  more  or  less  of  legs, 
reddish  or  cinnamon  brown.  Lower  parts  are  whitish  and  pale 
yellowish  brown  or  reddish.  Tail  is  blackish  above,  has  dark 
tip,  and  is  rusty  below.  More  or  less  blackish  about  muzzle.  A 
whitish  patch  on  each  side  of  nose. 

Habitat. — A  southern  species.  "Occurs  in  Oregon,  Texas  and 
California,  and  with  the  Red  extends  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
Pacific.  It  is  not  common  in  New  England  and  only  accidental 
in  Maine  and  Canada.  It  is  more  southern  than  the  Red  Fox, 
being  the  prevailing  species  from  Virginia  southward."— Bray- 
ton,  Mammals  of  Ohio. 

The  Gray  Fox,  when  pursued  by  dogs  does  no-t,  like 
the  Red,  lead  the  barking  hounds  long  disiances,  but 
will  play  hide  and  seek  with  them,  oftentimes  in  a  very 
small  area  of  territory. 

EE    CIRCLED,    AND    TURNED    IN    AND    OUT. 

Some  years  ago  I  was  hunting  Pheasants  in  an  old 
bark  peeling  along  the  Susquehanna  river,  above  Lock 
Haven,  and  flushed  eight  or  ten  birds  which  scattered 
and  hid  along  the  mountain  side,  and  in  a  deep  ravine. 
On  one  side  of  this  ravine  there  was  a  dense  patch  of 
laurel,  with  lots  of  decaying  logs,  fallen  tree-tops,  and 
lichen  covered  bowlders.  This  place  was  nearly  half  a 
mile  long  and  about  half  as  wide.  Two  hounds  were 
Id   there  making    livelv    music,    and    liieir    excrtiouis 


416 

caused  me  to  lose  several  good  shots  as  they  flushed 
aud  drove  away  several  Pheasants  and  a  Wild  Turkey. 
The  noisy  dogs  kept  running  to  and  fro  in  this  thick 
covert  for  at  least  two  hours  and  I  thought  they  were 
after  Rabbits,  but  finally  a  Gray  Fox  came  out  into  a 
path  and  a  man  shot  it.  When  the  Fox  w-as  killed  the 
hounds  left  and  we  were  not  bothered  any  more.  My 
companion  said  it  was  a  very  common  habit  of  this 
species,  when  pursued  by  dogs  in  thick  underbrush,  to 
act  as  this  one  did. 

RARE,    IF    POUND    AT    ALL,    IN    SOME    COUNTIES. 

Gray  Foxes  are  frequently  met  with  in  different,  in 
fact  almost  all,  sections  of  the  State,  but  there  are 
probably  fifteen  times  as  many,  if  not  more,  of  the  Red 
Foxes  in  Pennsjivania.  I  have  never  seen  a  Gray  Fox 
in  Chester  county  where  I  have  spent  several  years  in 
field  work,  and  the  Messrs.  Weil,  who  make  a  special 
business  of  purchasing  raw  furs  in  Chester,  Lancaster, 
Montgomery  and  Delaware  counties,  say  they  never 
have  had  but  one  Gray  Fox,  and  that  was  killed  in 
Maryland.  Fox  hunters  in  Chester,  Delaware  and 
Montgomery  counties  report  that  they  never  find  any 
Gray  Foxes. 

THET    TAKE    TO    TREES. 

The  Gray  Fox  to  escape  its  enemies  will  sometimes 
ascend  the  inclined  trunk  or  large  pendent  and  low 
limbs  O'f  trees.  Up  in  the  wilds  of  Clinton  county, 
where  this  species  is  of  fre(]uent  occurrence  and  a 
menace  to  the  existence  of  its  ground-dwelling  feath- 
ered neighbors,  it  seems  some  of  them  possess  monkey- 
like ability  as  tree  climbers;  at  least,  such  infei'cnce 
can  be  drawn  from  the  following  paragraph  published 


417 

bj  Mr.  S.  N.  Rhoads*  in  his  list  of  Mammals  of  Cen- 
tral Penns;ylvania: 

"Regarding  the  dexterity  of  this  species  climbing  trees  the 
junior  Nelson  (Seth  I.)  told  me  he  had  seen  one  ascend  after 
a  Squirrel  to  the  height  of  sixty  feet  on  an  erect  dead  pine 
stripped  of  its  bark.  It  did  this  voluntarily,  literally  'shinning' 
twenty-five  feet  up  the  branchless  trunk  and  backing  down 
again  as  a  boy  would  do  it.  He  has  known  his  dog  to  run 
them  up  an  erect  tree  eighteen  inches  in  diameter,  the  first  limb 
of  which  was  twenty  feet  from  the  ground.  " 

I  have  often  heard  of  the  climbing  powers  of  the 
Gray  Fox  but  never  knew  they  possessed  such  remark- 
able dexterity  as  that  which  is  reported  to  have 
been  seen  by  young  Mr,  Nelson.  However,  Clinton 
county  has  plenty  of  good  water,  an  invigorating  cli- 
mate, numerous  Pheasants,  plenty  of  other  wild  birds, 
lots  of  Cottontails,  a  good  many  Varying  Hares,  an 
abundance  of  small  rodents,  and  a  share  of  domesti- 
cated fowls  about  the  places  where  Gray  Foxes  sneak, 
murder  and  hide,  and  it  may  be  such  advantages  all 
tend  to  give  certain  of  these  animals  powers,  inclina- 
tions and  elevations  which  Gray  Foxes  do  not  com 
monly  assume. 

HE     LOVES    THE    WOOD    AND    UNDERBRUSH. 

Messrs.  Ooues  and  Yarrow,  in  alluding  to  this  spe- 
cies, say: 

"It  is  not  a  burrowing  animal,  at  least  to  any  great  extent; 
and  when  it  digs,  the  burrow  is  simple  with  a  single  entrance. 
It  lies  concealed  in  rank  herbage,  beneath  or  inside  fallen  logs, 
under  partially  excavated  stumps  and  similar  retreats.  This 
habit  is  in  evident  correlation  with  its  woodland  range,  for 
having  no  such  protection  as  the  Red  Fox,  which  takes  to  the 
earth  any  where  it  is  forced  to  abide  where  there  are  the  nat- 

•A  contribution  to  the  Mammalogy  of  Central  Pa.  Proc,  .\cad.. 
Nat..  Sci..  Phlla.,  April.  1897. 

27-n 


418 

ural  means  of  concealment  just  mentioned.  This  same  habit, 
moreover,  causes  a  certain  modification  of  the  animal's  range 
with  the  settling  of  a  country;  in  clearing  off  forests  the  Gray 
Fox  is  forced  to  seek  elsewhere,  although  in  effect  the  cir- 
cumstances that  cause  removal  of  one  species  are  precisely 
those  that  invite  the  other,  the  Red  Fox  being  able  to  exist  in 
settled  regions  where  the  other  could  find  no  suitable  resorts. 
It  Is  this  that  makes  the  Red  a  greater  nuisance  to  the  farmer; 
It  sticks  close  to  the  farm  yard,  being  forced,  in  a  measure,  to 
thus  supply  itself,  owing  simply  to  its  being  in  more  cultivated 
districts.  The  Gray  Fox  subsists  more  extensively  upon  the 
wild  game  of  his  habitat.  Another  distinctive  feature  is  the 
climbing  powers  of  the  Gray  Fox,  much  greater  than  would  be 
expected  from  an  animal  with  non-retractile  claws,  and  no 
great  'hugging'  powers.  When  hard  pressed  the  Gray  Fox  is 
treed  as  regularly  as  the  Red  is  earthed.  The  climbing  seems 
to  be  simply  an  agile  leaping  along  on  inclined  trunk,  or  from 
bough  to  bough,  through  it  has  been  noted  that  the  animal  can 
climb  a  small  trunk  by  clasping  or  even  with  its  claws  like 
a  cat  or  Raccoon"   (Brayton's  Mams,   of  Ohio). 

WHAT  GRAY  FOXES  LIVE  UPON.  . 

Gray  Foxes  feed  upon  all  kinds  of  wild  birds  they 
can  catch;  the  Cottontails  and  Varying-  Hare,  numer- 
ous Mice,  other  small  mammals,  some  insects,  occa- 
sionally frogs  and  sometimes,  it  is  said,  non-poisonous 
snakes,  are  all  eaten  by  them.  They  destroy  poultry, 
and,  as  can  be  seen  on  previous  pages,  they  devour 
Lambs.  Farmers  and  sportsmen,  very  generally,  speak 
of  Gray  Foxes  as  being  little,  if  any,  better  in  habits, 
than  the  red-coated  robbers.  Woodsmen  who  have 
learned  much  of  their  sneaking  ways  say  they  should 
all  be  killed.  Some  good  observer,  Audubon  I  think 
it  was,  said  the  Red  Fox  is  a  sly,  bold  robber,  but  the 
Gray  Fox  is  a  cowardly,  skulking  sneak-thief, 


4 


I 


I 


i19 


COMMON  WEA?*hI>. 


Tfe 


xof/r^t  or 
pakr    ^; 


:3i 


to    - 

Baajt   '.f 
to  Tery 

a<o  i^<eei/i.-. ....  r.-,-,,.  ..  . 
ak«itb*ra  CaJlfciTjrta.' 


t*  t&*r 


— 0>i*<?«- 


IT8  MASrr  XA^-',- 

Tlie  resuiooji  wfaerd^  t1rij>  '*  itM  nam*: 

are  worth  v  of  »'»t«f  ai!<f  •*"  .  :  r-  witk  as 

explanatkm  of  th^m. 

The  teefenif^I  Bame  J  :;  ffosa  '*p«tor^ 

a  **t>ad  smell-*"  Ii  is  an  o^^p^i  -.y.-^^iK  i..^  for  both  nexeK 
hare  the  powers  of  emitting  a  **peeflliar  flmd^  vhieii 
is  most  offeiMnre  and  <^<nV^  a  Httk>  I«9m  poagieat  aad 
piereini?  than  that  of  tLe  ?kank-  Skinc^"  '-'■-  t«  that 
'^toat"  eomei  frcm  the  Belgie  *%to«t^  lod   is 

Engiaad  he  is  eatted  f^tont  to  the  ftresent  riiiKe.  Cer- 
tataly  he  dnK^-res  tbis  sane,  for  sauae  larj^er  than 
hi— rlf  deters  hha  sot:  hMg  raw  thrMjEh  h«sh  aad 
briar — he  seldo«  takes  to  the  open — earrr  so  fear  rr. 


.        _l 
p       UJ 

^   < 


421 

the  animal  is  glancing  around  with  the  neck  stretched  up  and 
the  flat  triangular  head  bent  forward  and  swaying  from  one 
side  to  the  other  we  catch  the  lilteness  in  a  moment — it  is  the 
image  of  a  serpent." 

So  we  have  this  sanguinary  animal  compared  by 
two  eminent  authorities  in  this  line,  as  like  a  lion  for 
courage  and  a  serpent  in  manner  and  appeai-ance. 

TWO   SPECIES. 

While  every  farmer's  boy  or  other  person  who  is  at 
all  acquainted  with  the  common  furred  and  feathered 
denizens  of  the  woods  and  fields  will  speak  of  diiferent 
kinds  of  Weasels,  it  does  not  appear  to  be  generally 
known,  except,  of  courj^e,  to  naturalists  or  others  who 
have  taken  the  trouble  to  investigate  the  matter,  that 
there  are,  it  is  believed,  only  two  distinct  species  of 
Weasels  in  Pennsylvania,  Many  farmers  and  numer- 
ous sportsmen  are  heard  to  speak  of  "white,''  "brown," 
"black"  and  "yellow"  Weasels,  and  consider  them  to 
be  different  species.  The  terms  big  and  little  are 
often  applied  to  these  animals,  but  those  employing 
them  commonly  consider  the  Weasels  designated  by 
the  particular  adjective  used  as  belonging  to  the  same 
species,  but  of  different  age  and  size.  The  Least  Wea- 
sel is  in  some  instances  undoubtedly  mistaken  for  the 
young  of  the  Ermine  whether  in  winter  or  summer 
attire. 

THE  LEAST   WEASEL.* 

The  Least  Weasel,  according  to  the  best  information 
obtained  from  local  naturalists  throughout  the  State, 

♦The  Least  Weasel  (Putorius  cicognani)  is  "very  small,  lengih 
of  head  and  body  six  or  eight  inches,  of  tail-vertebrae  two 
Inches  or  less,  tail-vertebrae  about  one-fourth  or  less  of  the 
head  and  body,  tail  slender,  cylindrical,  pointed  at  tip,  which 
Is  concolor  or  not  obviously  black;  under  parts  white,  rarely, 
if  ever,  tinged  with  sulphury;  coloration  otherwise  as  in  com- 
mon Weasel." — Coues. 


422 

does  not  apptar  to  be  of  very  fioquout  occtiirence.  In 
fact,  quite  a  number  of  zoological  students  who  are  be- 
lieved to  be  entirely  competent  to  distinguish  both 
species  report  the  Least  Weasel  to  be  rare  or  unknown 
in  Uieir  localities. 

Mr.  George  1'.  Friaut,  taxidermist,  of  Scranton, 
Penna.,  during  the  past  ten  years  has  had  over  one 
hundred  Weasels  taken  within  a  radius  of  twenty-five 
miles  of  his  home,  and  of  these  not  more  than  three  O!- 
four  were  the  smaller  species.  The  experience  of  Mr. 
Ohas.  H.  Eldon,  taxidermist,  of  Williamsport,  Penna., 
is  vev\^  similar  to  that  of  JNfr.  Fiiant.  During  the  past 
eight  years  the  writer  has  collected  zoological  speci- 
mens in  almost  every  county  in  the  State,  and  in  a  col- 
lection of  seventy  odd  specimens  at  least  six  were  of 
the  small  kind. 

In  1885  and  188G  thirty-seven  Weasels,  on  which 
bounty  had  been  paid  in  Chester  county,  were  ex- 
amined and  all  were  found  to  be  the  Emiine  or  Com- 
mon Weasel.  From  evidence  at  hand  it  seems  that  the 
Least  Weasel  is  to  be  found  in  the  northern  and  moun- 
tainous regions  of  Pennsylvania,  and  I  am  inclined  to 
think  it  is  more  plentiful  than  some  observers  and 
writers  believe.  Unfortunately  a  series  of  about  sev- 
enty-five skins  of  Pennsylvania  Weasels  which  I  had 
were  destroyed  a  couple  of  months  ago  w'hen  the  con- 
tents of  my  office  was  burned  with  the  State  Capitol. 
This  loss  and  the  destruction  of  my  note  books  make  it 
impossible  for  me  to  specify  the  Idealities  from  which 
the  T^ast  Weasels  I  had  came. 

THEY    CHANGE    THEIR    COATS. 

In  one  way  at  least  these  sprightly  animals  are  not 
unlike  some  modem  day  politicians  who  have  made 


423 

very  hurried  and  vvoudrous  changes  in  their  political 
coats  but  with  some  of  whom  such  change  was  only 
on  the  surface,  as  their  hearts  were  always  loyal  to  old, 
true  and  tried  friends  fiom  whom  they  separated  from 
necessity,  to  join  the  ''bread  and  butter  brigade." 
Some  Weasels  change  their  coats,  and,  in  winter,  when 
snow  covers  the  ground,  they  are  white,  but  in  summer 
brown.  Probably  sucli  chianges  also  enable  these 
animals  to  obtain  more  easily  the  necessary  livelihood. 
However,  in  any  dress.  Weasels  always  carry  death  and 
destruction  to  animal  life  about  them.  Their  homes 
are  frequently  to  be  found  in  a  decayed  log,  tree 
stump,  under  rocks,  about  old  buildings,  etc. 

HUNTS   HIS   PREY   BY    SCENT. 

Concerning  his  power  of  hunting  his  prey  by  scent, 
eminent  authorities  are  positive  that  he  does  track 
quarry  in  this  manner. 

Mr.  Hogg,  in  London  Magazine,  describes  how,  in  De- 
cember, 1S31,  he  observed  a  Stout  hunting  in  this  style. 

"I  was  an  eye  witness  to  the  fact  of  a  Stout  being  able  to 
pursue  its  prey  on  scent." 

Coues  writes  of  it  as  follows: 

"Swift  and  sure  footed  he  makes  open  chase  and  runs  down 
his  prey;  keen  of  scent  he  tracks  them." 

DESTROYS  POULTRY. 

The  poultry  yard  is  frequently  visited  and  his  apparently  in- 
satiable desire  for  rapine  is  most  clearly  shown  while  on  these 
visits.  One  chicken  will  satisfy  his  appetite,  but  after  that  is 
gratified  he  does  not  leave;  he  kills  and  slays  without  mercy 
all  the  remainder  of  the  poor  frightened  chickens,  until  there 
are  none  left,  and  not  until  then  does  he  leave  the  scene  of 
carnaee. 

He  sucks  the  eggs  also,  leaving,  in  some  instances,  the  un- 
lucky   farmer,    who   has   unwillingly   and    unwittingly   been   his 


424 

husl,    coiiiplelely    routed    as    regards    his   eft'uris    in    the    poultry 
line. 

The  El  mine  is  oonimon  and  present  in  all  sections 
of  the  Commonwealth. 

HIS  FOOD. 

From  the  testimony  of  various  writers  and  other 
well-infoi-med  and  competent  observers,  it  would  ap 
pear  as  if  the  Weasels,  although  undoubtedly  great  de- 
stroyers of  Mice  and  also  of  Rats,  are  extremely  det- 
rimental to  poultry,  especially  Chickens,  as  well  as 
game,  particularly  Ruffed  Grouse  and  Rabbits,  to 
gether  with  many  kinds  of  small  wild  birds. 

Robert  Kennicott,  in  his  report  of  the  quadrupeds  of 
Illinois,  as  quote<i  by  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam  in  the  Mam- 
mals of  the  Adirondack  region  of  Northeastern  New 
York,  says,  in  writing  of  the  Common  Weasel : 

"A  more  fierce  and  cruel  mammal  does  not  exist  in  America 
than  this  Weasel.  The  courage  and  sanguinary  disposition  of 
the  panther  are  insignificant  in  comparison,  having  regard  to 
the  strength  of  the  two.  Without  hesitation,  the  Weasel  at- 
tacks animals  five  or  ten  times  its  own  size,  and,  not  content 
with  killing  enough  for  food,  wantonly  destroys  whatever  life 
it  can.  When  a  Weasel  has  gained  access  to  a  poultry  yard 
it  will  frequently  kill  every  fowl  within  its  reach  in  a  single 
night.  Fortunately,  however,  this  animal,  even  when  abun- 
dant, does  not  enter  the  farm  yard  so  frequently  as  might  be 
expected,  appearing  to  prefer  a  free  life  in  the  woods  to  easy 
but  more  dangerous  feasts  on  domestic  fowls.  Meadow  Mice 
are  certainly  the  greatest  pests  among  mammals  in  Northern 
Illinois,  and  of  these  the  Weasel  destroys  great  numbers. 

FEEDS    ON    RATS    AND    MICE. 

"Stacks  and  barnfuls  of  grain  are  often  overrun  with  Rats 
and  Mice;  but  let  a  Weasel  take  up  his  residence  there  and 
soon  the  pests  will  disappear.  A  Weasel  will,  occasionally,  re- 
main for  some  time  in  a  barn  feeding  on  these  vermin  without 
disturbing  the  fowls.     But  It  is  never  safe  to  trust  one  near  the 


425 

poultry  yard,  for  when  once  an  attack  Is  made,  there  Is  no 
limit  to  the  destruction.  When  the  animal  has  entered  stacks 
or  barns,  it  has  a  curious  habit  of  collecting  in  a  particular 
place  the  bodies  of  the  Rats  and  Mice  it  has  slain;  thus,  some- 
times, a  pile  of  a  hundred  or  more  of  their  victims  may  be 
seen  which  have  been  killed  in  the  course  of  two  or  three 
niffhts." 

The  activity  and  strength  of  the  Weasel  are  such 
that  he  is  able  to  elirab  trees  with  great  ease,  either 
to  escape  enemies  or  to  search  for  food. 

This  ability  as  a  tree  climber  enables  him  to  destroy 
both  the  eggs  and  young  of  different  species  of  birds 
which  erect  their  homes  in  the  forest,  shade  and  fruit 
trees. 

The  nests  of  Ruffed  Gr-ouse,  Wild  Turkeys  and  Bob- 
white  or  Qnail,  besides  those  of  other  species  of  the 
feathered  kinds  which  nest  on  or  near  the  ground,  are 
often,  it  is  asserted,  pillaged  by  the  inquisitive  and 
bright-eyed  Weasels. 

Although  Weasels  hunt  both  by  day  and  night,  the 
popular  idea  seems  to  be  that  theyi  are  more  nocturnal 
than  diurnal.  While  it  is  doubtless  true  that  they  sub- 
sist, to  some  extent,  on  various  kinds  of  insects,  parti- 
cularly beetles  and  occasionally  grasshoppers,  the 
amount  of  insect  life  which  they  consume  is  not,  so  far 
as  the  obsei"vations  of  the  writer  have  gone,  very 
considerable. 

A    RABBIT  HUNTER. 

Weasels,  like  the  fox  hound  or  trained  and  well- 
bred  pointer  or  setter,  follow  the  tracks  of  their  prey 
by  the  scent.  In  Ihis  way  large  animals  such  as  Gray 
Rabbits  and  even  the  Varying  Hare  are  pursued  and 
overpowered  in  their  securest  retreats. 

27»-n 


426 

In  regard  to  its  power  of  hunting  bj  scent,  Tlhomas 
Bell,  says: 

"In  pursuing  a  Rat  or  Mouse,  it  not  only  follows  It  as  long  as 
it  remains  in  sight  but  continues  the  chase  after  it  has  disap- 
peared, with  its  head  raised  a  little  above  the  ground,  follow- 
ing the  exact  tract  recently  taken  by  its  destined  prey.  Should 
it  lose  the  scent,  it  returns  to  the  point  where  it  was  lost,  and 
quarters  the  ground  with  great  diligence  until  it  has  recovered 
it;  and  thus,  by  dint  of  perservance,  will  ultimately  hunt  down 
a  swifter  and  even  stronger  animal  than  itself.  But  this  is 
not  all.  In  the  pertinacity  of  its  pursuit,  it  will  readily  take 
the  water  and  swim  with  great  ease  after  its  prey." 

T  have  heard  hunters  and  woodsmen  say  that 
"white"  Weasels  can  easily  detect  the  Ruffed  Grouse, 
which  frequently  in  winter  has  the  habit  of  plunging 
into  the  loose  snow,  and  that  they  destroy  many  of 
these  birds  in  snch  hiding  placef?. 

Audubon,  ;the  famousi  naturalist,  records  an  in- 
stance that  came  under  his  personal  observation,  of 
where  an  Ermine  captured  a  Rabbit  and  after  behead- 
ing it,  the  fierce  little  depredator  dragged  the  body 
some  twenty  yards  over  the  fresh  fallen  snow,  beneath 
which  it  was  concealed  and  the  snow  slightly  pressed 
down  over  it. 

HE  IS  WELL  ACQUAINTED  WITH  WEASELS. 

I  am  JLdebted  to  Mr.  Hugh  Malloy,  of  Freeland. 
Luzerne  county,  Pa.,  for  the  following  very  interesting 
and  instructive  account  of  liis  observations  of  tht* 
Weasel.  T  know  of  no  person  who  has  devoted  as 
luuch  attention  to  these  agile  creatures  as  he  has.  Mr. 
Malloy  informs  me  he  has  captured  during  the  past 
twenty  years  about  fifteen  hundred  Weasels.  What 
he  says  about  them  in  the  following  paragraphs  shows 


427 

very   conclusively  that   he  is   thorouj^hly   acquainted 
with  their  hauLts  ai:d  sangninary  ways: 

The  Weasel  is  Jhe  only  animal  to  my  knowledge  that  never 
rests;  it  is  always  on  the  move  and  the  more  game  he  kills 
the  more  he  wants  to  kill.  I  have  followed  the  track  of  this 
animal  every  winter,  for  twenty  years,  and  I  was  never  able 
to  run  one  down  by  following  the  track.  He  never  walks;  his 
jumps  are  from  eighteen  to  twenty-two  inches,  and  any  person 
following  his  tracks  on  the  snow,  when  there  has  been  a  light 
snow  squall  at  intervals  of  two  or  three  hours,  during  forty- 
eight  hours  as  I  have  done,  to  learn  if  he  had  any  home,  will 
find  that  he  rests  only  while  killing  his  victim.  The  snow  is 
never  too  deep  or  the  weather  too  cold  for  him.  I  have  followed 
his  track  when  it  was  seven  degrees  below  zero,  and  snow 
eight  inches  deep. 

HE   KILLS   BUT  DON'T   DISFIGURE. 

I  have  followed  the  back  track  to  see  where  he  came  from 
and  found  eleven  dead  Rabbits  killed  by  him.  and  all  of  them 
hidden  either  in  the  hole  that  he  started  them  from  or  pulled 
under  the  snow;  sometimes  twenty  feet  to  some  brush  pile.  The 
"Weasel,  to  my  mind,  has  a  great  instinct.  If  you  follow  the 
track  on  very  deep  snow,  you  will  find  frequently  a  small  hole- 
in  the  snow  where  he  went  down  and  came  up,  perhaps  fifty 
feet  away;  you  will  discover  also,  every  time,  a  Rabbit  hole  at 
the  very  spot  that  he  went  into  the  snow,  and  if  a  Rabbit  is  in 
the  hole,  it  will  have  gone  only  about  twenty  yards,  when  you 
find  the  snow  tramped  for  about  six  feet  square  and  you  may 
see  a  little  fur;  then  look  sharp  and  you  will  discover  where 
the  Rabbit  was  pulled  back  into  the  same  hole,  and  by  putting 
a  briar  or  rod  into  the  hole  you  can  twist  it  fast  to  a  dead 
Rabbit,  with  a  small  hole  between  the  ear  and  eye.  After  it 
has  killed  four  or  five  in  a  few  hours,  you  will  not  find  any  mark 
on  them,  as  it  sucks  the  blood  without  making  any  visible 
marks  until  you  pull   the  skin  off  the  head  and  neck. 

While  the  "Weasel  will  stand  any  cold,  when  at  liberty,  if 
you  confine.it  in  a  box  or  cage,  it  will  be  dead  in  a  few  hours, 
by  having  to  remain  still,  even  when  it  is  not  zero  weather. 

The  Weasel  has  great  digestive  powers.  I  find,  when  it  is 
getting  all  the  blood  it  wants,  that  in  about  every  twenty  yards, 
in  the  snow,  you  will  find  its  excreta  about  three-fourths  of  an 
Inch  long,  thick  as  a  common  slate  pencil  and  like  frozen  blood. 


428 


A  VERY   RESTLESS  ANIMAL. 

The  Weasel  is  a  restless  animal.  If  you  happen  to  come  up 
to  it  in  roclis  where  there  is  no  snow  you  will  have  to  stand 
only  a  few  seconds,  and  you  will  imagine  that  you  have  found 
a  whole  family  of  them,  as  his  head  will  be  sticking-  out  of  sev- 
eral holes  almost  at  the  same  time;  but  if  the  snow  is  on  the 
ground  to  the  depth  of  three  inches,  you  will  onl^'  see  him 
once,  but  if  you  make  a  large  circle  around  the  place  where  you 
saw  him  last  you  will  find  a  small  hole  in  the  snow  and  a 
Weasel  track  going  away  from  it,  that  will  lead  you  more  than 
twenty  miles  in  every  direction,  and  still  you  will  not  see  him. 
In  the  fall  of  1894  I  was  in  a  barber  shop  in  Freeland,  and 
about  half  shaved  when  several  boys  came  running  to  the 
door,  telling  me  that  a  whole  family  of  Weasels  were  under 
the  plank  side-walk.  Of  course  1  pushed  the  barber  away  and 
jumped  out  of  the  chair.  There  was  a  very  large  crowd  sur- 
rounding the  walk,  all  having  clubs  and  shovels,  and  a  Weasel 
head  was  peeping  out  of  e\iery  hole  at  almost  the  same  time, 
and  a  knot-hole  in  the  sidewalk  showed  a  head  about  every 
thirty  seconds  and  that  one  was  supposed  to  be  the  leader.  I 
joined  the  crowd  of  watchers  and  sent  my  boy  for  my  flobert 
rifle.  I  shot  the  first  Weasel  that  showed  its  head,  and  told 
the  boys  that  I  would  give  them  a  dollar  for  every  other  Wea- 
sel that  they  would  see.    I  did  not  have  to  pay  a  dollar. 

WHERE   HE  PREFERS   TO  LIVE. 

The  Weasel  frequents  the  wildest  portions  of  our  mountains 
and  seldoms  ventures  into  any  open  ground,  except  when  it 
has  all  the  game  killed  in  the  thickets.  It  will  climb  a  tree 
after  a  bird's  nest  or  when  chased,  but  it  cannot  run  down  a 
tree  head  foremost  like  a  Squirrel.  It  will  jump  from  branch 
to  branch  until  it  gets  to  the  lower  branches  and  then  comes 
down  backwards  or  jumps.  I  never  saw  the  Weasel  on  a  very 
large  tree  or  up  very  high  on  a  tree. 

WILL   SUCK    ITS   OWN    BLOOD. 

A  Weasel  will  suck  its  own  blood.  In  the  summer  of  1S95  I 
caught  a  very  fierce  looking,  coarse  haired,  dark  brown  Weasel 
In  one  of  my  wire  traps,  and  I  stabbed  him  through  the  wires 
with  the  long  blade  of  my  knife  in  the  shoulder;  as  soon  as  he 
saw  the  blood  he  turned  his  neck,  took  hold  of  the  wounded 
part  and  sucked  all  the  blood  until  he  swayed  back  and  forth 
and   fpJI  dead. 


429 

WILL  HELP  EACH  OTHER  OQT  OF  TRAP'S. 

One  Weasel  will  let  its  mate  out  of  a  trap.  I  had  a  wire  trap 
eet  for  a  Weasel  and  every  time  I  went  to  see  it  the  live  bait 
was  eaten  and  fresh  droppings  of  the  Weasel  were  in  the  trap, 
but  no  Weasel.  I  took  another  trap  and  set  the  two  close  to- 
gether and  the  next  time  I  came  I  had  a  very  dark  brown 
Weasel  in  each  trap.  One  Weasel  would  go  in  first  and  kill 
the  bait,  the  other  would  go  half  way,  put  his  fore-foot  on  the 
drop,  open  and  put  his  head  out  in  the  hole  and  come  out. 

ATTACKED  THIS  BUNNY  IN  THE  REAR. 

I  was  after  a  Weasel  once  when  the  snow  was  on  the  ground 
to  find  where  he  had  killed  some  game,  so  that  I  could  set  my 
trap  for  him,  I  found  he  crossed  the  track  of  a  Rabbit 
that  had  just  come  out  of  a  stone  wall,  and  went  right 
back  again.  I  was  surprised  to  see  the  track  of  the  Weasel 
going  away  without  killing  the  Rabbit.  I  pulled  away  some 
stones  and  found  the  Rabbit  squeezed  tight  in  a  very  small 
opening,  between  two  stones,  and  only  his  hind  legs  sticking 
out;  but  he  was  dead,  and  the  blood  had  been  sucked  by  the 
Weasel  from  his  hind  legs  and  had  made  only  st  very  small 
opening  In  the  leg. 

THE   YOUNG. 

Weasels  have  their  young  between  the  15th  of  April  and  15th  i 
of  June.  I  have  never  found  their  nest  while  the  young  were 
in,  but  I  have  caught  them  during  that  time,  with  young  in, 
them, and  also  after  having  their  young,  with  milk  in  their  teats.. 
The  highest  number  I  found  in  any  one  of  them  was  six,  one 
only  had  three.  The  young  will  follow  the  old  one  until  Sep-- 
tember,  when  they  seem  to  scatter  and  go  on  their  own  hook:. 
It  Is  very  easy  to  catch  them  after  they  scatter,  and  these  are 
the  ones  that  generally  get  after  the  chickens  before  they 
learn  how  to  catch  game. 

A  Weasel  will  always  come  back  to  the  place  where  he  hid 
the  game  to  feed  off  it  when  he  cannot  find  any  game  to  kill. 
I  put  a  trap  by  a  hidden  Rabbit  once  and  I  did  not  catch  the 
Weasel  for  six  weeks,  but  in  most  cases  you  will  be  able  to 
catch  them   the  second  or  third  night. 


430 

THEY  HAVE  MANY  CHANGES  OF  DRE«S. 

1  do  not  believe  there  are  any  White  Weasels  in  summer,  but  I 
do  know  that  they  are  dark  brown,  light  brown,  dark  red  and 
light  red  in  winter  and  that  I  have  caught  them  every  week 
from  December  1  until  April  1.  I  caught  a  dark  brown,  a  dark 
red  and  a  pure  white  all  in  one  night,  but  at  different  places. 
1  never  caught  a  "maltee"  Weasel  in  winter,  but  have  caught 
many  of  them  in  summer. 

The  "Maltee"  Weasel  is  very  fine  furred,  no  long,  coarse  hair, 
and  have  a  blue  shade  in  ttie  fur.  Now  this  Weasel  changes  its 
coat  in  November. 

1  burned  two  hundred  Weasel  skins  last  winter  as  the  moths 
had  gotten  in  them.  I  could  have  sent  them  to  you  had  I 
thought  you  cared  for  them.  I  had  a  card  on  each  one  saying 
when  and  where  I  caught  it. 

DESTROYS  GREAT  NtTMBERS  OF  YOUNG  GROUSE. 

The  Weasel  is  very  hard  on  Grouse  until  the  birds  are  six 
weeks  old  and  able  to  fly.  He  will  follow  them  and  some- 
times kill  the  whole  brood.  I  found  thirteen  out  of  fourteen 
killed  by  a  Weasel  the  very  day  they  came  out  of  the  shell 
and  the  fourteenth  would  have  been  killed,  but  I  heard  the 
old  Pheasant  making  a  great  noise  and  I  killed  the  Weasel. 
The  birds  were  too  young  to  hide  under  the  leaves,  the  four- 
teenth bird  was  sitting  beside  the  nest.  I  never  saw  where  the 
Weasel  killed  any  old  Pheasants,  but  saw  where  a  Pheasant 
carried  a  Weasel  away  out  of  a  hole  in  the  snow  where 
the  Pheasant  was  sitting,  when  the  Weasel  came  in  and  at- 
tacked it. 

KILL  ALL  THE   QUAIL. 

The  Weasel  will  kill  all  the  Quail  in  February  and  March  if 
the  snow  is  deep.  The  birds  will  go  under  windfalls  and 
brush  heaps  covered  with  snow.  The  Weasel  will  track  and 
go  in  after  them  at  night,  killing  every  one;  then  the  farmers 
will  find  them  in  the  spring  and  think  they  were  frozen.  I 
found  west  of  White  Haven  one  day  (I  was  after  a  Catamount), 
where  a  Weasel  had  killed  over  one  hundred  birds.  I  pulled 
out  with  a  stick  fourteen  of  the  dead  birds;  no  marks  on  them, 
but  track  of  teeth  on  neck  near  the  head. 

A  Weasel  will  follow  a  Rabbit  on  bare  groun^'  the  same  as 
a    well-trained   dog.     I    put   one   off   the   trail   several    times   In 


431 

one  morning  when  I  was  going  fishing,  and  every  time  he 
would  find  it  again,  and  I  soon  heard  the  Rabbit  squeal  where 
the  Weasel  was  killing  it. 

THE.  WEASEL.  PUTJ.KD  AND  I  PULLED. 

I  was  going  fishing  one  morning  about  four  years  ago,  when 
1  saw  something  going  slowly  across  the  road  about  one  hun- 
dred yards  ahead  of  me.  I  ran  to  where  I  saw  it  and  there  a 
Weasel  was  pulling  a  very  large  Rabbit  through  under  an  old 
log;  I  caught  the  hind  legs  of  the  Rabbit  and  the  Weasel 
pulled  at  the  other  end.  I  got  a  club  and  tried  to  kill  the  Wea- 
sel, but  I  could  not  hit  him.  Every  time  I  would  let  the  dead 
Rabbit  go,  the  Weasel  would  take  hold  of  it  and  begin  to  pull 
it  under  the  log;  I  laid  the  Rabbit  close  to  the  log  and  held 
my  foot  on  side  of  log;  when  the  Weasel  put  his  head  out  and 
was  pulling  the  Rabbit  again  I  put  my  foot  down  on  top  of 
him  and  killed  him.  The  Rabbit  was  yet  warm.  I  opened  it 
and  found  nine  young  Rabbits  almost  large  enough  to  make 
their  appearance  in  the  world,  but  they  were  all  dead. 

WHAT  FARMERS  AND  POULTRY  RAISERS   SAY. 

The  following  extracts  conceruiiig  the  liabits  of 
Weasels  are  taken  from  letters  received  hj  tlie  writer 
from  farmers,  poultry  raisers,  sportsmen  and  natural- 
ists. 

JOHN   F.  THOMAS,   Carrolltown,   Cambria  County: 

I  have  known  the  Weasel  to  kill  six  full  grown  hens  in  one 
night  on  my  father's  farm.  It  is  supposed  that  it  kills  its 
victims  for  their  blood  only,  and  all  the  fowls  killed  by  it,  that 
I  have  seen,  substantiate  this,  since,  in  every  case,  the  blood 
vessels  of  the  neck  were  severed  close  to  the  head  and  there 
was  apparently  no  flesh  missing.  I  recollect  an  experience,  when 
a  boy,  that  proves  them  to  be  remarkably  bold  at  times.  I  was 
pursuing  one  that  had  in  its  mouth  a  Mouse;  in  an  attempt  to 
strike  it  with  a  stone,  I  struck  the  Mouse  with  such  force  as 
to  throw  it  a  distance  of  eight  or  nine  feet  from  the  fence,  when 
to  my  surprise,  he  immediately  left  the  fence  and  regained  the 
Mouse  and  disappeared  along  the  fence.  They  seem  to  have 
a  greater  appetite  for  Mice  and  Rats  than  poulti-y^  as  I  have 
known   them  to  be  in  my  father's  barn  for  -several  weeks  and 


482 

yet   we   never   missed    any    poultry,    but    there    was  a    noticabl<- 
decrease  of  Rats. 

A.   W.  RHOADS.  Wilkes-Barre,   Pa.: 

The  Weasel,  I  am  sure  after  years  of  personal  experience  and 
observation  and  careful  study,  is  the  worst  enemy  the  Pheas- 
ant and  Quail  have.  I  have  repeatedly  tracked  a  Weasel  that 
had  followed  the  track  of  a  Quail  and  Pheasant  in  the  snow, 
and  at  last  came  upon  the  dead  birds.  I,  on  one  occasion,  saw 
a  nest  of  thirteen  Pheasant  eg^gs,  about  to  be  hatched,  and  in 
returning  in  an  hour  found  that  eleven  of  them  had  been  de- 
stroyed by  a  Weasel   which  I  saw  and  killed. 

C.  P.  MOTT,  Milford,  Pa.: 

Weasels  are  the  greatest  destroyers  of  game  and  poultry, 
and  they  deserve  total  extinction.  1  know  of  no  redeeming 
feature  or  any  possible  usefulness  alive  in  their  wild  state. 
They  are  scarce  when  small  game  is,  and  numerous  when  such 
game  is  easy  prey.  They  seem  to  be  travelers  and  to  such 
parts  as  are  prolific  of  game.  There  is  no  escape  for  the  Rab- 
bit when  once  they  get  its  track,  and  a  nest  of  Grouse  eggs 
furnishes  him  a  meal,  if  the  hen  bird  escapes  his  quick,  stealthy 
approach.  I  consider  that  the  Weasel  has  no  equal  as  an 
enemy  of  game. 

ARTHUR   MARTIN,   Sandy   Lake,   Pa.: 

We  have  the  Weasel;  they  destroy  poultry  to  a  great  extent, 
sometimes  will  or  have  for  us,  killed  whole  broods,  but  at  the 
^me  time  are  great  hunters  for  Mice,  Rabbits  and  small  game. 

HON.  N.  F.  UNDERWOOD,  Lake  Como,  Wayne  County: 

Some  Weasels;  don't  do  much  damage;  they  will  occasionally 
destroy  chickens. 

D.  KISTLER,   Kistler,   Pa.: 

The  Weasel  abounds  and  will  kill  grown  chickens. 

ENOS  BLOOM,  New  Millport,  Clearfield  County: 
The  Weasels  are  plentiful   and  also  destructive  to  poultry. 

JOHN   F.   WEAKLY,   Slippery  Rock,   Pa.: 

Weasels  will  kill  a  whole  flock  of  Turkeys  or  Chickens  at  a 
time;  have  known  them  to  kill  as  high  as  twenty  at  a  time. 


433 


C.  R.  NOYES,  Westport,  Pa.: 

Weasels  kill  Chickens,  but  I  think  not  when  they  can  get  Rats 
or  Mice. 

The  following  table  contains  the  condensed  reports 
of  one  hundred  observers  residing  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  of  these  gentlemen,  probably  not  less  than  eighty 
five  are  practical  farmers  and  poultry  raisers. 

The  X  indicates  the  animals  specified  in  the  column- 
heading  under  which  it  occurs  which  the  Weasels  have 
been  observed  to  usually  prey  upon  by  the  gentlemen 
opposite  to  whose  names  said  mark  (X)  is  placed. 


28--n 


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WILD  GAT. 
Lynx  rufus. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Fur  moderately  full  and  soft.  Head  moderate  size  and 
rounded;  body  rather  slender;  legs  long  and  quite  stout;  soles 
of  feet  naked.  Ears  large,  erect  and  nearly  triangular  in 
shape,  and  tipped  (in  winter  specimens)  with  coarse  black 
hairs  fully  half  an  inch  long;  inner  surface  of  the  ears  fur- 
nished with  a  loose  coat  of  long,  pale,  yellowish-white  hairs, 
and  the  outer  surface  is  covered  with  short  fur,  which  Is  black, 
except   a  conspicuous  patch   of  dull   white  in   the  centre. 

Forehead  grayish-brown,  irregularly  streaked  with  dark 
brown;  whitish  streaks  above  and  below  the  eyes;  whisk- 
ers for  the  most  part  are  white;  chin  and  upper  part 
of  throat  white,  lower  part  of  throat  and  neck  very  sim- 
ilar to  sides,  but  paler.  The  upper  parts  and  sides  of  the  body 
and  legs  (outer  portions  of  the  latter)  are  pale  rufous  or  brown- 
ish-red overlaid  with  grayish,  which  latter  color  is  produced  by 
the  whitish  ends  of  the  hairs;  the  rufous  coloration  is  most 
noticeable  on  sides  of  the  body,  sides  of  the  head  below  and 
back  of  the  ears,  and  about  the  occipital  (base  of  head)  re- 
gion. The  sides  are  indistinctly  spotted  with  dark  brown,  and 
down  the  middle  of  the  back  a  more  or  less  distinct  line  of 
blackish-brown  extends  from  near  the  shoulders  to  the  base 
of  the  tail.  Under  surface  of  body  and  legs  white  and  pale- 
yellowish  spotted  with  black;  Inside  of  front  and  hind  legs 
banded  and  spotted  with  black.  The  irides  (eyes)  of  the  adults 
are  greenish-yellow  in  color,  but  in  the  young  they  are  brown. 
Individuals  of  this  species  vary  greatly  in  coloration.  In  fact 
it  is  an  exceedingly  difficult  matter  to  find  two  specimens 
exactly  alike.  Ten  specimens,  now  before  me,  captured  In 
Pennsylvania  during  tlie  winter  season,  show  a  marked  diver- 
sity in  color,  as  well  as  in  size;  and  two  or  three  individuals, 
taken  in  the  late  spring  or  early  autumn,  which  I  have  ex- 
amined, are  decidedly  more  brownish-red  in  color,  particularly 
on  the  sides,  than  those  killed  in  the  winter.  The  male  is  con- 
siderably larger  than  the  female.  In  the  month  of  January. 
1890,  I  secured  five  females  in  Cameron  and  Potter  counties, 
Pennsylvania,  which  weighed  respectively  ten  and  one-half, 
twelve,  twelve  and  three-fourths,  nine  and  one-fourth,  and 
thirteen  pounds,  or  an  average  of  about  eleven  and  one-half 
pounds  each.  Three  adult  males  which  T  captured  in  Pennsyl- 
vania during  the  months  of  January,  February  and  April, 
weighed  respectively  fifteen  and  one-fourth,  seventeen,  and 
eighteen  and  three-fourths  pounds,  or  an  average  of  seven- 
teen pounds  each.  In  the  winter  of  1892  Senator  Harry  A. 
Hall,  of  St.  Mary's  presented  me  with  a  very  fine  male  which 
had  been  killed  near  his  home  in  Elk  county.  This  animal, 
which   is   the   largest   I   ever  saw   weighed,    tipped   the   scales  at 


r 

0 
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441 

Iwenty-six  and  one-hall:  pounds.  Hunters  and  woodsmen  whom 
1  believe  to  be  reliable,  have  assured  me  that  Wildcats  are 
sometimes  taken  which  weigh  thirty -five,  forty  and  fifty  pounds 
each. 

Habitat.  — This  species  or  its  varieties  occur  generally 
throughout  the  United  States  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific. 
Tolerably  coimmon  in  the  mountains  and  sparsely  settled  dis- 
tricts of  Pennsylvania. 

A  VARIETY   OF  COMMON   NAMES. 

The  majority  of  hunters  and  woodsmeu  who  reside 
in  sections  of  Pennsylvania  where  the  Wildcat  or  Bay 
Lynx  occurs,  have  various  local  names  for  this  wary 
and  prowling  animal.  The  appellations  Bob-cat,  Oata^ 
mount,  Mountain  cat  and  Tiger  cat  are  perhaps  the 
ones  which  are  most  frequently  employed.  These 
names,  or  any  others  which  may  be  heard,  it  is  safe 
to  say,  have  reference  to  Lynx  rufvs,  which  is  doubt- 
less the  only  species  of  its  genus  found  in  the  State. 

During  the  past  five  years  I  have  made  very  careful 
inquiries  in  all  sections  of  the  Commonwealth  where 
the  Canada  Lynx  was  reported  to  occasionally  be  pre- 
sent, and  I  have  also  examined  a  number  of  specimens 
of  what  were  called  by  the  owners  "Lynx  canadensis," 
but,  as  yet,  I  have  not  been  able  to  discover  a  true  ex- 
ample of  the  Canada  Lynx,  which  may  be  distinguished 
from  its  congener,  the  common  Wildcat,  by  its  larger 
size,  longer  hair,  fuller  fur,  grayish,  hoary  color,  thick, 
heavy  and  clumsy  legs  and  the  large-sized  feet,  which 
are  so  densely  furred  (in  winter)  as  to  cover  the  soles 
or  pads.  The  ears  are  also  very  conspicuously  tufted 
with  long  black  hairs. 

There  are,  however,  it  is  said,  two  or  three  well-au- 
thenticated instances  where  specimens  of  the  Canada 
Lynx  have  been  taken  in  Pennsylvania  within  the  last 
twenty-live  years.     Possibly  future  investigations  will 


442 

enable  us  to  record  this  decidedly  uorthein  auiiiial  as 
a  rare  inhabitant  of  our  forested  areas. 

From  repeated  interviews  with  hunters  and  woods- 
men it  is  learned  that  the  Catamount  is  very  generally 
believed  to  be  a  wholly  different  species  from  the  Wild- 
cat. However,  on  questioning  these  persons  closely,  I 
find  that  size  is  about  the  only  distinctive  point  they 
can  call  to  mind  to  support  their  claim,  and  all  large- 
sized  cats  are  denominated  "Catamounts,"  and,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  smaller  ones  are  termed  wild  or  "bob" 
cats. 

ACQUIRE    MOREi  KNOWLEDGE. 

The  indiscriminate  employment  of  local  names  to 
distinguish  many  of  our  birds  and  mammals,  often- 
times leads  to  much  confusion;  but,  until  the  great 
mass  of  our  citizens  become  better  acquainted  with  the 
furred  and  feathered  inliabitants,  such  errors  are  bound 
to  occur.  In  this  connection  it  may  be  stated  that, 
through  the  wise  effci'ts  of  our  progressive  and  intelli- 
gent State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  Dr. 
N.  0.  Schaeffer,  and  his  able  assistants,  much  good 
work  has  been  done  to  create  a  popular  interest  in  zoo- 
logical study  throughout  the  Common  schools  of  the 
State.  If  Dr.  Schaeffer's  ideas  are  carried  out,  as  they 
should  and  doubtless  will  be,  the  time  will  soon  come 
when  our  school  children  will  be  readily  able  to  rec- 
ognize and  speak  intelligently  of  at  least  the  common 
birds  and  mammals  which  they  see  about  the  parks 
and  gardens,  and  in  the  fields  and  forests, 

THE  WILDCATS  FAVORITE  HAUNTS. 

The  Wildcat  inhabits  forests,  rocky  ledges  and 
briary  thickets,  but  its  favorite  place  is  in  old  slashing* 


443 

and   bark  peelings,   where,   in   the  impenetrable  and 
tangled  recesses,  it  is  comparatively  safe  from  pursuit: 
and  it  is  also  able  to  prey  upon  many  varieties  of  ani 
mals  which  ha^e  a  permanent  or  temporary  residence 
in  such  unfrequented  wilds. 

There  are  large  tracts  of  land  in  the  mountainous 
districts  of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  the  marketable 
forest  trees  have  long  since  been  cut.  These  places. 
called  slashings  and  bark  peelings,  in  many  instances 
are  thickly  strewn  with  decaying  logs,  fallen  trees  thai 
were  cut  down  for  the  bark,  brush  piles,  tree  tops. 
Such  situations  so  overgrow-n  with  bushes,  young  trees, 
briars,  and  frequently  large  patches  of  buck  laurel 
(rhodcdendrc.n)  as  to  be  almost  impassable  unless  one 
selects  the  old  log  roadways  which  traverse  extensive 
areas.  In  these  places  Rabbits  and  other  quadrupeds, 
Pheasants  and  many  different  kinds  of  small  birds  tind 
an  excellent  cover. 

WIDD  CATS  INCREASING  IN  SOME  PLACES. 

Through  my  own  personal  observations  in  the  field 
and  also  from  the  statements  of  thoroughly  trust- 
worthy hunters,  trappers  and  lumbermen  I  am  of  the 
opinion  tJiat  this  species  has  been  increasing  during  the 
last  four  or  five  years  in  several  of  our  counties, 
namely,  Elk,  Clearfield,  Forest,  Cameron,  Centime  and 
McKean,  where  large  districts  have  been  denuded  of 
their  forest  trees. 

At  the  last  session  (1897)  of  the  Legislature  when  the 
bounty  bill  was  under  discussion  both  in  committee 
and  before  the  House  of  Representatives,  it  was  clearly 
shown  that  Wildcats  were  not  only  a  cause  of  consid- 
eiable  loss  annually  to  poultry  raisers,  but  that  they 
also  killed  many  deer  (both  adults  and  fawns),  great 


444 

numbers  of  KuftVd  Grouse,  Rabbits,  besides  a  large 
uumber  of  the  smaller  species  of  insectivorous  and  song 
birds.  It  was  also  clearly  demonstrated  to  the  law- 
makers that  Wildcats  were  increasing  quite  rapidly  in 
the  several  counties  previously  particularized  by  name. 
The  Wildcat  subsists  entirely  on  a  flesh  diet,  and  the 
damage  this  species  doK^s  in  destroying  poultry,  lambs 
and  young  pigs  of  farmers  who  reside  in  the  sparsely- 
settled  mountainous  regions  is  not  in  any  degree  com- 
pensated by  the  destruction  of  other  small  wild  ani- 
mals which  molest  the  farmer's  crops  or  his  poultry. 

TMEY    PURSUE    AND    KILL    DEER. 

Wildcats,  as  will  be  seen  by  consulting  the  testimony 
of  numerous  contributors  on  the  latter  pages  of  this 
article,  are  very  detrimental  to  game.  They  unques- 
tionably kill  many  young  Deer  and  they  also  not  infre- 
quently, it  is  said,  attack  and  kill  the  adult  Deer. 
United  States  District  Attoiney  Hon.  H.  A.  Hall,  of 
Pittsburgh,  informs  me  that  at  St.  Mary's,  Elk  co-uuty, 
where  Messrs.  Andrew  Kaul  and  J.  K.  P.  Hall  own  a 
game  preserve  of  probably  650  acres,  in  which  are  con- 
fined a  large  number  of  deer,  there  is  much  trouble  ex- 
perienced from  the  Wildcats  disturbing  the  Deer.  Mr. 
Hall  further  states  that  small  bands  (probably  families) 
of  these  carnivorous  animals,  in  the  winter  when  snow 
is  on  the  ground,  sometimes  pursue,  like  dogs,  full 
grown  Deer,  which  they  run  down  and  kill. 

MANY   KINDS  OF  BIRDS   SL,.A.IN. 

One  of  the  few,  in  fact,  about  the  only  species  of  game 
bird  that  is  at  all  numerous,  which  the  sportsman  can 
go  in  quest  of  in  this  Commonwealth  without  almc<5t 
continually   coming  in   contact   with   trespass   notices 


445 

warning  him  to  "lieep  off  the  grass"  is  the  Ruffed 
Grouse  or  Pheasant,  and,  unfortunately,  the  favorite 
haunts  of  this  noble  game  bird  are  in  localities  where 
the  Wildcat  loves  to  sneak,  hide  and  depredate.  The 
cautious  and  ravenous  "cat"  is  passionately  fond  of 
Grouse.  He  destroys  them,  both  old  and  young,  and 
also  their  eggs  whenever  an  opportunity  presents  itself. 
He  kills  Wild  Turkeys  and  sucks  their  eggs,  it  is 
affirmed,  whenever  a  nest  can  be  found.  The  number 
of  small  insectivorous  and  wild  song  birds,  that  nest  on 
the  ground  or  in  low  bushes,  which  he  destroys  during 
the  summer  season,  about  the  slashings  and  abandoned 
lumber  camps,  is  considerable. 

MAMMALS,   EGGS,   ETC.,   ARE   DEVOURED. 

Rabbits,  Squirrels,  Mice  and  Skunks  are  also  eaten 
by  Wildcats,  and  in  the  southern  States  Audubon  says 
they  visit  sometimes 

"The  dry  beds  of  streams  or  brooks  to  pick  up  the  catfish, 
etc.,  or  crayfish  and  frogs  that  remain  in  the  deep  holes  of  the 
creeks  during  the  droug-ht  of  summer."  The  same  authority 
states  that  "the  wildcat  is  a  great  destroyer  of  eggs,  and 
never  finds  a  nest  of  Grouse  or  Partridge,  Wild  Turkey  or 
other  bird  without  sucking  every  egg  in  it." 

HUNTS   THE   QUILLFUL  PORCUPINE. 

About  ten  years  ago  I  spent  ten  days  or  two  weeks  in 
the  winter  in  company  with  two  hunters  and  trappers 
in  Cameron  and  Elk  counties.  We  secured  nine  Wild- 
cats; two  with  guns,  the  remainder  with  steel  traps, 
and  on  examining  these  animals  I  found  that  three  of 
them  were  well  filled  with  quills  of  the  Porcupine. 
This  led  me  to  infer  that  the  Wildcat  does  not  hesitate 
to  attack  an  animal  capable  of  making  a  pretty  vigor 
ons  defense. 


446 


METHODS    OF   CATCHING    GAME. 

Wildcats  hunt  both  bj  day  and  night;  but,  like  thp 
great  majority  of  thieves  and  murderers,  they  appear 
to  select  the  darkness  as  the  most  auspicious  time  to 
rommit  their  deeds  of  violence.  When  a  Wildcat  dis 
covers  a  flock  of  Wild  Turkeys,  Pheasants  or  a  Rabbit 
running  on  the'  ground,  he  will  follow  tbem  for  some 
distance,  and  when  he  ascertains  the  direction  in  which 
they  are  going,  will  make  a  quick  detour  and,  conceal- 
ing himself  behind  a  log,  in  the  brush,  or  on  a  low 
branch  of  a  tree,  will  hide,  and,  like  an  assassin,  wait 
patiently  until  his  prey  comes  within  reach.  I  once, 
when  hunting  "white  rabbits"  in  Cameron  county,  saw 
a  Wildcat  run  into  a  clump  of  laurel  and  lie  in  ambush 
until  a  Rabbit,  which  he  had  been  chasing,  approached 
within  springing  distance.  The  Rabbit  ran  up  a  nar- 
row roadway  and  when  within  a  few  feet  of  the  laurel 
bed  suddenly  stopped.  Instantly  the  cat  sprang  upon 
it  and  seizing  it  in  his  mouth  ran  directly  up  the  moun- 
tain side,  where  my  companions  shot  him. 

COWARDLY   ANIMALS. 

Romancing  newspaper  correspo-n dents  and  hunters 
with  fertile  imaginations  have  been  instrumental  in 
creating  an  impression,  which  seems  to  be  generally 
accepted  by  the  common  mass  of  people  who  are  not 
acquainted  with  tie  true  nature  of  Wildcats,  that  these 
animals  are  daring,  ferocious  and  always  on  the  out- 
look to  spill  human  gore,  and  that  they  will  not  hesitate 
an  instant  to  attack  human  beings,  no  matter  how  big 
or  ugly  the  latter  may  be.  This,  however,  is  not  the 
case.  Wildcats  are  cowardly  and  will  flee  from  their 
pursuers,  but  if  wounded  and  unable  to  escape,  or  if 
surprised  in  a  place  where  they  cannot  get  away  and 


447 

forced  to  give  battle,  they  will  fight  viciously  and  do 
great  execution  with  their  strong  retractile  claws  and 
sharp  teeth. 

TREED    HER    LOVER. 

One  of  oui-  correspondents  in  southwestern  Pennsyl- 
vania wnting  on  this  topic  says:  "Tlie  Catamount  is  a 
destructive  and  ferocious  animal,  for  one  attacked  me 
one  night  when  I  was  going  home  from  courting  a  girl 
and  treed  me  on  a  fence  and  I  had  to  stay  there  till  day- 
light." This  surely  is  a  unique  case,  and  it  possibly 
may  be  that  Wlidoats  are  inclined  to  attack  young  men 
who  are  in  love. 

WHERE    THE    YOUNG    ARE    FOUND. 

The  Wildcat  usually  makes  its  domicile  or  nest  in  a 
hollow  tree  or  log.  The  nest  is  well  lined  with  leaves, 
moss  and  lichens  (Usnea  barbata  and  its  varieties), 
called  commonly  "hair  moss."  Tlie  nest  is  also  some- 
times found  in  rocky  ledges  and  caves.  From  two  to 
four  constitute  a  litter.  It  is  stated  that  the  young  are 
brought  forth  about  the  middle  of  May.  Wildcats  may 
be  caught  in  traps  baited  with  Rabbits,  chickens. 
Grouse  or  fresh  meat.  Their  fur  has  very  little  com- 
mercial value. 

WHAT   FARMERS   AND   HUNTERS   TELL   OF   THEM. 

The  agitation  of  game  laws  and  bounty  or  scalp  acts 
at  the  session  of  our  legislature,  1893,  was  largely  in- 
strumental in  arousing  a  widespread  interest  in  these 
subjects  on  the  part  of  farmers,  fruit  growers,  sports- 
men and  naturalists  in  almost  every  county  of  the 
State.  Since  the  Legislature  (1893),  adjourned  there 
have  been  received  at  our  office  about  five  luindred  com- 


448 

munications  bearing  on  the  economic  relations  of  dif- 
ferent wild  animals,  chief  among  which,  so  far  as  mam- 
mals are  concerned,  may  be  mentioned  Foxes,  Minks, 
Weasels,  Wildcats,  Rabbits,  Skunks,  Woodchucks, 
Muskrats  and  Raccoons. 

In  view  of  the  unusual  interest  manifested  by  our 
citizens  on  the  bounty  question  and  also  of  the  habits 
in  general  of  our  common  mammals,  the  writer  pre- 
pared a  circular  soliciting  information  concerning  the 
life  histories  of  mammals  attributed  to  the  State.  This 
circular,  early  in  January,  1894,  was  distributed  to 
farmers,  fruit  growers,  naturalists,  sportsmen,  hunters 
and  trappers  in  nearly  every  county  of  the  Common- 
wealth. 

The  following  questions  in  regard  to  the  Wildcat  ap- 
pear in  said  circular: 

1.  Please  state  whether  the  Wildcat  is  found  in  your  county, 
and  whether  it  is  rare,   common  or  only  tolerably   common. 

2.  If  Wildcats  occur  in  your  neighborhood  or  county,  state 
whether  or  not  their  depredations  to  game,  poultry  and  small 
wild  birds  are  of  a  serious  character?  Have  ypu  ever  known 
Wildcats  to  attack  persons?    If  so,  give  full  particulars. 

3.  Have  you  personal  knowledge  of  one  err  more  cases  in 
which  cattle,  sheep  or  pigs  have  been  killed  or  injured  by 
Wildcats?    If  so,   give   full   particulars. 

4.  Have  you  personal  knowledge  of  one  or  more  cases  in 
which  Wildcats  have  killed  or  injured  deer,  old  or  young. 
Wildcats?    If  so,   give   full  particulars. 

5.  Have  you  personal  knowledge  of  the  loss  of  turkeys,  geese, 
ducks,  chickens  or  pigeons  from  the  attacks  of  predatory 
mammals?  If  so,  how  many,  and  what  kinds  were  killed  on 
each  occasion?  In  each  case  mention  the  animal  by  which 
you  suppose  the  mischief  was  done,  and  your  reasons  for  this 
belief.  Also  mention  the  kinds  of  mammals  which  destroy  the 
eggs  of  poultry,  and  give  full  particulars  of  cases  which  have 
come  under  your  personal  observation. 

6.  Do  you  favor  the  paying  of  bounties?  If  so,  on  what  ani- 
mals, in  your  opinion,  should  bounties  be  paid?  Are  you  in 
favor   of   the    bounty    being   paid    by    the   countie.<5   in    which    thp 


449 

animals  are  slain,  or  that  said  bounties  should  be  paid  by  the 
State? 

Tn  response  to  these  interrogatories  a  considenible 
amount  of  instructive  and  interesting  information  is 
given  on  the  succeeding  pages  from  letters  of  the  gen- 
tlemen who  are  credited  ^^"ith  their  observations: 

GEO.   M.   DAY,   Wayne  County: 

Wildcats  are  not  plenty  this  winter  ('94).  Eight  have  been 
killed  that  I  have  heard  of.  They  are  very  destructive  to  rab- 
bits, squirrels,  ruffed  grouse  and  other  small  game  easily 
caught  by  them  in  winter.  A  large  one  was  tracked  by  a  hun- 
ter some  years  ago,  and  found  to  have  eaten  three  rabbits  and 
a  ruffed  grouse,  all  fresh,  caught  on  same  day.  The  skins  of 
the  rabbits  were  turned  flesh  side  out  on  the  snow,  and  the  cat 
seemed  to  Rave  room  for  more,  as  it  was  still  hunting  when 
the  hunter  gave  up  the  chase.  I  have  caught  several  of  them 
in  steel  traps  and  saved  one  alive.  With  the  help  of  two  young 
men  we  drove  it  out  of  the  woods,  using  a  pitch-fork  behind 
and  a  fish-pole  attached  to  a  trap  chain  ahead,  as  gentle  per- 
suaders to  keep  the  peace,  etc.  It  would  hang  back  behind 
every  bush  at  first,  then  a  poke  with  the  fork  would  send  it. 
full  S'pring,  at  my  face  the  length  of  the  chain.  When  out  of 
the  woods  it  sulked  and  lay  on  the  snow,  and  was  dragged  to 
a  small  crate,  lifted  in,  and  a  board  placed  on  the  box,  com- 
pleting the  capture.  I  have  never  known  on«  to  attack  any 
one,  but  their  sharp  claws  and  muscular  forearms  make  them 
look  like  dangerous  customers.  The  usual  weight  of  Wildcats 
is  twelve  to  twenty-five  pounds.  One  killed  by  S.  Maloney  near 
Beech  Pond,  in  1892,  weighed  forty-two  pounds.  I  caught  one 
the  same  season  which  weighed  about  twenty-five  pounds. 

MESSRS.  HERMAN  and  OTTO  BEHR,  Lopez.  Sullivan  county: 

Wildcats  are  common  in  this  county.  Think  that  they  do 
(luite  an  amount  of  damage  to  game,  as  they  live  entirely  on 
flesh.  Have  seen  where  they  caught  black  squirrels,  white 
rabbits,  porcupines  and  one  deer.  The  deer  mentioned  was  an 
old  doe  caught  in  the  summer  time;  when  found  it  was  partly 
eaten  and  covered  with  leaves'.  It  was  captured  by  the  Wild- 
cat leaping  on  its  back  and  biting  it  on  the  top  of  neck.  A  friend 
set  a  trap  and  caught  the  cat,  which  proved  to  be  a  large  male. 

29-11 


450 

TIave  s€eii  where  one  chased  a  lawn  a  distance  of  about  one 
hundred  rods,  but  gave  up  the  pursuit  when  the  deer  ran  up 
a  steep  hill.  They  occasionally  enter  a  chicken  coop  and  do 
some  damage.  Such  visits,  however,  are  rather  rare.  Do  not 
think  that  they  would  attack  a  person  unless  cornered.  We 
caught  an  old  male  Wildcat  in  a  bear  pen  m  spring  of  1889, 
which,  during  the  six  months  that  we  kept  it,  became  rath«T 
tame  and  listened  to  its  name,  "Jim."  He  would  eat  out  of 
one's  hand,  if  you  trusted  yourself,  and  would  purr  like  a 
spinning  wheel  when  we  came  around  its  cage. 

We  sent  him  to  the  "Zoo"  in  Philadelphia,  and  on  calling 
there  a  year  later  we  found  him  asleep  in  a  cage  with  another 
smaller  Wildcat.  On  calling  him  by  his  name  he  got  up  and 
purred,  apparently  recognizing  us  after  an  absence  of  one  year. 

There  is  very  general  opinion  among  hunters  and  other  peo- 
ple that  there  are  two  different  kinds  of  Wildcats,  a  small  and 
a  large  variety.  We  looked  this  up  carefully  and  found  only 
one  kind,  and  came  to  the  conclusion  that  whenever  a  half- 
grown  lynx  was  caught  it  was  called  a  Wildcat,  while  a  very 
large  specimen  was  called  a  Catamount. 

Their  fur  is  subject  to  change  in  color  during  the  year.  In 
Summer  it  assumes  a  reddish  tinge,  while  in  the  fall  it  be- 
comes gray.  We  think  one  of  the  causes  that  Wildcats  are  not 
more  abundant  is  their  habit  of  catching  Porcupines.  Nearly 
all  fhe  Wildcats  we  caught  had  quills  in  their  bodies.  One  old 
male  cat  in  particular  was  covered  with  sores  caused  by 
quills,  and  he  had  some  all  through  his  body,  which  would 
doubtless  have  been  the  cause  of  his  death  if  left  to  himself. 
We  do  not  favor  the  paying  of  bounties. 

DR.  J.  E.  CLEVELAND,   Bradford  County: 

Wildcats  occasionally  get  into  barn-yards  and  hen-roosts  and 
destroy  poultry  in  winters  of  deep  snow,  but  they  prey  mostly 
on  young  Grouse,  Quail,  Rabbits  and  small  birds.  A  Mr.  Krise, 
while  returning  from  Blossburg  to  his  home  in  Liberty  town- 
ship, sometime  last  November  (1S93),  had  to  pass  over  Briar 
Hill,  where  there  was  a  dense  thicket  of  briars  and  brush  on 
both  sides  of  the  highway,  about  dusk.  A  large  catamount 
sprang  upon  the  back  of  one  of  his  horses  and  fastened  its 
teeth  into  the  horse's  flesh.  The  man  having  no  weapons  with 
him,  jumped  from  the  wagon,  seized  the  cat  by  its  neck,  tore 
it  from  the  horse  and  by  sheer  strength  choked  it  to  death. 
The  man's  clothes  were  torn  to  shreds  and  his  body  ar>d  limbs 
were  flight  fully  t"rn  and  lacerated. 


45t 

Sometime  in  the  sixties  I  was  called  to  see  a  patient  who 
lived  on  the  head  waters  of  the  Tioga  river  in  Ward  township, 
Tioga  county,  Penna.  When  I  arrived  at  the  house,  some  of 
the  boys  of  the  family  had  just  returned  from  the  woods  with 
a  load  of  Are  wood  and  reported  that  a  "Painter"  had  killed  a 
large  deer  in  their  sugar  camp.  As  there  was  a  fresh  snow 
on  the  ground  I  investigated  and  found  the  tracks  of  the 
marauder  along  the  body  of  a  hemlock  tree,  which  'had  been 
turned  up  by  the  roots.  It  had  perched  itself  on  the  roots, 
and  had  remained  there  until  the  warmth  of  its  body  had 
melted  away  the  snow.  The  deer,  a  two-year-old  doe,  had 
been  feeding  and  had  not  suspected  danger  until  too  late  to 
escape.  The  struggle  was  long  and  severe  as  shown  by  the 
upturned  leaves  and  trodden  down  snow.  The  victor  had  par- 
taken of  a  hearty  meal  from  the  neck  and  fore  shoulder  of  the 
deer.  I  procured  a  steel  fox  trap  and  set  it  by  the  dead  deer. 
On  visiting  the  carcass  the  next  day  I  found  trap  and  drag 
gone.  I  followed  the  trail  a  few  rods  and  found  a  large  cata- 
mount with  the  trap  to  his  hind  leg.  I  could  cite  another  in- 
stance where  a  Wildcat  had  killed  a  yearling  deer.  Am  in 
favor  of  a  bounty.  Let  each  county  pay  its  jwn  bounty,  but 
only  to  its  own  citizens. 

JAMES  THOMAS,   Clearfield  County: 

Wildcats  are  very  destructive  to  game,  poultry  and  small 
wild  birds.  I  know  of  two  cases  where  they  have  been  very 
bold.  A  man  of  my  acquaintance  was  carrying-  a  quarter  of 
beef  through  a  small  strip  of  woods  and  a  Wildcat  attacked 
him,  tore  his  clothes  and  scratched  him  badly.  Another  man 
once  got  a  ham,  weighing  about  twenty  pounds,  and  put  it  in 
a  cave  some  twenty  feet  from  the  house  and  the  next  morning 
it  was  gone.  I  found  It  in  a  field,  and  seeing  the  tracks  of  a 
Wildcat  leading  to  and  from  the  ham,  I  set  a  trap  and  caught 
the  animal  on  the  following  night.  It  was  about  four  feet 
seven  and  one-half  inches  long  and  weighed  twenty-eight  and 
one-half  pounds.     Am  favorable  to  a  bounty  paid  by  the  State. 

A.    W.    COLEGROVE,    McKean   County: 

Wildcats  are  common  in  this  county,  and  are  very  detrimen- 
tal to  game.  Rabbits  and  pheasants  are  their  principal  sub- 
sistence. They  will  track  a  Rabbit  like  a  hound  and  have  as 
good  a  nose  for  birds  as  a  pointer.  They  usually  kill  more 
than  the  sportsmen  or  pot  hunter.  They  will  not  attack  a 
person    unless   cornered.     1    have   kill*^d    many   and    hut    in   one 


452 

instance  have  I  ever  seen  one  show  fight.  I  once  had  one 
cornered  in  the  rocks,  and  after  vainly  trying  to  escajpe  he 
turned  upon  me,  when  a  shot  between  the  eyes  settled  the  bat- 
tle. Wildcats  will  attack  deer;  I  have  killed  deer  that  showed 
evidences  of  a  fight  with  them.  Red  Foxes  are  very  numerous 
here  and  exceedingly  destructive  to  game.  They,  with  the 
Wildcats,  will  exterminate  game  in  a  short  time  unless  some- 
thing is  done  to  eradicate  them.  A  large  portion  of  this  county 
consists  of  old  slashings  and  bark  peelings  which  make  an 
ideal  home  for  the  cats  and  foxes.  Since  the  county  commis- 
sioners have  refused  to  pay  bounty  on  these  predatory  ani- 
mals they  have  increased  to  a  frightful  extent.  Their  pelts 
alone  are  not  a  sufficient  incentive  for  hunters  to  trap 
them.  T  am  in  favor  of  a  bounty  on  Foxes,  Wild- 
cats, and  also  on  certain  kinds  of  hawks  and  owls; 
to  be  paid  either  by  county  or  State.  When  the  bounty 
law  was  in  force,  game,  such  as  Rabbits  and  Pheasants, 
increased  in  proportion  to  the  depletion  of  their  four-footed 
and  feathered  enemies.  Since  then  it  has  changed  and  un- 
less there  is  an  incentive  for  trappers  the  sportsmen  must  soon 
hang  up  his  gun  and  use  his  pointer  for  sausage. 

A.   KOCH,  Williamsport,   Lycoming  County: 

Wildcats  have  been  too  rare  in  our  neighborhood  for  more 
than  forty  years  to  hear  of  any  depredations.  Know  of  an  in- 
stance where  a  boy,  in  winter,  killed  a  large  Wildcat  with  a 
stone.  Favor  a  bounty  and  think  it  should  be  paid  by  the 
county. 

ZIBA   SCOTT,   Lackawanna  County: 

The  Wildcat  is  one  of  the  most  destructive  animals  we  have, 
both  to  the  farmers  and  to  game.  Wildcats  as  a  general  thing 
do  not  trouble  the  farmer  much  in  the  winter  time,  when  they 
retire  to  the  forests  and  subsist  principally  on  rabbits  and 
Pheasants.  At  this  season  of  the  year,  when  snow  is  deep,  the 
pheasants  live  mainly  on  buds  of  the  trees.  When  the  pheas- 
ant has  gotten  its  crop  full  of  buds  it  often  dives  under  the 
snow  leaving  a  hole  where  it  goes  in.  Here  is  where  the  Wild- 
cat gets  in  his  deadly  work  on  the  unsuspecting  Grouse.  He 
sneaks  along  until  he  gets  within  a  bound  of  the  place  where 
the  bird  rests  and  with  one  leap  he  lands  right  over  the  hole 
where  the  bird  sits,  and  nine  times  out  of  ten  he  gets  the 
Phea.sant.  I  have  seen  hundreds  of  places  in  my  time  whe-e 
pheasants  have  been  caught  in  the  manner  just  described.  In 
the  summer  time  when  the  leaves  are  out  the  Wildcat  is  the 


453 

source  of  much  loss  to  the  farmer.  He  then  lurks  about  the 
grass  and  g'rainfields  waiting  for  chickens,  turkeys  or  other 
kinds  of  poultry,  and  sometimes  he  gets  in  amongst  the  sheep. 
About  two  years  ago  one  of  my  neighbors,  Mr.  Joshua  Doran, 
of  Covington  township,  had  three  half-grown  lambs  killed  by 
a  cat. 

TOWNSEND  PRICE,  Monroe  County: 

Wildcats  are  quite  numerous  here,  and  their  depredations  to 
game  and  lambs  certainly  are  of  a  serious  character.  Never 
knew  them  to  attack  persons  and  do  not  think  they  would  un- 
less they  could  not  get  away.  I  have  personal  knowledge  of 
black  bears,  killing  cattle,  sheep  and  pigs.  Last  year  (1893)  I 
had  the  misfortune  to  have  between  thirty  and  forty  sheep 
killed  by  bears.  In  the  northern  part  of  Monroe  county,  near 
the  line  of  Pike  county,  there  is  a  great  deal  of  land  which  is 
useless  except  for  grazing,  as  the  tiniher  has  been  cut  for  the 
bark  and  it  burns  over  nearly  every  year.  This  is  the  place 
where  the  bears  and  Wildcats  have  been  doing  their  destruc- 
tive work  for  the  past  few  years.  If  there  is  not  sufficient 
bounty  placed  on  these  animals  to  decrease  them  this  pasture 
ground  will  have  to  be  abandoned.  I  have  known  Wildcats 
to  bite  lambs  in  the  neck  and  then  leave  them  lav  Favor 
bounty  being  paid  by  State. 

J.    C.    HE'YLER,    Nauvoo,    Tioga   County: 

The  greatest  enemies  the  sportsman  has  to  deal  with  are 
Wildcats.  They  certainly  destroy  more  Ruffed  Grouse  than 
anything  in  the  woods.  I  have  known  them  to  scent  Grouse  as 
much  as  eighty  yards  and  catch  them  without  any  difficulty; 
and  I  have  seen  them  capture  Grouse  on  nests.  They  catch 
and  devour  numerous  other  kinds  of  birds,  and  also  kill  small 
deer.  I  lose  on  an  average  from  three  to  seven  lambs  in  a 
season  by  them.  A  Wildcat  sometime  ago  visited  the  home  of 
one  of  my  neighbors  and  in  one  night  killed  twenty-six  chick- 
ens. 

C.  K.  SOBER,  Lewisburg,  Union  County: 

Wildcats  destroy  game  and  poultry.  At  Glen  Union  a  fam- 
ily of  these  animals  inhabited,  until  recentlyj  a  cavern  in  the 
mountains.  In  this  place  I  found  the  bones  and  remains  of 
fawns,  poultry  and  other  kinds  of  animals,  which  they  had 
carried  there  to  feed  upon.  I  regard  Wildcats  as  the  greatest 
enemies  we  have  to  game,  such  as  Pheasants,  Fawns  and  Rab- 


454 

bits.     Am    in    l'a\oi    of    a    liberal    bounty    being    placed    on    their 
worthless   heads. 

JOHN    E.    STOCKER,    Luzerne   County: 

We  have  Wildcats  and  Catamounts  and  they  are  very  de- 
trimental to  game.  They  occur  most  plentifully  on  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  mountains  in  the  neighborhood  of  Triangle  and  Crystal 
lakes,  and  also  on  the  North  mountains;  the  latter  are  better 
suited  for  them,  as  there  more  game,  large  and  small,  abounds. 
Favor  bounty  being  paid  by  the  county. 

GEORGE   R.   BOAK.  Pine  Green,   Centre  County: 

Wildcats  are  plentiful  and  very  destructive  to  our  game;  are 
particularly  bad  about  killing  pheasants  and  they  also  destroy 
young  deer  in  our  game  preserve.  We  introduced  Wild  Tur- 
keys into  our  preserve  and  the  Wildcats  and  Foxes  destroyed 
both  old  and  young  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  we  tried 
faithfully  to  exterminate  them  through  the  aid  of  traps,  poison 
and  guns.     Favor  a  bounty  being  paid  by  the  county. 

WM.   B.   BIGLER,   M.   D.   York  County: 

They  are  so  rare  in  this  county  that  little  is  known  of  their 
depredations.  One  killed  a  few  years  ago,  near  Brogueville, 
was  said   to  have  killed  and  eaten  a  number  of  chickens. 

DR.  A.  B.  MacCREA,  Berwick,  Columbia  County: 

Wildcats  are  comparatively  common  in  some  parts  of  the 
county,  and  no  doubt  destroy  game  to  a  considerable  extent, 
but  they  do  not,  it  seems,  disturb  poultry  very  often. 

W.  B.  K.  JOHNSON,  Allentown,  Lehigh  County: 

No  Wildcats  in  this  county  so  far  as  I  know.  Possibly  spme 
may  be  present  in  the  extreme  northern  part  of  Lehigh.  I 
have  travelled  where  the  lynx  was  numerous;  never  knew  of 
grown  persons  being  attacked,  but  have  been  told  chickens 
were.  They  live  on  game,  birds,  small  lambs  and  young  pigs. 
I  have  helped  to  hunt  them  in  Florida  when  lambs  and  pigs 
were  thus  killed. 

N.  W.  MILLER,  Fayette  County: 

I  think  it  would  be  right  to  put  a  bounty  of,  say,  two  dollars, 
on  the  Wildcat,  as  this  animal  is  very  destructive  to  game. 
One   Wildcat    will    kill    more   game   than   six   hunters   in   a  sea- 


son,  as  animals  uf  this  species  hunt  both  night  and  day.  1  have 
seen  large  Wild  Turkeys  killed  by  ihem  and  have  taken  theli 
track  from  the  dead  turkey,  following  it  and  killed  them. 
Have  never  known  a  Wildcat  to  attack  anyone;  I  have  climbed 
trees  and  shaken  them  off  to  the  dogs  at  different  times. 

H.    T.    FRAXKENFIELD,    Monroe   County; 

Catamounts  are  quite  numerous.  They  kill  Grouse,  Rabbits, 
and  the  young  Deer;  1  have  known  Deer  to  be  killed  and 
partly  eaten  by  Wildcats  and  then  covered  with  leaves.  They 
I'ank  with  Foxes  in  destroying  poultry  and  game.  I  have  never 
known   them   to   attack   persons   unless    wounded. 

L.    M.   KARSTETTER,   Clinton   County: 

Wildcats  are  very  destructive  to  game  such  as  Fawns,  Tur- 
keys, Grouse  and,  in  fact,  birds  of  all  kinds,  and  when  pressed 
by  hunger  they  visit  the  barnyard  for  any  kind  of  prey  they 
can  capture.  I  have  known  Wildcats  on  several  occasions  to 
catch  and  kill  full  grown  Deer.  A  bounty  of  not  less  than 
five  dollars  should  be  allowed. 

R.   S.   STOVER,   Centre   County: 

Wildcats  are  the  worst  animals  we  have  in  this  locality. 
A  few  years  ago  they  killed  two  deer  within  a  half-mile  of  my 
place;  they  destroy  a  great  many  young  deer.  1  favor  a  bounty 
of  at  least  four  or  five  dollars  and  think  it  should  be  paid  by 
the  State. 

H.  K.  MENSCH.  Lycoming  County: 

Wildcats  are  few  in  this  locality  but  they  should  not  be  al- 
lowed to  exist  as  they  possess  no  good  traits  and  are  capable 
of  doing  much  mischief.  A  liberal  bounty  should  be  paid  foi- 
their  scalps. 

CAPT.    JOHX    M.     lU'CKALEW,    Columliia    County: 

When  woods  approach  near  a  farm  house  Wildcats  or  Cata- 
mounts sometimes  catch  our  chickens.  They  destroy  the 
Pheasant,  Quail,  and  almost  anything  that  comes  within 
reach,  as  Rabbits,  Skunks,  etc.  Not  dangerous  to  man  but 
will  fight  when  wounded  or  cornered.  They  are  becoming 
rather  laie   hert>      Yes.   am    in    favor  of  a   bounty. 


456 

J.  WARREN  JACOBS,   Wayensburff.   Green  County: 

Wildcats  are  very  rare;  two  have  been  recorded  ^lere  during 
the  past  ten  years. 

JACOB   B.   MEIXEL,    Cumberland   County: 

Wildcats  do  serious  damage  to  Pheasants,  and  I  have  knuwn 
them  to  kill  fox  hounds  in  a  chase.  I  favor  a  bounty  to  be 
paid  by  the  county. 

X.    H.    PARKER.    McKean    County: 

The  Wildcat  is  too  wild  and  wary  to  visit  residences  much, 
but  occasionally  takes  a  goose,  chicken,  or  a  turkey.  Subsists 
mainly  on  game  in  the  woods;  Rabbits  and  occasionally  a  young 
Deer. 

A.  P.   BREWER,   McKean  County: 

Wildcats  are  quite  plentiful  in  some  localities.  They  do  a 
great  deal  of  damage  to  Pheasants  and  sometimes  to  chickens 
and  turkeys.     I  never  knew  them  to  kill  lambs. 

MERION    E.    KEMERER,    Carbon   County: 

Wildcats  are  numerous  In  some  parts  of  our  county,  espec- 
ially in  the  Pine  Swamp.  They  destroy  all  kinds  of  poultry 
and  much  game.  I  favor  a  liberal  bounty  for  their  destruc- 
tion. 

C.  W.  DICKINSON,   McKean  County: 

Wildcats  are  common  here.  They  live  chiefly  on  small  game 
such  as  birds.  Partridges  (Grouse),  Rabbits  and  sometimes 
they  attack  larger  game.  I  never  knew  one  to  attack  a  per- 
son and  I  have  killed  lots  of  them.  I  have  seen  where  Wild- 
cats have  killed  a  full  grown  deer.  Three  times  in  my  life 
I  have  known  of  Wildcats  killing  Deer.  I  have  known  Wild- 
cats to  kill  sheep  and  poultry.  I  am  in  favor  of  placing  a 
bounty  of  three  dollars   on   the  Wildcat  or  Catamount. 

TUNIS  SMITH,   Wayne  County: 

Wildcats  are  plentiful.  They  destroy  poultry  but  are  most 
destructive  to  game  and  small  wild  birds.  From  personal  ob- 
servation have  never  known  them  to  kill  Deer,  but  have  no 
doubt  that  they  do  destroy  many,  for  while  hunting  Deer  I 
have  seen  where  they  have  followed  them  for  miles.  Have 
never  known  them  to  kill  sheep  or     lambs,  luit   I  do  know  of 


457 

one  instance  where  they  took  young  pigs.  I  think  a  high 
bounty  should  be  paid  for  their  destruction  because  they  are 
so  detrimental  to  game  that  if  something  is  not  done  to  ex- 
terminate them  they  will  destroy  nearly  all  the  game  in  the 
woods,  such  as  Pheasants  and  Rabbits. 

J.  B.  OVIATT,  McKean  County. 

Wildcats  are  tolerably  common  and  very  destructive  to  game. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  they  kill  a  good  many  Deer, 
especially  when  the  snow  is  deep  and  crusty.  Have  known 
them  to  kill  lambs,  fowls,  etc.  They  would  not  attack  a  per- 
son unless  in  a  place  where  they  could  not  easily  escape.  I 
favor  a  bounty  of  not  less  than  three  or  more  than  five  dol- 
lars. 

DR.    C.    E.    GOLDSBOROUGH,    Adams  County: 

Wildcats  are  tolerably  common  in  the  mountains  of  this 
county.  They  kill  all  kinds  of  feathered  game  and  Rabbits, 
and  are  believed  to  destroy  young  Deer.  Am  not  in  favor  of 
a  bounty  being  paid  for  any  animal. 

JASPER   T.   JENNINGS,   Su.=;quehanna   County: 

Wildcats  are  very  rare;  however,  one  is  now  and  then  met 
with  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county.  Years  ago  when  the 
species  was  numerous  in  this  vicinity  poultry  and  lambs  were 
often  destroyed.  I  once  cut  down  a  large  birch  stub  that  was 
hollow  at  the  top,  where  it  had  been  broken  off  some  forty 
feet  from  the  ground,  and  within  the  hollow  I  found  nearly 
half  a  bushel  of  bones  and  the  skulls  of  Rabbits,  Chipmunks, 
Squirrels,  etc.,  intermingled  with  a  mass  of  sticks  and  rotten 
wood   where  a  Wildcat  had  lately  had  its  den  or  nest. 

LINCOLN   WELLS,    Bradford   County: 

Wildcats  are  present  in  some  portions  of  our  county.  They 
do  considerable  damage  to  game  of  different  kinds,  especially 
Grouse,  and  small  wild  birds.  Favor  a  bounty  to  be  paid  by 
State. 

ABRAHAM    NEVELING,    Coalport,    Clearfield    County: 

The  depredations  of  Wildcats  are  of  serious  character.  They 
destroy  Turkeys  and  Geese,  as  well  as  game.  I  have  known  a 
pair  of  Wildcats  to  kill  a  fawn.  Am  in  favor  of  a  bounty  be- 
ing paid  by  the  State. 

29»-n 


45S 

J.    p.    9CHALL.    Northampton   County: 

The  Wildcat  is  not  numerous  but  occasionally  one  Is  shot; 
one  of  my  neighbors  killed  one  a  few  years  ago  that  weighed 
forty-two  pounds.  They  generally  live  on  game  and  will  also 
carry  off  poultry. 

J.  ALBAUGH,   Forest  County: 

Wildcats  are  present  in  this  county  and  they  are  very  de- 
structive  to  poultry,   lambs  and   young  pigs. 

FICTH  NELSON,  Jr.,   Clinton  County: 

Wildcats  are  great  destroyers  of  poultry  and  game.  I  have 
seen  one  of  them  kill  a  deer.  Am  in  favor  of  a  bounty  of 
five  dollars. 

S.    H.   HASLET,   Forest   County: 

W^ildcats  kill  Pheasants,  Rabbits,  Geese,  Chickens.  Lambs, 
Fawns,  etc. 

THEODORE   DAY,  Wayne   County: 

Wildcats  are  destructive  to  poultry  of  largest  size,  small 
game  and  small  lambs.  The  bounty  of  two  dollars  each  rhould 
remain.  A  few  years  ago  three  (different  ones)  were  seen  in 
one  day  near  the  town  of  Dyberrj'. 

DR.  E.  F.  BONHAM,  Luzerne  County: 

Wildcats  are  very  destructive  to  game.  There  should  be  a 
bounty  of  two   dollars  for  each  one  killed. 

JOHN    R.    LEHMAN,    Huntingdon   County: 

Wildcats  destroy  game  and  small  birds;  am  in  favor  of  a 
bounty  being  paid  by  the  State. 

W.   C.    BABCOCK,   Tioga   County: 

Wildcats  destroy  large  quantities  of  game  such  as  Grouse 
and  Rabbits.  They  rarely  \ienture  in  farming  localities. 
Favor  bounty   l)Ping  paid   by  the  State. 

A.   P.   YOUNG,   Columbia  County: 

Wildcats  are  seldom  seen  or  head  of  in  nur  agricultural  dia- 
trirts. 


459 

JOSEPH   P.   McKELVEY.   Huntingdon   County: 

Wildcats  are  rather  rare  and  they  seldom  are  seen  in  the 
farming   districts. 

ROBT.    H.    COLEMAN,   Lebanon   County: 
Wildcats  are   about  exterminated  in   our  hills. 

DANIEL    H.    PERSHING,    Westmoreland    County: 
Wildcats  are  too  scarce  in  this  locality  to  do  much  injury. 

HON.  CHAS.  LUHR,  Elk  County: 

Wildcats  are  present  in  considerable  numbers  in  our  woods; 
they  destroy  more  fawns  and  young  deer  up  to  one  year  than 
any  other  wild  animal.    Favor  bounty  being  paid  by  the  State. 

P.   FRANK  RANGLER,   Union  County: 

Wildcats  destroy  game.  I  have  killed  several  in  this  county 
but  they  are  rather  rare. 

HON.    N.    B.    CRITCHFIELD,    Somerset   County: 

Wildcats  are  found  in  the  mountainous  regions  of  our  county, 
but  their  haunts  are  as  far  from  human  habitations  as  they 
can  get. 

ABNER    FAGUE,    Lycoming   County: 

Wildcats  are  found  only  in  the  mountains,  where,  in  some 
sections,  they  are  rather  plentiful.  Have  known  them  to  kill 
young  deer. 

A.  W.   WRIGHT.    Huntingdon   County: 

Wildcats  destroy  poultry,  game  and  small  wild  birds.  Favor 
a  bounty  to  be  paid  by  the  State. 

G.   C.   BELL,  Wayne  County    : 
Wildcats  kill  poultry,  game  and  small  birds  of  different  kinds. 

B.  ALEX.AXDF.R,    Ca/mbri;i    ("ounly: 

Wildcats  cannot  be  said  to  he  numerous  in  <>ur  county;  know 
of  one  to  have  killed  a  doer.     .\m   in    favor  of  a   bounty. 

RANDALL    BISBTNG,    Monroe   County: 
Wildcats  are    rather    plentiftll    In   some    parts   of   our   county, 


460 

and  some  years  they  do  much  damage  to  poultrj'.  Know  of 
one  instance  where  Wildcats  killed  a  lamb.  Am  in  favor  of 
a  bounty. 

CHAS.    LOTT,   Warren   County: 

Wildcats  are  not  sufficiently  numerous  in  my  locality  to  do 
much  damage  to  either  poultry   or  game. 

M.    B.   TRESCOTT,   Luzerne  County: 

Wildcats  are  of  frequent  occurrence  in  some  sections  of  our 
county. 

GEORGE  MILLER,   York  County: 

I  do  not  think  there  are  any  Wildcats  in  our  county  except 
perhaps  in  the  South  mountain. 

E.  E.  BRILHART,  Indiana  County: 
Wildcats  are  rather  numerous  in  some  parts  of  the  county. 

JEREMIAH   PHILLIPPI,    Somerset   County: 

Wildcats  or  catamounts  are  frequently  met  with  in  some 
S'ections  of  our  county.  They  destroy  a  great  many  Wild  Tur- 
keys and  Pheasants  when  hatching,  and  during  hard  winters 
they  kill  a  good  many  Deer.  I  think  the  State  should  pay  a 
premium  of  five  dollars  on  every  Wildcat. 

J.  H.  VAN  ETTEN,   Pike  County: 

In  1893  nineteen  Wildcats  were  killed  in  this  county.  Wild- 
cats kill  game  and  small  wild  birds;  never  heard  of  them 
killing  poultry.  I  have,  however,  heard  from  a  reliable  source 
that  Wildcats  kill  fawns,  but  I  never  heard  of  them  killing 
lambs  or  calves. 

BENJ.    A.    FILBERT,    Schuylkill    County: 

The  Wildcat  is  a  rather  rare  inhabitant  of  our  mountainous 
districts. 

C.  W.  PENNELL,  Wayne  County: 

Wildcats  are  quite  numerous  and  they  destroy  much  i)oul- 
try  and  game. 


461 

JOHN  PERRY,  McKean  County: 

"Wildcats  are  quite  plentiful  here.  They  live  mostly  on  Rab- 
bits and  Partridges  (Ruffed  Grouse).  I  often  hear  of  them 
catching  lambs  in  the  spring. 

DR.    P.   J.    WAGGENSELLBR,   Snyder   County: 

Wildcats  are  found  to  some  extent,  and  where  they  are  will 
do  very  serious  damage  to  poultry,  game,  and  small  wild  birds. 
Favor  of  bounty  to  be  paid  by  the  State. 

P.   D.   REXFORD,   Tioga  County: 

Wildcats  are  tolerably  common  in  some  parts  of  our  county. 
They  are  very  destructive  to  poultry  and  small  wild  birds.  Am 
not  in  favor  of  paying  bounties  on  any  animals. 

W.  G.  SARGENT,  Crawford  County: 
Wildcats  are  very  scarce  in  our  county,  hence  do  little  dam- 

W.    K.   PARK,    Bradford   County: 

Wildcats  are  rather  scarce  in  the  .'Section  of  the  county  whore 
I  reside;  have  only  known  two  to  have  been  killed  in  the  last 
three  or  four  years.  Am  in  favor  of  bounty  being  given  by 
the  State. 

M.  B.  LYMAN,  Susquehanna  County: 
Wildcats  are  veiy   rare  in   this  county: 

W.   F.  WAGNER,   Clearfield  County: 

Wildcats  are  tolerably  common.  They  destroy  game  and 
birds.     I  favor  a  bounty  to  be  paid  by  the  State. 

FRED.   L.  KRAEMER,  Lycoming  County: 

Wildcats  are  rare  in  many  sections  of  this  county.  They  de- 
stroy poultry  and  game. 

A.  K.  PIERCE,  Clinton  County: 

Wildcats  only  on  rare  occasions  attack  and  kill  the  young 
of  Deer.     I  do  not  favor  a  bounty  on  any  animal. 


4«2 

JAMES  BEIHL,  Union  County: 

Wildcats  kill  game  and  poultry.  Am  in  favor  of  a  bounty 
and  think  it  should  be  paid   by   the  State. 

J.  B.  OVIATT,  Norwich,  McKean  County: 

The  Wildcat  is  the  worst  animal  of  the  whole  lot.  1  have 
had  several  full-grown  sheep  killed  during  the  last  two  sea- 
sons by  the  Wildcat,  and  they  are  destroying  lots  of  game, 
such  as  Pheasants,  Rabbits,  etc.  Have  seen  where  Itabhits 
and  Pheasants  wpve  killed  this  winter  liy  Hawks,  Owls  rind 
Foxes. 


403 


MINK. 
Putorius  visjoii. 

DESORIPTION. 

Liaiger  and  stouter  than  the  Ermine  or  Common  Weasel;  the 
coat  is  shaggy  and  tail  bushy;  ears  short;  the  tail,  about  half 
as  long  as  the  body,  is  blackish;  feet  semi-palmate  (half 
webbed).  General  color,  dark  brownish  chestnut.  Sometimes 
rather  small-sized  individuals  of  this  genus  are  taken  which 
are  of  a  very  dark-brownish  black  color,  and  such  are  known 
to  hunters  and  farmers  as  "black  minks."  The  back  is  usually 
marked  with  a  blackish  area,  running  lengthwise  of  the  body. 
The  end  of  the  chin  is  white,  and  the  edges  of  the  upper  lip, 
sometimes,  though  rarely,  are  also  white,  and  the  throat, 
breast  and  belly  are  fi-equently  marked  with  irregular  patches 
of  white.  Average  weight  about  two  pounds;  average  height 
about  five  inches;   length  fifteen   to  twenty  inches. 

Sabilat, — North  America.  Rather  common,  in  suitable  locali- 
ties,  throughout   Pennsylvania. 

The  Mink  is  found  generally  throughout  the  State 
and  is  fairly  plentiful.  It  is  expert  at  swimming  and 
diving,  and  able  to  remain  long  under  water,  where  it 
pursues  and  catches  fish,  which  it  frequently  destroys 
in  large  numbers.  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam  says:  "Often- 
times its  destructiveness  in  this  resepot  renders  it  a 
serious  obstacle  to  the  industry  of  fish  culture." 

FOND   OF   BROOK  TROUT. 

Along  some  of  our  mountain  streams,  where  Minks 
are  plentiful,  hunters  and  woodsmen  claim  that  many 
I'.rook  Trout,  generally  the  large-sized  ones,  are  killed 
by  these  amphibious  depredators. 

CHICKENS    AND   DUCKS    ARE    FAVORITE   FOOD. 

The  Mink  does  much  damage  to  poultry,  especially 
chickens  and  ducks.  Various  kinds  of  wild  birds,  pai- 
ticularly  ground-nesting  species,   crayfish,   frogs  and 


4G4 

reptiles  are  included  in  the  dietary  of  the  Mink;  and  it 
is  also  leaiiied  from  the  testimony  of  different  writers 
and  observers  that  the  eggs  of  domestic  fowls  are  often 
taken  by  these  noctuinal  plunderers. 

KILL.   PHEASANTS,    QUAIL    AND    RABBITS. 

Sportsmen  despise  and  oondemn  Minks  because  of 
the  taste  these  brown-coated  marauders  have  acquired 
for  Pheasants,  Quail,  Rabbits  and  Squirrels.  Rails 
and  other  luarsh-inhabiting  birds  frequenting  a  locality 
where  Minks  resort,  are  often  preyed  upon  by  these 
blood-thirsty  and  keen-scented  quadrupeds. 

Injurious  rodents,  such  as  Mice,  Rats  and  Muskrats, 
so  troublesome  on  the  farm,  which  Minks  eat,  do  nol, 
we  are  assured  by  eminent  naturalists  who  have  given 
much  attention  to  the  economic  status  of  Minks,  com- 
pensate the  loss  occasioned  by  their  attack  on  barn- 
yard fowls,  fish  and  game. 

The  aquatic  nature  of  the  Mink  is  such  that  it  is 
usually  found  inhabiting  the  borders  of  streams,  mill 
ponds  or  dams.  When  Minks  take  up  a  residence  in 
or  near  the  farmer's  poultry  house,  as  is  frequently  the 
case,  they  have  been  known  1o  destroy  every  fowl  In  the 
place  in  a  short  time. 

It  is  claimed  by  sonie  that  the  Mink  feeds  upon  in- 
sects; this  may  be  true,  but  as  I  have  c^nly  examined 
the  stomach  contents  of  four  of  tliese  animals  captured 
at  a  period  of  the  year  when  insect  life  was  abundant, 
and  neither  of  tht^ni  s1i(>wed,on  dissection. any  evidence 
of  such  food,  I  am  not,  of  courtse,  prepared  to  confirm 
or  deny  the  statement. 

A    MUSCULAR   ANIMAL. 

The  average  weight  of  an  adult  Mink  is  about  two 
pounds,  and  foi*  an  animal  so  small  it  is  astonishing  to 


465 

observe  the  great  strength  it  possesses.  Dr.  Merriam 
cites  an  instance  where  a  Mink  "was  known  to  drag  a 
mallard  duck  more  than  a  mile,  to  get  it  to  its  hole, 
where  it  was  joined  by  its  mate." 

The  Mink  can  be  easily  taken  in  steel  traps  or  dead- 
falls; it  is  remarkably  tenacious  of  life  and  will  live 
for  many  hours  struggling  under  the  pressure  of  a 
pole  or  log  which  squeezes  its  body  almost  flat.  Au- 
dubon and  ]^>achman  relate  a  case  where  they  found  a 
live  Mink  under  a  dead-fall  with  a  pole  across  its  body, 
held  down  by  a  weight  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds,  beneath  which  it  had  struggled  for  nearly  a 
whole  day.  The  steel  trap  which  is  commonly  em- 
ployed for  catching  Minks  should  be  concealed  with 
ordinary  care,  and  baited  with  fish,  a  small  bird  or  the 
head  of  either  a  Pheasant,  duck  or  chicken. 

FISH  OIL,  ALLURES  THE   MINK. 

"Professional  trapipers,"  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam  writes,  "find 
the  Mink  attracted  by  the  smell  of  an  oil  made  from  fish  that 
have  been  allowed  to  decay,  in  a  loosely  corked  bottle  placed 
in  the  sun. 

"The  odor  from  this  oil  is  said  to  be  effective  at  a  considerable 
distance,  and  a  few  drops  of  it  will  often  entice  a  Mink  into 
the  trap  when  no  bait  is  visible." 

The  fo'llowing  extracts,  taken  from  letters  (m  file  in 
our  office,  and  which  have  been  kindly  sent  us  by  farm- 
ers, naturalists  and  sportsmen,  show  very  clearly  the 
charaeter  of  depredations  done  by  this  animal. 

THE  MINK  AS  A  DESTROYER  OF  POULTRY  AND  GAME. 

MR.  PIERSON,  Dy.'^art.  Pa.: 

Have  known  of  hundreds  of  geese,  ducks  and  turkeys  and 
also  chickens  to  be  killed  by  Weasels,  Minks,  Skunks  and 
Foxes.  A  Weasel  killed  thirty-four  chickens  in  one  night;  a 
Mink,  three  ducks  in  one  night;  a  Fox.  two  geese  in  one  night: 

.30-TT 


4G6 

a  Skunk,  two  chickens  in  one  night;  a  Mink,  two  chickens  in 
one  night,  at  different  times  at  my  place.  Could  cite  a  hundred 
similar  cases.  This  county  loses  over  $6,000  a  year  from  Foxes, 
Minks  and  Weasels. 

C.  P.  MOTT,  Milford,  I'a. ; 

Minks  too  few  to  cut  any  great  figure,  but  more  than  needed. 
They  love  the  farmer's  poultry  and  are  loath  to  be  satisfied  with 
less  than  the  whole  coop. 

F.  H.   FASSETT,   Meshoppen,  Pa.: 

About  one  year  ago  one  of  my  neighbors  lost  three  or  four 
grown  chickens  by  a  Mink;  was  finally  caught. 

THOS.  SEABORNE,  Newlin,  Pa.: 

Minks  are  very  destructive  to  poultry.  When  they  attack 
poultry,  they  kill  the  whole  flock  before  they  stop;  only  eating, 
perhaps,  part  of  one  or  two  at  most. 

GEO.  PERMAR,   New  Castle,  Pa.: 

Minks  are  very  plentiful  in  some  localities,  and  they  are  es- 
pecially desti'uctive  to  our  hen  roosts. 

C.  K.  SOBER,  Lewisburg,  Union  County: 

Minks  are  great  desti-oyers  of  poultry.  Some  years  ago  on 
the  farm  a  family  of  Minks  took  up  their  abode  under  a  pig 
pen,  and  before  we  were  aware  of  their  presence  they  had 
killed  not  less  than  one-hundred  and  fifty  chickens,  large  and 
small.  Finally,  when  the  marauders  were  located,  we  were 
obliged  to  tear  down  the  pen  and  killed  two  old  and  five  young 
ones,  the  latter  about  one-third  grown. 

JOHN   L.   KLINE,   Liverpool,   Perry   County: 

Minks  are  very  destructive  to  game  and  poultry.  I  have 
known  the  Mink  to  kill  as  high  as  thirty  to  forty  ducks  in  onf 
night.  I  have  known  them  to  enter  a  chicken  coop  and  kill 
as  high  as  twenty  chickens. 

J.   M.  DUMiM,   Mackeyville,  Clinton  County: 

Two  years  ago  my  next  neighbor  had  fifty  young  chickens 
killed  in  one  night;  I  went  to  his  home  with  my  dog,  but  we  could 
not  catph  the  supposed  Mink.    The  following  morning  my  other 


467 

neigrhbor  across  the  way  had  about  sixty  young  chickens  de- 
stroyed. The  dog  barked  at  a  stone  pile  in  the  yard,  and,  with 
some  help,  we  killed  six  three-fourths  grown  Minks,  the  old  one 
escaping. 

H.    K.    ME/NSCH,    Muncy    Station,    i^ycuniing   County: 
Minks  aie  plentiful  and  do  much  damage  to  poultry. 

R.   S.   STOVIOH,   Livonia,  Centre  County: 
Minks  are   bad   on  chickens  in  summci-. 

HON.   A.   L.   MARTIN,  Enon  Valley,  Lawrence  County: 

A  Mink  broke  in  my  chicken  house  and  one  night  cut  the 
throats  of  thirty-seven  chickens  eight  weeks  old;  different 
nights  did  other  injuries  until  captured. 

HON.  N.  F.  UNDERWOOD,  Lake  Como,  Wayne  County: 

Minks  still  common  here;  sometimes  destructive  to  poultry; 
will  kill  more  than  they  can  eat  or  carry  away.  Know  of  one 
case  as  follows:  A  brother-in-law  of  mine  found  that  something 
was  killing  off  his  chickens;  after  losing  a  number  he  took  those 
that  were  left  alive  and  put  them  on  the  barn  floor,  turning  a 
large  dry  goods  box  over  them;  the  next  morning  he  found 
them  all  killed  and  a  Mink  in  the  box.  The  Mink  had  squeezed 
himself  through  a  small  aperture  between  one  edge  of  the 
box  and  the  floor,  and  gorged  himself  on  chicken  until  he  was 
too  large  to  squeeze  out.  Fishermen  here  say  that  Minks  are 
very  destructive  to  the  trout  in  our  streams. 

JOHN   F.   THOMAS,    Carrolltown,   Cambria   County: 

The  Mink  does  much  damage  in  poultry  yards,  particularly 
those  situated  near  creeks  or  near  the  head  of  a  minor  tribu- 
tary. In  this  locality  they  are  often  taken  with  the  common 
steel  trap  when  on  their  predatory  expeditions.  The  Mink 
travels  generally  in  the  night,  but  they  have  been  caught  in 
daylight. 

A.   W.   RHOADS,   Wilkes-Barre,   Luzerne  County: 

I  had  a  large  flock  of  ducks  which  were  destroyed  by  a  Mink 
and  Weasel  which  I  saw  along  the  brook  frequented  by  the 
ducks. 

The  Weasel,  Mink  and  Red  Fox  destroy  fowls. 

It  has  been,   for  years,  a  custom  among  a  few  enthusiastic 


468 

sportsmen,  like  myself,  to  poison  with  strychnine  Skunks, 
Foxes  and  Wildcats,  by  the  use  of  fresh  meat  or  sparrows  im- 
paled on  a  stick  and  placed  on  old  roads  and  paths  in  the 
snow.  The  Weasel  and  Mink  are  trapped  with  the  ordinary 
spring-  trap. 

C.   W.   PENNELL,  Hemlock   Hollow,   Wayne  County: 

A  Mink  visited  my  mother's  hen  roost  and  killed  nine  grown 
chickens  the  first  night,  and  the  second  night  finished  the 
flock;  the  third  night  they  caught  him  in  a  steel  trap.  Think 
the  State  should  pay  a  bounty  on  Minks. 

W.   B.   K.  JOHNSON,  Allentown,   Lehigh   County: 
I  saw  a  Mink  take  a  chicken  in  broad  daylight. 

J.  B.  OVIATT,  Norwich,  McKean  County: 

Minks  are  very  destructive  to  birds,  fowls  and  game,  such 
as  Partridges,  Rabbits,  etc. 

N.  G.   BUNNELL.  Vcsburg,  Wyoming  County: 

Minks  are  scarce,  but  sometimes  a  few  follow  streams  from 
the  river,  and  are  bad  on  poultry. 

GEORGE  M.  DAY,  Dyberry,  Wayne  County: 

We  lost  sixty  out  of  eighty-five  chickens  the  past  summer 
by  Minks. 

J.   S.   GAY,  Terry  town,  Bradford  County: 

I  have  knowfi  a  Mink  to  catch  twenty-seven  hens  in  two 
nights. 

W.   M.   BENNINGER,   Walnutport,   Northampton  County: 

Minks  and  Weasels  have  done  great  damage  to  our  poultry; 
they  have  killed  hundreds  of  young  chickens  for  me  and  my 
neighbors,   and  we   find   the»m  very  difficult  to  eradicate. 

EMTL  ULRICH,   Stroudsburg,  Monroe  County: 

My  wife  shot  a  mink  when  he  was  in  the  act  of  carrying 
away  a  young  brahma  chicken  almost  as  big  as  himself,  and  I 
have  missed  many  eggs  taken  by  Minks;  they  do  not  destroy 
or  suck  the  eggs  in  the  nest,  but  take  them  away;  but  when 
it  came  to  the  nest  egg  made  of  porcelain,  they  found  out   the 


469 

mistake  and  shortly  dropped  it.  Young  ducks  were  always 
lost  when  big  enough  to  go  to  water;  one  after  another  would 
disappear,  and  I  lay  this  to  the  Mink. 

L.   M.    CASTETTER,   Green   Burr,   Clinton  County: 

People  living  at  a  distance  from  streams  do  not  know  what 
a  pest  Minks  are,  but  those  who  live  close  to  the  streams 
know  all  about  them,  for  they  have  to  shut  their  poultry  houses 
very  close;  if  they  neglect  it  once,  they  can  be  sure  they  will 
lose  the  whole  stock,  as  the  Mink  will  not  stop  at  one  or  half 
a  dozen,  but  as  long  as  they  can  find  a  living  chicken  they  will 
kill.  Not  over  a  week  ago  a  farmer  lost  forty-eight  chickens 
in  one  night.  They  really  destroy  more  poultry  on  an  average 
than  the  Fox.  There  should  be  a  good  bounty  on  them,  not 
less  than  $1.00  for  each  Mink. 

GEORGE    G.     HUTCHINSON,     Warriors'     Mark,     Huntingdon 
County : 

Minks  are  numerous  along  the  streams  in  this  region.  Have 
known  one  Mink  to  kill  thirty  chickens  in  a  night. 

JOHN   KELLOW,    Carley   Brook,   Wayne   County: 

Minks  are  pai'tial  to  poultry,  and  act  similarly  to  the  Wea- 
sel; that  is,  bite  them  in  the  neck  and  suck  the  blood  an9  leave 
the  carcass;  have  known  fifteen  hens  in  one  coop  killed  in  one 
night  by  Mink. 

F.   M.   McKEEHAN,   Ferguson,   Perry  County: 

Tolerably  common  along  our  streams.  Are  destructive  to 
poultry  and  fish,  especially  if  they  breed  near  your  residence. 
I  live  on  the  Little  Buffalo  creek,  and  have  lost  many  dollars 
worth  of  poultry  since  here  (1876.) 

TOWNSEND  PRICE,  Canadensis,  Monroe  County: 

Minks  are  destructive  to  poultry,  game  and  fish,  and  they 
catch  a  great  many  chickens  and  ducks. 

ENOS  BLOOM,   New   Millport,   Clearfield  County: 

I  think  the  Mink  to  be  the  most  destructive  to  poultry  of 
any  and  all  enemies.  I  could,  if  required,  enumerate  by  the 
hundreds  chickens  that  were  killed  by  the  Minks  in  our  valley. 


470 

C.  R.  NOTES,  Westport,   Pa.: 

The  Minks  destroy  poultry,  both  chickens  and  turkeys,  but 
they  also  destroy  rats  and  mice  in  large  quantities;  on  the 
whole,   perhaps,  one  will  balance  the  other. 

J.  K.   BIRD,  Millville,  Sullivan  County: 

The  Mink  is  scarce;  he  destroys  poultry  and  is  very  destruc- 
tive. 

D.  KISTLER,   Kistler,   Pa.: 

The  Minks  are  plenty  and  destroy  a  great  deal  of  poultry. 

T.  H.  HARTER,  Bellefonte,  Centre  County: 

The  Mink  is  very  destructive  to  Pheasant  or  common 
Grouse. 

ZIBA  SCOTT,  Spring  Brook,  Lackawanna  County: 

The  Mink  is  a  very  mischievous  little  scamp;  he  is  full  of 
tricks;  he  likes  to  kill  chickens  for  their  blood;  if  he  gets  in  a 
chicken  coop  he  seldom  leaves  one  alive.  One  got  in  my 
mother's  coop  one  night,  killing  thirty-five  chickens,  but  we 
put  a  dog  on  his  trail  in  the  morning,  run  him  into  a  hole  and 
killed    him.     He    also    catches    Rabbits    and    Pheasants. 

JOHN    NELSON,    Talley    Cavey,   Allegheny    County: 

The  Mink  is  notorious:  he  killed  many  of  our  ducks  and 
chickens;  if  he  can  get  in  the  coop  at  night  he  leaves  none  ^to 
tell  the  tale;  will  carry  off  chickens  nearly  half  grown.  Minks 
are  very  fond  of  eggs. 

JOSIAH  PILE,   New  Lexington,    Somerset   County: 

Sometime  ago  there  were  eighteen  full  grown  chickens  killed 
in  my  chicken  house  in  one  night,  all  bit  about  the  head  and 
neck;  I  found  the  place  where  the  thief  entered,  set  a  trap  and 
caught  a  Mink.  Another  time  there  were  ten  killed,  and  still 
another  time  twelve  killed,  all  in  the  samp  way.  Caught  a 
Mink  every  time. 


471 


ADDITIONAL    NOTES    ON    FOOD    OF    MINKS. 


Name    and    Address    of    Ob- 
server. 

Poultry- 

Remarks. 

L.  C.  Oberlln,   Schmlckubure, 

D<>ptroy 

chickens 

Have    known    a    mink    to 

Pa. 

and  turkeys. 

kill     30     or     40     in     one 

night. 

J.     L.     Erannen,     Exchange. 

Destroy 

chickens 

Pa. 
Noah     H.     Parker.     Gardeau, 

Destroy 

chickens. 

They     also     destroy     fish 

Pa. 

and    mice. 

W.    J.    Stull,    Coalport,    Pa.,.. 

Destroy 

chickens. 

20  were  killed  In  one 
night    by    a    mink. 

J.  W.  Van  Kirk.   Milton,   Pa., 

Destroy 

ducks,     .. 

On  one  occasion  I  lost 
eight  ducks:  each  was 
bitten  In  the  neck. 

Jasper  T   Jennings.    New   MU- 

Destroy 

poultry,    . 

They        usually        disturb 

frrd,    Pa. 

poultry  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  streams 
they   frequent. 

S.    S.    Thomas,    Lynn,    Pa., 

Destroy 

chickens. 

A  mink  will  frequently 
kill  all  the  chickens  in 
a  roost. 

G.  C.  Bell,   Maplewond,   Pa.,.. 

Destroy 

chickens. 

They    also    destroy    many 

flsh. 
A    mink     destroyed     thre.- 

Melanthan      Mench,       Mifflln- 

Destroy 

chickens 

burg.    Pa. 

and  ducks. 

old   ducks   and   16  mar- 

ketable chicken*. 

C.     W.     Dickinson,     Norwich. 

D<-stroy 

chickens 

Pa 

and  ducks. 

Thos      B.     Darlington,     West 

Destroy 

poultry,   , 

Minks     and     weasels      are 

Chester,   Pa. 

both  poultry  loving 
pests. 

THE    MINK    AS    A    FISHERMAN. 
MR.  PIERSON,  Dysart,  Pa.: 

Minks  destroy  an  immense  amount  of  trout  here.  They 
catch  them  after  they  run  them  under  stones  or  logs  when 
they  have  them  cornered.  I,  on  one  occasion,  trailed  a  Mink 
that  caught  from  fifteen  to  twenty  trout  in  one  night  and  eat 
part  of  each. 

A.    W.    RHOADS,   Wilkes-Barre,   Pa.: 

I  have  personal  knowledge  of  the  catching  of  fish  by  Minks 
and    Raccoons:    they    6\\e   for   them   in   shallow    waters. 

MR.    ARTHUR  MARTIN.    Sandy   Lake.   Pa.: 
Minks  have  killed    many   fish   in   our  ponds. 

HON.  GERARD  C.   BROWN,  Torkana.  Pa.: 

Minks  are  still  around  brooks  and  are  good  fishers.  A  Mink 
won't  take  long  to  cl^an  out  a  small   trout   pond 


472 

JOHN  M.  BUCKALBW,  Fishing  Creek,  Columbia  County,  Pa.: 
Minks   dostroy   fish;    sink   down    in    the   water   to   catch   and 
come  to  the  surface  to  consume.      Minks     are  numerous     and 
a  damage  to  the  communities  where  found. 

SAMUEL  M.   DOWNS,   Mauch   Chunk,   Pa.: 

I  have  no  personal  knowledge,  but  reports  of  Mink  depre- 
dations to  fish  are  common;  having  a  semi-palmated  foot  and 
being  expert  swimmers  and  divers  they  experience  little  diffi- 
culty  in  capturing  such  prey. 

FRED.   W.  WELD,   Sugar  Grove,   Warren  County,  Pa.: 

I  have  occasionally  seen  dead  fish  along  Stillwater  creek 
killed  and  partially  eaten  by  Minks,  but  have  never  observed 
their  method  of  capture. 

E.  W.    CAMPBELL,   West  Pittston,   Luzerne  County,   Pa.: 

Trout  have  been  killed  by  Minks,  as  they  have  been  caught 
at  it. 

H.    C.    KIRKPATRICK,    Meadville,    Crawford    County,    Pa.: 

I  have  only  seen  the  Mink  fishing.  Once  when  duck  shoot- 
ing in  Conneaut  Marsh  I  noticed  a  great  commotion  in  the 
water  just  beneath  an  oak  tree  which  overhung  the  water; 
thinking  it  might  be  a  Wood  Duck  I  made  a  large  circle  and 
came  out  under  the  tree;  crawling  up  to  where  I  could  look 
over  the  bank  I  saw  a  large  Mink  about  ten  feet  from  me;  it 
seemed  to  be  hunting  in  the  weeds  for  something;  in  a  moment 
it  disappeared  under  the  water,  in  about  fifteen  or  twenty  sec- 
onds it  reappeared  with  something  in  its  mouth  and  swimming 
to  shore  jumped  out  on  the  bank  where  it  shook  it  as  a  dog 
shakes  a  rat;  after  it  was  apparently  dead  the  Mink  dropped 
it  and  sniffed  around  it  a  few  times  and  disappeared  in  the 
underbrush.  Then  I  went  to  where  the  object  was  lying  and 
found  it  to  be  a  large  species  of  Salamander  about  one  foot 
long.  Although  they  are  not  a  fish,  it  illustrates,  to  a  certain 
extent,  the  Mink's  manner  of  fishing  for  that  kind  of  game. 

OTTO  BEHR,   Lopez,   Sullivan   County,  Pa.: 

Minks  are  very"  good  fishers.  Saw  one  come  out  of  the  open 
riflle  in  winter  with  a  large  trout  in  its  mouth,  which  it  had 
caught  across  its  back;  on  another  occasion  I  caught  one 
Jragging  a  good-sized  eel  along  in  the  snow.    They  sometimes 


473 

get    into   chicken   coops   and    kill   a   dozen    or   more    fowls   in   a 
single  night. 

W.   J.   STUL/L,   Coalport,   Clearfield   County.   Pa.: 

Mr.  Thomas  Millen  informs  me  that  a  Mink  has  taken  quite 
a  number  of  fi?h  from  his  fish  pond  by  diving  or  plunging  after 
thfm. 

PAUL   SWINGLE,    South    Canaan.   Wayne   County,    Pa.: 

Minks  are  very  destructive  to  fish;  they  swim  through  the 
water  and  catch  them. 

S.    S.   THOMAS,    Lynn,   Susquehanna  County,   Pa.: 

A  few  years  ago  I  had  a  large  number  of  cat-fish  and  one 
eel  in  a  box  in  my  spring  drain.  Their  continued  disappear- 
ance (the  eel  among  the  rest)  surprised  me,  but  I  one  day  dis- 
covered as  many  as  twenty  of  the  bull-heads  (cat-fish)  piled 
up  under  a  log  near  by.  A  steel  trap  stopped  the  theft  and 
added  half  a  dollar  to  the  youngsters'  pocket  money  in  the 
way  of  Mink  bounty. 

ZTBA    SCOTT,    Spring    Brook,    Lackawanna    County,    Pa.: 

The  Mink  likes  fish;  brook  trout  suits  him  best  if  hi^  can  get 
them.  He  is  an  expert  swimmer;  goes  under  the  water  and 
catches  them  easily.  I  have  shot  two  within  the  past  year 
with  trout  in  their  mouths.  The  last  one  had  a  trout  eight 
inches   long. 

C.   P.  MOTT,   Milford,   Pike  County,   Pa.: 
Minks   undoubtedly  kill   many  fish. 

GEARY   C.    BELL,    Maplewood,    Wayne   County,    Pa.: 

A  Mink  got  into  a  carp  pond  last  winter  and  destroyed  a 
great  many  carp,   some  of  which  were  nearly  two   feet  long. 

J.  B.  OVIATT,   Norwich,   McKean  County.   Pa.: 

Have  often  seen  where  Minks  have  caught  fish  in  winter 
time  and  have  brought  them  on  shore  and  eat  or  hid  them. 
Minks  have  no  trouble  in  catching  fish  when  the  w'ater  is  low. 

J.   C.   HEYLER,   Nauvoo,  Tioga  County,  Pa.: 

Minks  destroy  poultry  and  birds,  but  the  greatest  damage 
done  by  them  is  to  brook  trout,  which  is  their  principal  living; 
they  also  catch  other  fish,  but  trout  is  their  favorite  fish  diet. 


474 

H.    C.    DOKWUKTH,    Oil    City,    Venango    Cuunty.    Pa.; 

Have  seen  a  Mink  catch  a  trout  in  one  of  our  neighboring 
streams,  in  the  winter,  by  diving  under  the  overhanging  banks 
(where  the  trout  usually  stay  in  winter)  and  catch  the  trout 
as  they  attempted  to  swim  past  him.  Minks,  two  years  ago, 
killed  all  the  carp,  forty  in  number,  in  a  pond  on  Sage  run. 
As  these  fish  work  down  in  the  mud  in  winter,  the  Minks  had 
no  difficulty  in  catching  them. 

GEORGE   FRANCE,   Ariel,    Wayne   County,    Pa.: 

The  Mink  destroys  fis^h,  particularly  brook  trout,  and  he  i.s 
also   very   destructive   to  domestic   fowls,   especially   chickens. 

BMIL  ULRICH,   Stroudsburg,   Monroe   County,   Pa.: 

Minks  destroy  fish,  particularly  brook  trout,  and  they  usually 
catch  the  largest  ones  they  find  in  the  deep  holes. 

JOHN  KEKLOW,  Carley  Brook,  Wayne  County,  Pa.: 

Minks  are  at  home  under  the  water,  where  they  readily  cap- 
ture  fish.     They  annually   destroy   great   numbers  of   trout. 

W.  R.   PARK,  Athens,   Bradford  County,  Pa.: 

Minks  are  expert  fishermen.  They  kill  large  numbers  of 
trout.    I  once  shot  a  Mink  with  a  large  trout  in  its  mouth. 

SILAS   FRAMTON,    Coalport,    Clearfield    County: 

During  the  trout  season  of  1896,  Mr.  H.  A.  Wagner,  of  this 
place,  and  myself,  were  fishing  on  Bell  Run — a  tributary  of  the 
Juniata — when  I  saw  a  Mink  dart  into  the  water  and  come 
up  with  a  good-sized  trout;  we  watched  him  make  four  trips 
and  each  time  he  came  up  with  a  trout.  I  shot  at  it  then  with 
an  ordinary  revolver,  but,  owing  to  the  distance,  missed  it.  On 
another  trip  in  1896  I  saw  an  ordinary  Garter  Snake  come  up 
out  of  the  water  with  a  trout  in  its  mouth.  I  tried  to  kill  it 
but  it  got  under  some  drift  and  I  could  not  catch  it. 

J.    F.    REYNOLDS,    Carbondale,    Lackawanna   County: 

Have  seen  positive  evidence  of  the  fact  that  Brook  Trout 
have  been  destroyed  by  Minks. 

E.   J.    STURDEVANT,    Fnrksville,    Sullivan    County: 
Minks  kill   many   trout.     They  also  destroy  poultry  and  game. 


475 

A.    VV.    CuLEaRoVE.    riinelhpuit,    McKean    County: 
ctiiei    and   Mink  destroy   flsh. 

J.    S.    TILLOSTON,    Tilloston,    Crawford    County: 

1  know  of  an  instance  where  a  Mink  in  one  evening  killed 
from  ten  to  fifteen  carp. 

H.    H.    RANATT,    Pipersville,   Bucks   County: 

Have  seen  Mink  fishing. 
K.  F.  FRITZ.   Divide,  Columbia  County: 

Fish  in  Little  Fishing  Creek  suffer  from  Foxes,  Minks  and 
Hawks. 

G.   S.   TURNER,   West  Hickory,   Forest   County: 

I  have  seen  Minks  catching  fish  in  small  streams;  have  seen 
Cranes,  Great  Blue,  Night  and  Green  Herons  catching  fish. 
It  is  common  report  that  one  Crane  on  a  trout  stream  will 
catch  almost  all  the  trout  in  it  in  one  season. 

PAUL,  A.    OLIVER,    Oliver's  Mills,   Luzerne   County: 

Have  seen  Mink  catching  Brook  Trout. 

F.   C.  FIELD,   Balsam,   Tioga  County: 

Have  seen  fish  destroyed  by  Minks;  they  also  destroy  much 
poultry. 

D.  F.  LEWIS,  Gillett,  Bradford  County: 
I  have  caught  the  Mink  catching  large  fish. 

GEORGE  C.  CONNELL,  Columbia  X  Roads,  Bradford  County: 
Have   seen    fish    destroyed   by   Minks   and    Muskrats. 

Trom  these  quotations  it  will  be  seen  that  Minks  un- 
tiuestiouablv  are  great  destroyei-s  of  fish,  while  it  is 
well  known  that  they  will  catch  and  feed  upon  almosr 
any  species  of  the  finny  tribe  which  they  can  secure. 
These  amphibious  animals  have,  there  is  little  doubt,  a 
preference  for  the  toothsome  and  beautiful  brook  trout. 
The  number  of  trout  which  Minks  annually  kill  about 
Dur  mountain  streams  is  no  doubt  considerable. 


476 


RA(X:!OON. 

Procyon  lotor. 

DESCRIPTION. 

An  animal  of  an  inquisitive  turn  of  mind,  as  its  long  nose 
and  moveable  naked  snout  would  indicate.  Its  nails  are  not 
fuvei-ed  by  hair  and  they  are  also  long,  sharp  and  hooked, 
like  claws,  and  "are  used  in  an  almost  human  manner."  Its 
head  is  round  rather  than  long,  with  low  erect  ears,  that  are 
covered  with  hair  on  both  sides  and  rounded  above;  its  tail 
is  about  one-third  its  length  and  is  very  bushy,  has  some 
four  or  five  rings  of  black  alternating  with  rusty  white  inter- 
spaces, all  being  of  equal  width.  Its  feet  on  the  soles  are 
naked,  otherwise  it  is  clothed  with  two  kinds  of  hair,  the  inner 
one  like  wool,  soft  and  finer  than  the  outer,  which  is  long  and 
coarse.     Length  thirty  to  thirty-six  inches. 

Habitat. — Generally  distributed  in  United  States  east  of  the 
Rocky   Mountains. 

A  POULTRY  THIEF. 

He  is  a  thief  and  annoyance  to  poulterer  and  farmer; 
lie  will  feast  to  satiety  on  a  nest  of  eggs;  nor  are  his 
depredations  in  the  poultry  yard  confined  to  eggs  alone, 
for  letters  are  constantly  received  at  this  Department 
from  A'arious  counties,  telling  of  losses  amcng  the 
chickens  themselves.  The  most  serious  one  comes  to  us 
from  Mi-.  A.  Judson  Smith,  New  .Millport,  Clearfield 
county,  who  says  that  in  one  month  he  Ic-st  bet^^een 
twelve  and  fifteen  dollars  worth  of  hens  from  the  vis- 
its of  a  Kaccoon.  W.  G.  Bunnell,  Vosburg,  \\yoming 
county,  writes  that  a  Uaccoon,  which  he  was  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  catch  in  a  trap,  killed  sonn?  twenty-five  chick- 
ens in  two  nights.  Mr.  ]\I.  E.  Kemerer,  Weissport,  Car- 
bon county,  says:  "Kaccoon s  kill  chickens  or  any  kind 
of  ]ioultry:''  and  Xoah  If.  Parker,  O'f  McKean  county, 
asserts  that  this  animal  "will  kill  fowls  whenever  he 
gets  a  good  chance,  and  do  considerable  damage." 


> 
o 
o 
o 
o 
z 


477 

FEASTS   ON   CORN. 

Audubon  says: 

"No  negro  on  a  plantation  knows  with  more  accuracy  when 
the  corn  (maize)  is  juicy  and  ready  for  the  connoisseur  in 
roasting  ears;  and  he  does  not  need  the  aid  of  a  fire  to  im- 
prove, but  attaclts  it  more  voraciously  than  the  Squirrel  or 
Blackbird  and  is  the  last  to  quit  the  cornfield." 

Further  on  this  same  writer  says: 

"When  the  Indian  corn  is  ripening  the  Raccoon  invades  the 
fields  to  feast  on  the  rich  milky  grain,  as  we  have  just  stated, 
and  as  the  stalks  are  too  weak  to  bear  the  weight  of  these 
marauders  they  generally  break  them  down  with  the  fore- 
paws,  tear  off  the  husks  from  the  ears,  and  then  munch  them 
at  their  leisure." 

On  this  line  advices  reach  us  from  numerous  oorre- 
spoindents  throughout  the  State,  showing  tlie  love  these 
animals  have  acquired  for  green  corn,  and  the  damage 
done. 

AS   A   FISHERMAN. 

Its  long  hooked  claws  serve  it  in  fishing,  and  frogs, 
shell  fish  and  soft-shelled  turtle  eggs  are  dainty  bits 
for  him.  A  number  of  complaints  have  reached  this 
office  from  fishermen  in  different  .^eclions  of  our  moun- 
tainous regions,  where  Brook  Tl-out  and  Raccoons  both 
are  plentiful,  that  tliese  Ijittei-  animals  destroy  many 
of  the  speckled  beauties.  Our  inf(>rmants  claim  that 
the  greatest  amount  of  damage  is  do'ne  to  Brook  Trout 
when  the  's^  aters  of  the  streams  are  low.  The  Raccoon 
also  deslToys  other  si)ecies  of  fish  which  he  is  able  to 
catch  in  streams  and  along  the  margins  of  ponds  and 
pools. 

FEEDS   ON   BIRDS'    E.GGS. 

According  to  different  writers  and  observers  the  Rac- 


478 

coon  frequently  feeds  on  the  eggs  of  different  species  of 
birds.     He  is  an  expert  climber  and  by  reason  of  this 
fact,  it  is  asserted,  he  frequently  despoils  the  homes  of 
the  feathered  tribes  which  are  built  in  trees. 
Audubon  says: 

"The  Raccoon  ascends  trees  with  facility  and  frequently  in- 
vades the  nest  of  the  Woodpecker,  although  it  may  be  secure 
against  ordinary  thieves,  by  means  of  fore-feet,  getting  hold 
of  the  eggs  or  young  birds." 

Ground-nesting  species,  such  as  Ruffed  Grouse  and 
the  Wild  Turkey,  hunters  claim,  are  occasionally  de- 
stroyed by  the  inquisitive  Raccoon. 

AN    ENJOYABLE    RECREATION. 

A  'coon  hunt  means  both,  pleasure  and  profit  for  its 
participants.  The  excitement  attendant  on  the  chase 
itself — the  cool  night  air — the;  excited  yelping  of  the 
dogs — the  false  starts  and  then  the  true  find;  the  lan- 
terns throwing  their  brightest  light  at  the  base  of  the 
trees  around  which  the  dogs  are  wildly  leaping,  cast- 
ing deep  shadows  up  and  beyond;  but  they  are  neither 
too  deep  nor  too  black  to  prevent  our  discovering,  high 
up  and  on  the  extremity  of  a  limb,  that  for  which  we 
left  the  warm  house  and  cozy  fireside.  Now  the  excite- 
ment is  at  its  height;  the  dogs  are  bounding  madly 
against  the  tree  trunk,  their  duty  fulfilled  in  having 
successfully  piloted  us  thus  far,  and  urging  us  to  our 
part  of  the  program  with  sharp,  shrill  bark.  If  the 
tree  is  a  slight  one  a  few  shakes  will  bring  our  qu,irry 
heavily  to  the  ground,  but  if  it  is  one  of  the  "Monarchs" 
then  the  steady  stroke  of  the  axe  is  heard;  and  we 
watch  with  breathless  anxiety  as  the  tree  with  its  ani- 
mal food  begins  to  bend  slowly  earthward,  then  more 
rajtidly,  until  it  comes  crasihinti'  down  and  the  dogs  end 
— as  they  had  begun — the  doings  of  that  'coon  hunt. 


479 

HUNTED  FOR  BOTH  FLESH  AND  FUR. 

His  pelt  means  mouev  to  the  successful  'coon  hunter, 
for  his  fur  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  robes,  coats, 
capes,  etc.  In  the  line  O'f  this  animal  being  a  good  arti- 
cle for  food,  C.  L.  Herrick,  in  Bulletin  No.  7,  the  Mam- 
mals of  Minn.,  says: 

"The  omnivorous  and  especially  the  insectivorous  habits  of 
this  animal  render  it  especially  subject  to  internal  parasites, 
in  spite  of  the  most  remarkable  precautions,  which  either  ex- 
perience or  natural  taste  has  developed  in  its  eating  habits. 
An  instance  was  seen  where  the  body  of  a  Raccoon  which  had 
been  exposed  in  the  market  with  other  meats,  was  literally  filled 
with  worms  of  the  genus  Filaria,  several  inches  long,  and 
these  filled  with  living  embryos  in  all  stages  of  developm3nt." 

Audubon  says  relating  to  this: 

"In  the  dreary  months  of  winter  should  you  be  encamped 
in  any  of  the  great  western  forests,  obliged  by  the  pitiless 
storm  to  remain  for  some  days,  as  we  have  been,  you  will  not 
be  unthankful  if  you  have  a  fat  Raccoon  suspended  on  a  tree 
above  your  camp,  for  when  kept  a  while  the  flesh  of  this 
species  is  both  tender  and  well  flavored." 


WHAT    FARMERS    AND    SPORTSMEN    SAY    ABOUT    RAC- 
COONS. 

.J.   B.   OVIATT,   Norwich,  McKean  County: 

Raccoons  catch  fish  in  the  open  spring  runs  in  the  winter 
time;  Brook  Trout  are  frequently  numerous  in  warm  spring 
brooks  during  the  winter  timi^.  They  do  but  littlt>  damage  to 
farmers. 

JEREMIAH  PHILIPS,   Garrett,   Somerset   County: 

The  way  Raccoon,  Mink  and  Otter  catch  fish  is  in  small 
streams  and  ponds  when  the  water  gets  low,  and  the  fish  have 
no  chance  to  hide  from  them. 

W.  C.  BABCOCK,  Blossburg,  Tioga  County: 

Raccoons  will  visit  corn  fields  when  they  are  located  near 
the  woods.  The  sport  they  furnish  the  farmer  and  neigh- 
liors  make   ii"  f<»r  the  small   loss  in  corn, 


480 

JAS.   S.   NBASI'],   Washington,  Washington  County: 

Raccoons.  I  have  not  seen  any  damage  done  by  them.  They 
are  said  to  eat  corn  sometimes,  when  growing  along  the  woods. 
They  are  not  destructive. 

F.  M.  McKEEHAN,   Ferguson,   Perry  County: 

Raccoons,  tolerably  rare;  do  not  do  much  damage;  sometimes 
destroy  a  little  corn  when  near  timber  land. 

E.  D.  DAVIS  and  JOHN"  M.  BUCKALEW,  Fishing  Creek,  Col- 
umbia County: 

Raccoon,  not  plentiful.  They  destroy  corn  in  the  field  in 
the  fall. 

JOHN  PERRY,  Kasson,  McKean  County: 

Raccoons  are  very  common  here;  they  destroy  oats  and  corn 
and  are  very  fond  of  chickens  if  they  can  get  them. 

C.  W.   DICKINSON,   Norwich,   McKean  County: 

The  Raccoon  will  eat  sweet  apples,  cherries  and  corn,  but 
the  damage  by  the  Raccoon  is  not  heavy.  I  have  known  of 
'coon  killing  chickens  two  different  times  in  my  life,  one  at 
each  time. 

H.   C.   DORWORTH,    Oil   City,   Venango  County: 

Raccoons  have  destroyed  considerable  corn  for  the  farmers 
in  this  vicinity.  In  the  northwestern  part  of  this  county  the 
Cottentails  have  not  only  destroyed  whole  gardens  but  have 
attacked  the  growing  grain.  Young  orchards  (especially  ap- 
ples) are  frequently  seriously  injured  by  these  animals.  Squir- 
rels show  a  great  fondness  for  corn,  carrying  away  as  much 
as  possible  at  a  time  and  repeating  this  operation  with  sur- 
prising frequency. 

J.   C.   HEYLER,   Nauvoo,   Tioga  County: 

Raccoons  are  of  no  good;  as  we  all  know  they  are  good  fish- 
ers and  very  seldom  fish  for  any  other  kind  of  fish  than  trout. 
They  also  destroy  crops  such  as  corn  and  buckwheat.  They 
are  common;  no  bounty   should  be  paid  on  them. 

A.  P.  BREWER,   Norwich,  McKean  County: 

Raccoons  are  plenty,  but  do  no  particular  harm;  they  pay 
for  catching:. 


481 

N.   G.   BUNNELL,   Vosburg,   Wyoming  County: 

A  few  years  ago  had  some  chickens  killed  and  supposed  it 
was  a  Skunk;  set  trap  by  coop;  next  morning  trap  was  gone; 
began  looking  for  it  and  soon  saw  the  dog  was  interested  in 
it;  we  followed  some  twenty  i-ods  and  found  Mr.  Coon  had 
caught  the  trap  in  the  fence.  Think  he  must  have  killed 
twenty-five  chickens  in  two  nights.  Think  them  worse  than 
Foxes. 

ABRAHAM    NEVELING,    Coalport,    Clearfield    County: 

Have  knowledge  of  their  destroying  fish,  but  cannot  give 
their  methods  of  capturing,  with"  the  exception  of  the  Rac- 
coon which  captures  the  fish  with  its  paws,  same  as  a  person 
would  use  his  hands. 

\V.  B.   K.  JOHNSON,  Allentown,   Lehigh  County: 

Squirrels  and  Raccoons  did  so  much  damage  to  my  father's 
corn  that  we  had  to  watch  the  Squirrels  by  day  and  the  Rac- 
coons by  night. 

ItEO.   FRANC,  Ariel,  Wayne  County: 
'Coons  are  plenty  and  destructive  to  corn  and  fowls. 

DR.  L.  W.  SCHNATTERLY,  Freeport,  Armstrong  County: 

I  have  witnessed  both  Raccoon  and  Muskrats  catching  fish, 
but  they  can  only  do  so  in  very  shallow  water  where  the  fish 
are  penned  up.  The  Raccoon  catches  them  in  his  claws  while 
the  Muskrat  dives  and  catches   them  in  his   tooth. 

F.  WAGGENSELLER,  M.   D.,   Selinsgrove,   Snyder  County: 

The  only  mammals  that  destroy  corn  to  any  extent  are  Musk- 
rats,  Raccoons,  Rabbits  and  Squirrels.  Squirrels  destroy  eggs 
and  young  birds. 

S.  S.   THOMAS,   Lynn,    Susquehanna   County: 

Raccoons  in  former  years  have  done  as  much  damage  in 
corn  fields  as  pigs  would. 

THOMAS  B.  DARLINGTON,  West  Chester,  Chester  County: 

The  Raccoon  is  not  very  plentiful  in  this  section  of  the 
county;   he  likes  chickens  and   sometimes  makes  a  raid,  but  it 

81    IT 


482 

is  nul  very  cuniiiiuii.     All  tlie  (huuage  they  du  tu  corn  aimmnts 
to  but   little. 

EMIL.   ULHICH,   Stroudsburff,   Monroe   County: 

Raccoons  will  go  for  the  corn  ears  occasionally,  but  the 
damage  is  trifling. 

GEO.   S.  APPLEBY,  Decorum,  Huntingdon  County: 

Raccoons  devour  corn  and  they  are  sometimes  very  de- 
structive to  it. 

J.  S.  GAY,  Terry  town,  Bradford  County: 

I  have  known  'coons  to  wallow  the  corn  down  equal  to 
turning  the  hogs  in.  Muskrats  I  have  known  to  destroy  corn 
to  a  certain  extent. 

HON.    G.    C.   BROWN,   Yorkana,   York   County: 

Raccoons  are  very  fond  of  fresh  water  clams,  which  they 
dig  out  of  the  sand  or  gravel  on  the  banks  of  streams  with 
great  dexterity. 

L.  T.  WILT,   Franklin,   Venango  County: 

Submitted  to  Al.  Simons  (a  colored  gentleman  sportsman). 
He  says:  "Raccoons  are  great  water  waders,  fishing  with  their 
paws  under  small  stones,  and  when  bitten  in  the  claw  by  a 
crab  or  crawler,  the  Raccoon  raises  his  paw  to  his  mouth  and 
removes  the  object  that  had  taken  hold.  The  Raccoon,  when 
working  on  corn,  scratches  the  husk  with  his  paw  on  account 
of  the  husk  getting  between  his  teeth,  then  cuts  the  grain  clean 
to   the  cob." 

JAMES  THOMAS,   Curwensville,  Clearfield  County: 

Raccoons  fish  from  early  in  the  spring  until  late  in  the  fall; 
they  will  follow  a  fish,  wallowing  like  a  hog,  and  chase  them 
under  a  stone,  then  catch  them. 

W.   C.   SLOAN,  Sloan,  Westmoreland  County: 

Raccoons  destroy  corn  in  the  roasting  season;  Squirrels,  wheat 
in  head;  Muskrats  and  Groundhogs  (Woodchucks)  cut  and  de- 
stroy corn,  oats,  wheat  and  grass  when  in  the  green  stage. 
Done  yearly  on  my  farm. 


483 

OTTO  BEHR,  Lopez,  Sullivan  County: 

Raccoons  fish  by  feeling  with  their  paws  under  the  stones 
and  in  this  manner  catch  a  good  many  crawfish,  but  the  amount 
of  fisli  tliey  catch  in  this  manner  would  be  very  small,  as  they 
only  fish  in  shallow  water. 

GEO.  R.  BOAK,   Pine  Glen,  Centre  County: 

I  have  seen  fields  of  corn  one-tliird  destroyed  by  Squirrels 
and  Raccoons. 

W.  A.  ALBA,  Bradford  County,  Pa.: 
Raccoons  destroy  some  corn  in  the  fall  when  fit  to  roast. 

PAUL  SWINGLE,  South  Canaan,  Wayne  County: 

Raccoons  are  quite  destructive  to  corn  while  it  is  in  the  milk 
by  pulling  down  the  ear  and  eating  the  same  and  carrying  it 
away. 

R.  W.  WEHRLE,  Blairsville,  Indiana  County: 
Raccoon   very  destructive  to  crops. 

CHARLES    RUSSELL,    Russell   Hill,    Wyoming   County: 

'Coons  and  Mink  destroy  many  trout  in  our  small  streams 
when  they  are  low  in  summer. 

GEO.  S.  PURDY,  Honesdale,  Wayne  County: 
Have  seen  Raccoons  fishing  in  shallow  pools  on  trout  streams. 

E.  O.  AUSTIN,  Austin,  Potter  County: 
Raccoons  catch  trout;  have  seen  them. 

G.  C.  MARSHALL,  Uniontown,  Fayette  County: 

The  Mater  Fnakes  and  'Coons,  during  low  water,  are  the 
greatest  enem.ies  of  trout. 

FRANK    G.    KEATLBY,    Clarion,    Clarion    County: 
Have  seen  Minks  and  Raccoons  catch  trout. 

A.  S.  HECK,  Coudersport,  Potter  County: 

Have  often  seen  places  in  trout  streams  where  Raccoons  have 
caught  trnut. 


484 

JAMES  VANDERGRIFT,  Stony  Fork,  Tioga  County: 
Raccoons  kill  fish. 

A.    B.   DOAN,    Little   Marsh,    Tioga  County: 
'Coons  destroy  fish. 

JOHN  B.   TRUMAN,  Wellsboro',  Tioga  County: 

When   the  streams  are  low  the  Minks  and  'coons  kill  a  great 
many  fish. 

I.  D.   REITTER,    Karthaus,   Clearfield  County: 

Raccoons  are  the  most  destructive  to  trout  though  they  are 
getting  very  scarce. 

CHESTER  M.   LINGLE,  Phillipsburg,   Centre   County: 
'Coons  in  this  section  catch   trout. 


485 


CHAPTER  VI. 


LOCALITIES     WHKKE     POULTRY  DESTROYING 
ANIMALS  ARE  FOUND. 


MISCELLANEOUS  INTRODUCTORY   NOTES. 


By  DR.  B.  H.  WARKEN.  State  ZooloyUt. 


Tliis  great  commercial  highway  of  the  nation,  with 
branches  penetrating  almost  every  county  in  Penn- 
sylvania, New  Jersey,  Delaware  and  Maryland — the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad — reaches  every  section  of  this 
territory  where  the  best  of  the  present  gunning  and 
llshing  may  be  found,  fro^m  the  bays  and  harbors  of  the 
matchless  Jersey  coast  with  their  famous  fishing 
grounds,  and  the  islands  and  inlets  of  the  Chesapeake 
Pay  with  their  acres  of  wild  ducks,  to  the  mountain 
wildernesses  of  Clinton,  Clearfield,  Elk  and  Cameron 
counties  with  their  ideal  trout  streams,  their  deer 
rjuiges,  and  their  shaggy-coated  Bears  and  predatory 
^^'ild  Cats.  Covering  such  a  vast  and  diversiCcd  terri- 
tory, and  affording  conveniences  and  comforts  of 
travel  unsurpassed  by  any  other  railroad  in  the  world, 
it  holds  out  peculiar  inducements  to  the  gunner,  the 
angler,  and  tc-  the  naturalist  in  search  of  knowledge, 
specimens  or  sport,  and  recreation. 


486 


A  CONVENIENT  CLASSIFICATION. 

For  the  convenience  of  sportsmen  or  zoological  stu- 
dents who  would  hunt  the  poultry  and  game-devouring 
animals,  the  data  in  the  following  pages  has  been 
dassitied  under  the  diU'erent  kinds  of  game  and  fish; 
and, still  further, it  has  been  divided  into  three  sections 
in  respect  to  U'lritorv ;  llie  lirst  section  covering  tlie 
territory  east  of  the  Susquehanna  and  its  tributaries, 
Xew  Jersey,  and  the  enure  Delaware  and  Virginia 
Peninsula;  the  second  section  covering  the  territory 
drained  by  the  Susquehanna,  and  that  lying  imme- 
diately north  and  south  which  is  reached  by  the  lines 
of  the  railroad;  the  third  section  covering  all  the  ter- 
ritory in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  west  of  the  sum- 
mit of  the  Alleghenies  which  is  reached  by  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad. 

The  wide  scope  of  territory  traversed  by  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad  system,  hereinafter  referred  to,  ex- 
tends from  the  broad  Atlantic  southward  to  the  fine 
ducking  grounds  of  the  renowned  Chesapeake  with  its 
several  large  tributaries,  which  at  certain  seasons  teem 
with  Rail  (Sora)  and  Reed  birds,  besides  numerous 
other  varieties  of  acquatic  birds  so  eagerly  sought  for 
by  sportsmen  and  epicures:  and  westward  to  tlie  pic- 
turesque Allegheny  Valley. 

A    GRAND    FIELD    FOR    SCIENTIFIC    RESEARCH. 

This  exi)aiisive  and  diversified  area  is,  it  seems 
almost  needless  to  remark,  a  grand  field  for  the  student 
of  natural  history;  forsooth,  it  matters  not  what  special 
branch  of  the  systematic  natural  sciences  he  pursues. 
Entomologists  claim  that  probably  fully  25,000  kinds 
of  insects  find  suitable  dwelling  places  here;  numerous 
species  of  fishes — many  of  which  furnish  fine  sport  to 


iUiglers — valuiible  lui-  table  use,  inhabit  the  salt  aud 
fresh  waters,  and  in  some  parts  the  rich  and  varied 
deposits  are  especially  allurinjf  to  the  mineralogist. 
Fei-tilesoil  or  other  hosts  give  sustenance  to  thousands 
of  species  of  plants  (flowering  and  nun-flowering) 
hence  the  botanist  assures  us  this  is  "a  Held  of  milk 
and  honey''  as  regards  the  securing  of  rare  specimens 
for  the  herbarium. 

Individuals  who  desii-e  to  study  the  life  liistories  and 
economic  status  of  poultry-destroying  birds,  mammals, 
or  fish,  can,  by  consulting  succeeding  pages  of  this 
chapter,  suiely  find  these  creatures — made  by  Divine 
hand  with  some  good  object  in  view — which  at  times 
are  so  aggravating  to  farmers,  poulterers  and  sports- 
men. 

THE  MECCA  OF  NATURALISTS. 

Pennsylvania,  by  reason  of  its  peculiar  geographical 
position,  its  mountain  ranges,  large  area  of  wild  lands, 
its  numerous  water  courses,  and  many  romantic  lakes, 
is  a  natural  game  preserve,  and  the  home  of  many 
species  of  the  feathered  tribes,  which,  although  un- 
known to  the  sportsman  who  goes  in  quest  of  furred 
and  feathered  game,  are  eagerly  sought  after  by  th(^ 
natural  history  student.  The  advantiiges  which  the 
Keystone  State  possesses  for  zoological  investigations 
are  manifold.  .Many  daiiiiy  s[)ecies  of  nimble  Warb 
lers,  the  sweet-voiced  Tlnnshes,  cor  lain  fierce  or,  on  tlu' 
olher  hand,  well-disposed  members  of  the  raptorial 
feathered  races,  as  well  as  several  members  of  the 
Sparrow  family,  together  with  other  representatives 
of  avian-life,  all  of  which  are  attributed  to  the  Cana- 
ilian  launa.  make  I  heir  suiiinicr  homes  in  s('(]iies(«M-e<l 
mountain  fastnesses  of  this  Common  weal  I  h.     A  num 


488 

ber  ol  biidis  includcHl  in  the  Cjiroliniaii  t;iiiii;i  fiii<l  con 
u;enial  lionies  within  the  boideis  of  this  favored  hind 
of  Penn. 

OVER  300    KINDS  OF  BIRDS. 

Oi-nithohjj^ncal  research  has  shown  that  there  are 
accredited  to  Pennsylvania,  not  less  than  325  species 
and  subspecies  of  birds,  which  occur  here  as  residents, 
migrants,  si.mmer  sojourners,  stragglers  or  extralimi- 
tants.  Of  this  large  number,  the  majority  are  of 
great  service  to  mankind  because  of  their  insect-eating 
proclivities;  nearly  one-half  of  this  number  occur  as 
breeders  yviih  us. 

A  PARADISE   FOR   OOLOGISTS. 

The  presence  of  so  many  species  in  this  State  during 
the  season  of  reproduction  places  Pennsylvania  high  in 
the  list  of  localities  to  be  visited  by  students  especially 
interested  in  oological  science. 

SPECIES  NEW  TO  SCIENCE. 

In  this  connection  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that  the 
note  books  and  field  observations  of  thoroughly  trust- 
worthy naturalists  show,  peradventure,  that  certain 
species  of  birds,  whose  nests  and  eggs  have  never  y(4 
been  defiled  by  human  hands,  are  to  be  found  regularly 
during  the  summer  or  breeding  seasoo,  in  the  virgin 
forests — so  rapidly  disai)pearing  before  the  woods- 
man's axe  or  ruinous  forest  fires — about  the  pic- 
turesque and  higher  mountain  peaks,  with  their  stately 
forest  monarchs,  their  beautiful  and  ever  green  rho- 
dodendrons, and  other  sweet-scented  wild  flowers, 
which  in  the  balmy  eTune  days  are  shown  in  all  their 
charms.  This  is  the  time  the  oological  student  should 
take  his  vacation  to  search  for  desired  treasures,  and 


489 

his  heart  may  be  made  to  bound  with  indesciibabU' 
joy  by  fltidiu<;-  the  neatly  constructed  nests  and  ej?.s^s  of 
species  which,  the  eyes  of  man — so  far  as  written 
records  are  concerned — have  never  beheld. 

FINE  TERRITORY  IN  WINTER. 

The  student  of  natural  history,  if  his  wants  are  in  the 
liiu'  of  feathered  specimens  for  the  cabinet,  can  travel 
the  rich  ajfricultural  or  wild'  unimproved  tracts  of 
I'ennsyjvania,  and  secure  much  material.  Different 
si>eci(\s  of  birds  retire  in  the  summer  season  to  the 
boreal  wilds,  where  they  rear  their  young  and  are  com- 
paratively free  fr-om  man's  despoilin<2:  hand.  Aswinter 
ai)proaches  these  birds  migrate  southward  from  tlic 
land  of  the  Eskimo  and  savage  Polar  Bear  to  glean  a 
livelihood  which,  so  far  as  many  of  them  are  ccn- 
cerned,  is  a  great  boon  to  miankind. 

WINTER  BIRDS. 

Besides  these  natives  of  the  Arctic  solitudes,  nu- 
merous other  species,  some  residents  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  others  which,  for  the  most  part,  breed  north  or 
soutli  of  our  boundaries,  are  present  with  us  in  goodly 
numbers,  as  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  the  winter 
birds  in  PenLsylvania  numfber  approximately  about 
one-third  of  the  bird  fauna. 

SOME   ANIMALS  WHICH   HAVE   BEEN   EXTERMINATED. 

Manyyears  ago  Pennsylvania  contained  the  massive, 
shaggy-coated  Buffalo,  the  bulky  and  big-antlered  Elk. 
and  the  fleet  footed  and  clean  limbed  Virginia  Deer, 
which,  with  other  kinds  of  furred,  feathered  and  finny 
game,  then  so  abundnnt.  furnished  bounteous  repasts 
31*11 


490 

lo  our  sturdy  pioneer  Muieslors  who  blazed  throuj^li 
unbroken  foi'ests  the  1  rails  to  the  land  of  the  seUiuj; 
sun, 

WHEN    THE    FLINT-LOCK    WAS    EMPLOYED. 

Indeed,  one  does  not  have  to  look  back  to  the  early 
history  of  this  State;  in  Kevolutio'uary  days,  or  later, 
when  saiTige  aborijiines  and  wild  beasts  of  the  path- 
less forests  were  constantly  on  the  watch  to  waylay 
the  settler  or  destroy  his  possessions. 

By  refeiring  to  the  annnal  report  of  the  Department 
of  Agriculture,  (Pa.)  for  1890,  we  find  (pages  323-32G 
and  330-334)  some  most  interesting  records  concerning 
game  in  I'enr.sylvania.  Tn  this  publication,  an  ac- 
co'unt,  entitled  *'How  Onr  Forefathers  Hunted  Big 
riame,"  is  given  of  some  famous  hunts  which  took 
place  in  Bradford  county,  of  this  State,  about  70  years 

KILLED    FORTY  DEER   IN   ONE   DAY. 

On  one  occasion,  where  the  })rosperous  town  of 
Waverly  now  stands, there  were  killed  in  a  single  day's 
hunt,  forty  Deer,  eight  Black  Bears,  thirteen  Wolves,  a 
large  number  of  Foxes  and  a  few  Panthers.  In  the  fall 
of  1818.  a  big  hunt,  in  which  the  pioneer  farmers  for 
miles  about  took  part,  was  had  in  Bradford  county. 

A  MENANCE  TO   LIFE  AND  PROPERTY. 

"Fii  tlidsc  ila.vs  wild  animals  were  so  numerous  in  the  val- 
ley and  on  the  surroundingr  hills  as  to  bo  a  serious  drawback 
to  the  pioneer  farmers  in  the  growing  of  their  crops  and  the 
keeping  of  their  live  stock,  to  say  nothing  of  the  constant 
fear  in  which  they  stood  for  the  safety  of  themselves  and 
families." 


491 


HUXTKD  WITH  FLAILS  AND  PITCHFORKS. 

This  hunt  was  engaged  in  by  many  men  who  col- 
lected from  far  and  near  on  a  given  day.  The  majority 
were  armed  with  flint-lock  guns,  but  many  in  the  ranks 
were  armed  with  no  such  weapons,  and  llu^y  carried 
axes,  pitchforks,  clubs,  and  even  flails.  These  rude 
weapons  were  made  good  use  of  on  the  march  and  in 
the  round  up  one  man,  Sj'lvant  Decker,  covered  him- 
self with  honor  by  despatching  two  Bears  with  his 
flail,  but  only  after  a  liard  battle  with  each  animal.  A 
flail  in  the  hands  of  Jacobus  VanSickle,  vv^as  used  to 
crush  the  head  of  an  immense  buck  as  it  attempted  to 
rush  by;  gaunt,  snapping  Wolves,  and  gauie-devouring 
Foxes  were  killed  in  numbers  with  clubs  and  pitch- 
forks. 

COL.    STEVENS'   FAMOUS   HUNT. 

In  1818  Colonel  Adin  Stevens  conceived  the  idea  of 
a  big  hunt.  He  collected  together  early  in  the  morning 
of  December  4th.  about  1,000  settlers,  who  formed  in 
line  and  marching  from  all  directions,  covering  a  large 
circle  of  ton-itory.  they  proceeded,  making  all  the  noise 
possible  by  blowing  horns,  etc.,  to  a  high  knoll  of 
about  three  acres,  which  was  reached  late  in  the  aftei'- 
noon. 

"As  the  hunters  drew  in  around  this  knoll  they  killed  one 
hundred  and  fifty  deer,  fifteen  bears,  fifty  wolves,  and  no  end 
of  foxes.  Thirty  deer  escaped  through  one  gap  in  the  ranks. 
.\mong  Colonel  Stevens"  hunters  was  Major  Thereon  Darling, 
a  veteran  of  the  Revolution.  He  was  a  man  over  six  feet 
tall.  In  the  chase  of  one  of  the  deer  on  the  knoll,  a  big  doe. 
Major  Darling  stood  still,  waiting  for  the  deer  to  be  driven  his 
way.  He  stood  with  his  long  legs  wide  apart.  Suddenly  the 
doe  started  toward  him.  ducked  her  head  and  rushed  between 
the  ATajor's  legs,  that  being  the  most  available  opening  she 
saw  for  escape.    The  contact  threw  the  Major  forward  on  the 


492 

doe's  back.  He  mechanically  clasped  his  arms  about  her 
body.  Away  the  perplexed  deer  flew  through  the  forest, 
bearing  Major  Darling,  feet  first,  along  with  her.  He  held  on, 
and  after  the  deer  had  run  with  him  half  a  mile  or  more,  he 
managed  to  catch  her  by  one  hind  leg  and  trip  her  up.  She 
fell  heavily  to  the  ground,  and  before  she  could  regain  her  feet 
the  Major  cut  her  throat." 

"THINGS   ARE    DIFFERENT    NOW." 

As  civilization  advances  and  improved  firearms  be- 
come every  year  cheaper  and  more  numerous,  the  wild 
birds  and  four  footed  (undomesticated)  animals  will 
decrease.  Tliis  is  not  alone  true  of  Pennsylvania,  for 
we  see  in  other  regions,  where  proper  laws  are  not  en- 
acted and  enforced  for  the  protection  of  game  (birds, 
mamnmls  and  fish),  these  creatures,  interesting  and 
often  A^aluable  from  eommercial  and  other  economic 
standpoints,  are  fercquently  exterminated. 

MANY  YET  REMAIN. 

Ingenuity  has  enabled  man  to  make  the  most  deadly 
and  rapid-firing  arms,  which,  in  the  hands  of  profes- 
sional meat  or  skin  hunters,  have,  within  the  last  fif- 
teen years,  caused  much  depletion  of  the  large  four- 
footed  game,  and  also  feathered  kinds,  as  well  as  the 
briglilly-dressed  song  and  insect-eating  birds,  which, 
fashion  has  decreed  that  frail,  fastidious  woman — 
lovely  though  she  is,  and,  without  her,  terrestrial  exis- 
tence would  rot  be  worth  a  farthing — shall  decorate 
her  pretty  head. 

FIFTY  SPECIES  OF  MAMMALS. 

Natwithstarding  the  slaughter  in  the  last  quarter 
of  a  century  of  wild  animals,  drcssi^d  either  in  warm 
<(»ats  of  fur  <!•!•  attra(tiv(^  f(>athpi'  gaibs,  one  may  yet, 
with  i)roi)er  instructions  and  investigations,  find  many 


493 

species  of  mammals  (unflomesticated)  in  Pennslyvania, 
where  we  have  at  the  present  time  probably  fifty  well 
defined  species. 

Birds,  also,  even  in  (he  lace  of  most  iieartless  cru- 
sades made  auainst  thrm  by  market  hunters,  (after  the 
game  birds  and  other  kinds  slaughtered  by  the  tens  of 
thousands  for  the  millinery  trade), are  still  to  be  found, 
as  stated  elsewhere  in  this  article,  at  certain  seasons 
and  in  particular  localities,  quite  plentifully. 

SOME   THAT  HAVE  GONE. 

The  last  Bison  or  Buffalo,  accocrding  to  Mr.  S.  N. 
Rhoads,*  "killed  in  Central  Pennsylvania  was  shot 
about  the  year  1800,  by  Col.  John  Kelley,  in  Kelley 
township,  Union  county,  five  miles  from  Lewisburg." 

THE  LAST  EL.K. 

About  35  years  ago  a  large  Elk  was  taken,  my  friend 
and  colleague,  the  Commissioner  of  Forestry,  Dr.  Jo- 
seph T.  Kothrock,  tells  me,  when  he  was  with  a  corps  of 
civil  engineers,  surveying  a  line  for  the  Philadelphia 
and  Erie  Railroad,  in  the  county  of  Elk. 

Mr.  S.  N.  Rhoads  says  in  referring  to  this  species: 
"The  latter-nam(d  regions  (Potter,  Tioga  and  Lycoming 
counties),  formed  the  liunting  grounds  of  my  veteran 
friend,  f^eth  I.  Nelson,  whose  diary,  between  1831  and 
1837,  shows  that  he  killed  28  Elk  during  the  period." 

Mr.  Rhoads,  quoting  Setli  T.  Nielsen,  says: 

"A  bull  Elk  was  killed  in  Elk  county  In  1867  by  a  veteran 
Indian  hunter  of  the  Cattaraugus  Reservation,  named  Jim 
Jacobs," 


*A  contribution  to  the  Mammalogy  of  Central  Pennsylvania, 
by  Samuel  N.  Rhoads.  Published  in  the  Proceeding-s  of  the 
Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia,  April,  1897. 


494 

This  is  believed  to  have  been  the  hist  ElU  taken  iu 
I'eiinsylvaiiia. 

THE   BE  AVER. 

The  broad-tailed  IJeaver,  a  valuable  fur-beariug 
animal,  mauy  yeai's  ago  was  abundant  in  different 
sections  of  this  State.  One  may  at  the  present  time 
find  renuiinss  of  tlieir  ancient  dwelling-  places  about 
strean.is  and  dams.  The  former  presence  of  these  in- 
telligent animals  in  numerous  localities  is  further  at- 
tested by  such  familiar  and  suggestive  names  as 
Beaver  Dam,  Beaver  Creek,  Beaver  Meadows,  etc. 
According  to  Mr.  George  K.  Boak,  Pine  Glen,  Pa.,  the 
Beaver  was  found  in  Centre  county  about  30  years  ago, 
but  like  the  Wolk,  Elk  and  Panther,  which  also  occur- 
red there,  all  have  been  exterminated.  Mr.  Abraham 
Neveling,  an  aged  and  well-informed  naturalist,  of 
Coalport,  Pa.,  says,  "The  last  Beaver  was  trapped  in 
Clearfield  county  in  1837."  The  latest  record  of  the 
capture  of  this  species  in  Pennsylvania,  of  which  I  can 
find  any  record  of  reliability,  is  that  made  by  Mr.  S.  N. 
Rhoads,  who  quotes  as  follows,  from  Mr.  Seth  Nelson, 
Jr.: 

"The  last  (Beaver  taken  in  this  State)  was  liilled  on  Pine 
Creek,  nine  years  ago  (1884).  A  part  of.Pine  Creek  is  in  Clinton 
county,  and  part  in  Tioga  county,  but  the  Beaver  was  started 
in  Potter  county  and  followed  down  through  Tioga  county, 
and  killed  in  Clinton  county.' 

BEAVERS  IN   "OLD  VIRGINIA." 

If  the  natural  history  student  desires  to  study  the 
Beaver  on  his  native  heath,  he  can  at  a  very  moderate 
money  outlay  and  in  a  short  time,  find  them  at  home  in 
the  swampy  woods  of  Surrey  county,  Virginia,  where 
last  year  the  writer    found    freshly    fallen    trees  cut 


495 

down  by  a  small  colonj  of  these  animals.  To  reach 
this  place  from  Philadelphia  one  can  piocuie  at  Broad 
Street  Station,  a  ticket  to  Old  I'oint  Comfort  by  way 
of  Cape  Charles,  then  take  a  James  river  steamer  to 
(Maremont,  where  guides  and  hotel  accommodations 
can  be  had.  Jn  the  heavily-wooded  swamps,  about 
two  and  one-half  miles  south  of  Spring  Gi'ove  post- 
ollice,  which  is  some  six  raih^s  by  wagon  road  west  of 
(Jlaremont,  you  can,  I  am  quite  conlideut,  find  Beavers 
living  in  hollow  logs,  or  in  houses  of  their  own  make. 
Lastyear  a  hunter  wbom  I  met  in  this  locality  and  who 
had  eight  pelts  of  these  animals  which  he  had  recently 
slain  and  sold  for  $40,  said  he  discovered  no  "bouses," 
but  found  the  Beavers  living  in  logs  and  trees  which 
were  hollow. 

THE  AMERICAN  WOLF. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  for  several  years  past  the 
writer  has  made  especial  efforts  to  verify  the  statement 
that  this  animal  is  still  to  be  found  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  has  failed,  he  is  very  much  inclined  to  the  opinion 
that  none  of  the  species,  in  a  wild  state,  are  present  in 
this  Commonwealth.  It  is  true  that  bounty  records 
in  different  counties  of  the  State,  as  late  perhaps  as  six 
months  since,  show  that  "wolf  scalps"  have  been  paid 
for.  Such  data,  however,  must  not  be  taken  as  con- 
clusive evidence  of  the  presence  of  these  animals,  for 
the  ''lieads  and  ears"  of  grizzly,  long-haired  cur  dogs, 
etc.,  or  the  pelts  of  wolves  brought  to  Pennsylvania 
from  other  states,  have  in  past  years  proven  of  consid- 
erable value  to  scalp  hunters,  although  expensive  to 
the  local  taxpayers.  A  large  Wolf  was  lately  slain  in 
Westmoreland  county,  but  investigation  disclosed  the 
fact  that  it  had  been  shipped  alive  from  the  far  west 


496 

and  liberated  to  be  puiisui'd  by  hounds,  from  which  il 
escaped,  lo  be  subsequently  taken  as  a  genuine  exam 
pie  of  a  Pennsylvania  Wolf. 

WOLVES  IN  TIOGA  COUNTY. 

Up  ill  Tioga  county,  the  section  which  for  several 
years  has  so  well  and  faithfully  been  represented  in 
our  State  Legislature  by  Hon.  W.  T.  Merrick,  three 
Wolves  were  killed  in  the  autumn  of  189G. 

In  support  of  such  an  important  record  the  follow- 
ing paragraph  is  clipped  from  the  Athens  (Pa.)  News, 
January  29th,  1800: 

"Last  fall  Charles  Lee"s  circus  and  menagerie  was  sold  out 
at  Canton  by  the  Sheriff,  and  among-  other  animals  three 
coyotes  or  prairie  wolves  were  sold  for  fifty  cents  each  to 
Charles  Kerby.  He  kept  them  tied  up  in  his  dooryard  for  a 
couple  of  months  and  then  took  them  over  into  Tioga  county  in 
a  box,  and  a  wolf  'hunt'  was  held.  Kerby  made  affidavit  lo 
the  killing  of  the  wolves  and  collected  the  bounty  of  $30  from 
the  county  commissioners,  telling'  them  a  'fairy  tale,'  about 
his  exploits  in  the  mountains  of  Union,  where  he  alleged  the 
dogs  ran  the  wolves  and  he  shot  them." 

SHOULD  SUCH  PRACTICES  EXIST? 

This  kind  of  work  is  "legal,"  that  is.  if  I  am  co-rrectly 
iiifoimed  about  the  bounty  law,  which  allows  a  pre- 
mium of  ten  dolars  each,  with  additional  fees  to  the 
local  olticials  before  whom  the  affidavit  of  killing  is 
made.  It  was  also  considered  to  be  in  accordance 
with  the  letter  of  the  law,  when,  under  the  provisions 
of  the  "Scalp  Act  of  1885,"  Hawks,  which  were  caught 
alive  in  traps  in  neighboring  states  and  brought  over 
the  line  into  Pennsylvania  and  killed,  to  pay  for  their 
"heads."  The  eggs  of  several  kinds  of  birds  of  prey 
were,  it  is  said,  also  collected  in  Ohio,  and  other  ad- 
joining states,  carried  into  different  counties  of  this 


497 

Common weaKli  w  licre,  uiidoi-  domes!  icaled  fowls  or  in 
incubatiH-s  they  weie  hatelied  out,  and  (lie  young  ones 
were  sold  for  the  50  eents  hountv  iind.*r  tht-  Ael  of 
I88r>. 

WOLVES   WERE    BAD    NEIGHBORS. 

Years  ago,  when  our  sturdy,  brave-hearted,  indus- 
trious and  hard-working  pioneer  lathers  had  their 
iliut-locks  at  all  times  by  their  sides,  ever  ready  to 
battle  with  the  treacherous  and  cunning-  Indians  and 
other  wild  forest  animals,  the  ravenous,  howling,  and 
lleet-footed  Wolf  held  high  carnival  here,  but  now 
this  i)redatory  animal,  like  the  Indian  of  Revolution- 
ary days,  has  passed  away. 

Illustrative  of  the  destructive  nature  of  the  prowling 
bands  of  Wolves  which  formerly  infested  our  Com- 
monwealth, the  following  extract  is  taken  from  the 
note-book  of  Mr.  C.  W.  Dickinson,  of  Norwich,  Mc- 
Kean  county.  Pa. 

A  TERROR  TO  SHEEP  OWNERS. 
"The  Wolf  was  a  terror  to  the  sheep  owners  for,  like  the 
Indian,  he  wanted  to  kill  as  long  as  there  was  a  sheep  left. 
In  1869  Wolves  killed  twentj'-eight  sheep  in  the  month  of  May 
for  a  neighbor  of  mine;  they  killed  fourteen  each  night;  they 
made  but  two  raids  on  them,  and  there  were  only  two  Wolves 
each  night.  These  two  Wolves  had  a  litter  of  whelps.  I  know 
this  to  be  a  fact,  for  I  followed  them  to  their  lair  and  captured 
the  old  slut  and  five  whelps.  From  the  18th  day  of  May,  1869, 
to  May  15th,  1872,  I  caught  fifteen  Wolves  and  crippled  three 
more.  I  think  I  have  seen  where  wolves  have  killed  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  sheep,  at  least.  I  have  seen  where  wolves  have 
killed  deer  a  good  many  times.  The  last  Gray  Wolf  killed  in 
this  county  was  taken  by  a  boy  on  the  Kinzua  creek,  in  1886." 

FOLLOWED    HUMAN    BEINGS. 

Mr.  Abraham  Neveling,  of  Coalport,  Pa.,  mentions 
that  in  183G  he  knew  a  band  of  Wolves  to  kill,  in  one 
32 -n 


498 

iiij^ht,  eighteen  sheep;  and  to  illustrate  the  bold  and 
blood-thirsty  nature  of  this  dog-like  animal,  Mr. 
Neveling  adds,  "the  last  Wolf  1  have  knowledge  of 
was  killed  by  myself  in  1858,  near  Janesville,  this 
county,  (Cleartield).  The  circumstances  were  as  fol- 
lows: 

"Mr.  Joseph  McCully  and  wife  were  on  their  way  to  the 
grist  mill  at  Janesville;  a  colt  was  following  the  sled  and  the 
Wolf  came  in  pursuit;  it  followed  within  a  mile  of  the  settle- 
ment. Mr.  McCully  aroused  me  in  the  early  morning  and  re- 
lated the  facts  in  the  case,  and  I  took  the  track  of  the  animal 
and  in  a  few  hours  shot  him." 

A  DOCTOR'S  TERRIBLE  EXPERIENCE. 

About  the  year  1845  Wolves  were  abundant  in 
Tomhickon  Valley,  between  Catawissa  and  Hazleton, 
where,  according  to  my  friend,  Dr. Thomas  C.Thornton, 
they  often  atacked  human  beings,  destroyed  the  set- 
tlers' cattle,  sheep,  pigs  and  poultry  and  devoured 
game.  When  the  Catawissa  railroad,  a  part  of  the 
Philadelpliia  and  Reading  system,  was  being  built,  Dr. 
Thomas  A.  H.  Thornton,  a  practicing  physician  and 
the  father  of  Dr.  Thomas  C,  Thornton,  now  a  promi- 
nent medical  practitioner  of  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania, 
one  cold  Autumn  night  was  called  out  of  bed  to  visit 
a  patient  about  twenty  miles  from  his  home.  At  that 
time  there  were  no  regular  roads  as  we  now  have.  In 
their  fdace  the  traveler  used  narrow  paths  or  trails, 
which,  in  many  jtlaces.  were  illy  defined,  and  an  inex- 
perienced person  often  lost  his  way  when  endeavoring 
to  follow  thein.  This  was  the  misfortune  of  Dr.  Thorn- 
ton who,  in  his  anxiety  to  reach  the  bedside  of  the 
sufferer,  attempted  to  make  ji  short  cut.  He  lost  his 
way  and  for  one  week  wandered  through  the  wilder- 
ness; and,  having  no  gun,  was  obliged  to  subsist  on 


499 

routs  aud  befbs.  The  doctor  was  ou  horseback,  aud 
after  wauderiug  aimlessly  about  tlie  pathless  forests 
for  four  or  live  days,  they  got  into  a  large  swamp 
where  the  horse  stepped  into  a  quagmire,  from  which 
his  owner  was  unable  to  extricate  him  and  the  noble 
animal  had  to  be  abandoned,  imbedded  as  he  was  al- 
most to  his  belly  in  the  soft  and  boggy  bed.  The  Doc- 
tor removed  the  saddle  bags  containing  his  supply  of 
medicines,  etc.,  threw  them  over  his  shoulders  and 
started  off.  In  those  days  it  was  customary  to  wear 
green  baize  leggins  to  protect  one  from  the  cold. 

WOLVES  ON  HIS  TRAIL. 

Several  hours  after  the  Doctor  got  out  of  the  swamp 
where  lie  had  abandoned  his  horse  he  was  horrified  to 
see  that  he  was  being  followed  by  a  band  of  five  or 
six  Wolves.  At  first  they  kept  at  a  respectful  dis- 
tance when  sticks  were  thrown  at  them,  but  finally  as 
if  they  appreciated  the  helpless  condition  of  their  in- 
tended victim,  aud,  as  darkness  came  on,  the  hungry, 
blood-thirsty  band  became  bolder  and  bolder;  they 
circled  around  the  terrified  and  jaded  man,  and  clos- 
ing in  started  to  attack  him  on  all  sides.  One  more 
vicious  and  impulsive  than  the  others  made  a  spring 
at  the  Doctor's  throat,  but  a  well  directed  blow  from 
a  club  temporarily  disabled  the  animal  and  caused  his 
ravenous  companions,  most  fortunately,  to  discontinue 
at  that  time  their  premeditated  and  combined  attack. 
The  Doctor,  by  this  thrilling  episode,  and  the  Wolves' 
frightened  condition,  succeeded  in  going  perhaps  a 
mile  unmolested,  when,  to  his  great  horror,  he  found 
the  whole  pack,  led  by  the  vicious  brute  he  believed 
he  had  maimed  with  his  club,  were  hot  on  his  trail. 
The  stunning  blow  administered  to  the  leader  of  the 


500 

howling  band  seemed  to  have  only  intensified  the 
brute's  coinage  and  thiist  for  blood.  The  man,  weak- 
ened by  long  exposure  and  loss  of  food,  realized  that 
he  would  soon  be  torn  to  pieces  if  he  did  not  ado])t 
s<»me  new  means  of  defense. 

A  DESPERATE  BATTLE  ON  THE  ROCKS. 

Fc^rtunaiely,  as  the  animals  began  closing  around 
him  foi'  ano{he!*  onslaught,  he  reached  a  high  rock  and 
nuirinli'd  on  its  top,  where  a  giant  tree  served  to  pro- 
tect him  from  falling  backward.  He  reached  this 
eminence  in  time  to  drop  his  saddle  bags  and  provide 
himself  with  some  stones  and  two  or  three  good  clubs 
before  his  piirsurers  started  to  attack  him.  He  stood, 
back  to  the  tree,  and  as  the  animals,  led  by  the  leader, 
attempted  to  come  up  he  drove  them  back  with  bis 
primitive  weapons.  A  large  stOTie  hurled  with  great 
force  and  accuracy  broke  the  head  of  one  of  the  as- 
sailants; this  fortunate  occurrence  gave  the  Doctor  a 
breathing  spell. 

AMMONIA   SAVED   HIM. 

The  man,  however,  realized  that  he  must  soon  quit 
this  refuge,  and  remembering  that  lie  had  in  his  sad- 
dle bags  a  large  bottle  full  of  ammonia  he  determined 
to  employ  it  as  a  final  report  to  save  his  life.  ITi^  quickly 
removed  one  of  his  baize  leggins,  tied  it  securely  to  a 
stick,  and  after  saturating  the  material  with  ammonia, 
he  boldly  started  down  from  the  rocky  pronwntory 
toward  the  Wolves.  Tlie  cunning  animals  apparently 
aware  that  he  could  more  easily  be  overpowered  on 
level  ground,  separated,  slunk  off,  and  pennitted  him 
to  proceed  several  hundred  yards  before  they  renewed 
the  pursuit.     They  did  not,  how-ever,  allow  much  time 


501 

to  elapse  before  tliey  took  the  trail  of  the  man  who 
had  thus  far  so  successfully  baffled  their  powers.  The 
Docloi-  .«tood  still  and  waited  until  one  of  the 
brutes  rushed  within  an  arm's  length  when  he  struck 
him  in  the  face  with  the  cloth  saturated  with  ammonia. 
This  reception  was  a  most  novel  and  unique  one  for 
the  Wolf  who  ran  off  howling  with  pain;  two  more  of 
the  band  were  slapped  across  the  mouths  with  the  sat- 
urated baize,  and  they  left.  After  this  experience  the 
Wolves  followed  the  Doctor  fill  daylight  the  next 
morning  when  they  gave  up  the  chase  which  they  had 
continued  for  forty-eight  hours,  and  which  unquestion- 
ably'^ would  have  resulted  in  a  most  horrible  death  if 
it  had  not  been  for  the  contents  of  the  ammonia  bot- 
tle. Dr.  Thornton  succeeded  in  finding  a  shanty  oc- 
cupied by  the  men  constructing  the  Catawissa  railroad, 
where  ho  was  carefully  cared  for,  and  in  the  course  of 
four  or  five  days  was  taken  to  his  home,  where  he  was 
ill  for  fully  a  month. 

THE    PANTHER. 

In  former  times  the  Panther  was  present  in  all  parts 
of  Pennsylvania,  but  now.  if  the  animal  is  found 
here  at  all,  and  I  very  much  doubt  the  species'  pres- 
ence in  our  State,  it  is  certainly  restricted  to  a  very 
few  of  the  most  inaccessible  mountain  sections.  The 
bounty  records  of  Centre  county  fo'i'  1880  shows  money 
was  given  for  a  "panther"  killed  there  in  that  year. 
Ml".  Rhoads  quotes  the  following  from  ^Tr.  Seth  Nel- 
son: "There  may  be  one  or  two  yet  in  Clearfield 
county;  but  the  Askey  boys  and  T  killed  two.  two  years 
ago  (ISOl)."  Mr.  Rhoads,  also  on  the  authority  of  Mr. 
Sefh  Xelson,  makes  reference  to  a  Panther  taken  in 
ISO.'*,  bv  I  lie  Tyon^-  bovs  on  "big  run  of  Beech  Ci-eek." 


502 


ROMANCING  SCRIBES. 


Tlie  name  o-f  "Catamount"  <;iven  by  many  woodsmen 
to  larj^e-sized  examples  of  tlie  Wildcat  or  Bay  Lynx, 
has  given  nev;spaper  correspondents  in  regions  where 
these  sreaking  nnd  detiimental  animals  are  i)lentiful, 
an  opportunity  to  send  to  the  press  some  most  read- 
able and  surprisingly  sensational  stories  when  a  big 
"cat"  is  caught  and  killed,  of  the  capture  of  a  ferocious 
mian-eating  or  live  stock  devounng  "panther."  The 
writer  has.  during  the  pnst  three  or  four  years,  taken 
especial  pains  to  investigate  these  newspaper  panther 
stories  and,  without  exception,  all  have  proven  false  or 
at  least  they  were  founded  on  erroneous  identifica- 
tion. Some  people,  not  versed  in  natural  history  mat- 
ters, consider  the  names  "Catamount,"  Panther  and 
"Painter"  to  be  synonymous.  This  misunderstanding 
is  perhaps  the  cause  of  so-  many  wrong  statements 
which  find  their  way  into  the  columns  of  some  of  our 
most  reputable  papers,  the  managers  of  which,  I  am 
well  aware,  strive  faithfully  to  guard  against  all  such 
errors. 

SPECIES    WHICH    ARE    RARE. 

The  Fisher  and  Pine  Marten  or  American  Sable, 
tenants  of  the  pine  and  hemlock  forests,  and  both  of 
considerable  economic  value  for  the  warm  and  attrac- 
tive articles  of  wearing  apparel  their  loose  blackish 
or  brown  coals  make  when  |)ass('d  through  the  skillful 
furrier's  hands,  are  likewise  about  ready  to  be  elided 
by  the  naturalist  from  the  indigenous  faana  of  ilic 
Keystone  State. 

Dr.  Tsaiah  F.  Everliai-t,  the  disfinguished  traveler 
and  naturalist,  of  Scranton,  about  ten  yeai's  ago  ob- 
tained two  Fishers  taken  in  that  region  by  a  hunter. 


503 

In  1874,  Mv.  M.  S.  Trescott,  naivcyvillc.  Luzeine 
county,  says:  "One  was  killed  on  tlie  Loyalsock  creek, 
in  Sullivan  county."  From  reports  of  New  York  City 
and  Pennsylvania  fur  dealers  and  sliij^pers,  it  is 
learned  that  probably  not  over  half  a  dozen  Fishers 
are  now  annually  killed  in  this  State.  At  the  present 
time  about  the  only  counties  where  these  animals  are 
to  be  found  are  in  Clearfield,  Cameron,  Elk  and  prob- 
ably Clinton,  Potter  and  Sullivan,  and  in  all  of  these 
they  are  reported  to  be  very  rare. 

THE  PINK  MARTEN. 

The  Pine  Mai  (en,  an  animal  very  mink-liko  in  its 
.general  apjx  aiance,  but  which  can  be  distinj?uished 
from  the  blood-thirsty  and  destructive  Mink  by  its 
white  and  yellowish  throat  markings,  seems  to  be  pre- 
sent, but  only  in  very  small  numbers,  in  a  few  sparsely- 
settled  sections  of  Cameron,  Potter,  Clearfield,  Clin- 
ton, Sullivan  and  Elk  counties.  Fur  deahn-s  claim 
from  twenty-five  to  fifty  are  annuallv  taken  in  this 
State. 

THE   WILD   PIGEON. 

Twenty  years  ago  the  ^Vild  Pigeon  occurred  in  great 
numbers  in  this  Commonwealth.  Nesting  or  roosting 
places,  covering  several  miles  each,  of  these  game  birds 
with  which  the  older  residents  are  so  familiar,  were 
regularly  resoited  to  year  after  year  by  the  i)igeons. 

The  love  of  jK-cnniary  gnin  stimulated  market  hunt- 
ers to  visit  these  i)laces  nnd  with  nets,  axes,  guns  and 
other  murdciou.'^  devices,  th(^y  soon  drove  the  helpless 
pigeons  from  one  locality  to  another  and  finallv  from 
the  State. 

A  few  of  these  birds  are  yet  occasionally  seen  along 


504 

the  Hues  of  the  Phihidelphia  and  Erie  Railroad,  in 
Cameron,  Elk  and  \\'aii'en  counties,  as  well  as  in  a 
few  other  sections  of  the  Commonwealth. 

THE    SQUIRRELS. 

The  game  laws  of  Pennsylvania  protect  two  species 
of  Squirrels  ^\hich  are  designated  by  the  common 
names  of  Fox,  Gray  and  "Black."  Tlie  Gray  Squirrel 
and  the  Black  Squirrel  are  very  generally  regarded 
by  sportsmen  as  different  species.  Naturalists,  how- 
ever do  not  so  consider  them,  but  call  the  black  in- 
dividuals melanistic  examples  of  the  Northern  Gray 
Squirrel,  (Sciurus  carolinensis*  leucoiis).  The  gray 
form  and  their  black-coated  relatives  are  some  years 
very  abundant  in  different  sections  in  the  hard  wood 
districts  along  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  Railroad 
from  Williamsport  to  Warren.  In  the  seasons  of  1896 
and  1897  individuals  of  this  species,  particularly  those 
with  gray  coats,  were  very  abundant  at  different  points 
along  the  Northern  Central  Railroad  from  Williams 
port  to  Elmira. 

Besides  the  Squirrels  named  in  the  last  above  para- 
graph we  have  the  Flying  Squirrel,  a  species  and  sub- 
species of  the  Red  Squirrel,  and  one  species  and  a 
geographical  race  of  the  Chipmunk  or  Striped  Ground 
Squirrel.  These  animals  feed  on  nuts  (mast),  seeds, 
roots,  buds,  berries  and  fruits;  they  eat  cereals,  but. 
with  the  exception  of  the  Gray  Squirrel,  which,  in 
some  sections  and  in  certain  years  is  quite  plentiful, 
they  do  but  little  .damage  to  the  farmer  in  the  way  of 
destroying  his  crops.  Squirrels,  however,  do  not  live 
exclusively  on  a  vegetable  diet;  they  catch  insects  and 
some  of  them  often  dovour  the  o<:[(;fi  and  vnung  of  birds. 


and  ihvy  have  also  boeii  dcU-ctcd  (U'lticdatin.i;  in   IIk' 
poultry  yard. 

EAT  BGGS,   BIRDS,   DUCKS  AND   CHICKExNS. 

Referring-  to  tlie  Red  Squirrel's  bill  of  fare  Dr.  C. 
Hart  Merriam*  says: 

"The  propensity  to  suck  the  eggs  and  destroy  the  young  of 
our  smaller  birds  is  the  worst  trait  of  the  Red  Squirrel,  and 
is  in  itself  sufficient  reason  for  his  extermination,  at  least 
about  the  habitations  of  man.  I  have  myself  known  him  to 
rob  the  nests  of  the  Red-eyed  Vireo,  Chipping  Sparrow,  Robin, 
Wilson's  Thrush,  and  Ruffed  Grouse,  and  doubt  not  that 
thousands  of  eggs  are  annually  sacrified,  in  the  Adirondack 
region  alone,  to  gratify  this  appetite.  Therefore,  when  abun- 
dant, as  he  always  is  during  the  springs  that  follow  good  nut 
years,  his  influence  in  checking  the  increase  of  our  insectivor- 
ous birds  can  hardly  be  overestimated.  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher  in- 
forms me  that  on  three  occasions  he  has  known  these  Squir- 
rels to  destroy  young  Robins.  *  *  *  *  j  have  long 
been  aware  that  this  animal  was  an  occasional  depredator  of 
the  poultry  yard,  and  find,  in  a  journal  written  twelve  years 
ago,  a  note  to  the  effect  that  a  case  had  come  to  my  knowl- 
edge where  one  was  caught  in  the  act  of  killing  both  chickens 
and  ducks." 

Numerous  letters  and  answers  to  circulars  received 
at  this  Department  from  farmers,  sportsmen  and  poul- 
terers testify  to  the  destruction  of  different  kinds  of 
wild  birds,  especially  Robins  and  Chirping  Sparrows, 
by  Red  Squirrels;  and  at  least  a  dozen  persons  have 
written  about  Squirrels  destroying  young  chickens  or 
the  young  of  domestic  pigeons. 

THE  FOX  SQUIRREL. 

This,  the  largest  of  all  our  Squirrels,  is  known  by 
some  as  the  "Cat    Squii'rel,''    a    mime   which    I   have 

*The  Vertebi-ates  of  the  Adirondack  Region  of  northeastern 
New   York,   p.   117. 


50(5 

frequently  beard  applied  to  the  mamiual  in  Virginia, 
Maryland,  Georgia  and  Florida.  Mr.  Bangs*  in  his 
review  of  the  Squirrels,  has  named  this  animal,  that  in 
former  years  was  quite  plentiful,  old  hunters  tell  U8, 
in  different  regions  of  Pennsylvania  where  stately  oaks 
were  numerous,  {Sciurua  ludovicianus  vicinua),  or 
Eastern  Fox  Squirrel. 

WHERE  FOUND  IN  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  Fox  Squirrel  is  rapidly  becoming  rare  in  this 
State,  The  species,  however,  may  still  be  found  in  the 
following  counties: 

Adams,  Franklin, 

Clinton,  Huntingdon, 

Cumberland,  Juniata, 

Dauphin,  Miflflin, 

Fulton,  Perry, 
York. 

THE    CHICKAREE. 

The  common  and  well-known  Red  Squirrel  or  Chick- 
aree, of  which  two  forms  are  thought  by  Mr.  Bangs  to 
exist  in  Pennsylvania,  is  not,  as  many  su])pose,  pro- 
t(H'tT'd  by  the  Hari'is  Came  bill,  ])assed  at  tlie  TvCgis- 
lalive  session  of  1897. 

THiO    ••ll.\l!!!ITrt"    OR   HARES. 

The  "White  Rabbit,"  called  also  the  "Mountain 
Jack"  and  tlie  "Snowshoe  Rabbil"  by  liniiieis  and 
woodsmen,  is  found  in  many  retired  swamps  in  the 
mountainous  regions  of  Pennsylvania.  Naturalists 
style    this    animal,    wliich    in     I  he    winlci-    season  is 

*  Pros.,   Riol.,  Sue,    Wash.     l&UG. 


507 

dressed  in  a  llulfy  coat  of  white,  but  in  the  suinnier  is 
uttired  in  brown,  the  Alleghenian  Varying  Hare  {Lepus 
americanus  virginianus).  It  is  a  southern  race,  a 
smaller  brother,  so  to  speak  as  it  were,  of  the  Northern 
Varying  Hare  which  abounds  in  the  Fur  countries. 
Thro-ugh  field  observations  during  the  last  five  or  six 
years  I  know  that  it  occurs  in  the  following  counties: 

Bradford,  Luzerne, 

Clinton,  Lycoming, 

Clearfield,  Mifflin, 

Cambria,  McKean, 

Centre,  Pike, 

Cameron,  Potter, 

Elk,  Sullivan, 

Erie,  Tioga, 

Forest,  Union, 

Huntingdon,  Wayne, 

Juniata,  Warren, 
W  yoniiiig. 

"COTTONTAILS." 

The  Rabbit,  as  this  Hare  is  commonly  called,  occurs 

abundantly  throughout  Pennsylvania.    The  Rabbit  or 

"Cottontail"   which   is  taken  in   the  higher  forested 

mountains  which  are  cleared  and  where  the  Varying 

Hare  formerly  had  his  home,  is  considered  by  Mr. 

Hangs  to  be  entitled  to  rank  as  a  subspecies  which  he 

calls  the  Alleghenian   Wood  Hare    {Lfjjm    si/fvaticua 

transitionali.y). 

These  llaies  last  niimed  are  so  abnmlant   in   some 

sections  of  Pennsylvania — particularly  is  this  said  to 
be  the  case  in  Clearfield  and  Northumberland  coun- 
ties— as  to  be  a  serious  nuisance  to  farmers.  Tlie 
"Cottontails"  destroy,  fruit  growers  and  nurserymen 


508 

say,  j^rcal  numbers  of  small  fruit  trees  about  tlieii- 
premises.  The  tommuii  everyday  Rabbit,  with  which 
every  farmer's  boy  is  well  acquainted,  is  called  the 
Carolinian  Wood  Hi\n'  f  Lepus  sylvaticus). 

DON'T  usf:  snares  or  ferrets. 

However,  notwithstanding  the  mischief  they  do,  it  is 
not  legal  to  use  snares,  other  similar  devices,  or  Fer- 
rets to  capture  these  mammals  which  inhabit  the 
woods  and  cultivated  fields. 

FOXES. 

Both  the  Red  Fox  and  the  Gray  Fox  are  found  in 
Pennsylvania.  They  are  destroyers  of  game  birds  and 
small  mamnvals.  The  Red  Fox  is  particularly  fond  of 
poultry;  he  also  captures  many  mice  and  insects,  and, 
sometimes,  he  kills  lambs  and  pigs. 

THE  WILD  CAT. 

This  animal,  which  is  so  extremely  destructive  of 
game,  as  well  as  of  the  farmers'  poultry,  that  he 
chances  to  meet  on  his  foraging  expeditions,  is  found 
in  a  number  of  counties  of  Pennsylvania,  and  accord- 
ing to  all  accounts  this  species  is  increasing  quite 
noticeably  in  several  regions  of  the  Commonwealth. 
The  Wild  Cat  is  quite  common  in  Clearfield,  Cameron, 
Clinton,  Elk,  Forest,  McKean,  and  Potter  counties. 

Wild  Cats  appear  to  have  multiplied  in  recent  years 
so  rapidly  in  several  counties  of  Pennsylvania  that  at 
the  last  session  of  our  Legislature  C97),  by  the  earnest 
efforts  of  prominent  residents  of  Cameron,  Clearfield, 
Lycoming,  Elk  and  a  few  other  counties  a  bounty  of 
two  dollars  per  head  was  placed  on  these  animals. 


509 

THE   RACCOON. 

Tlie  'Coon'  is  common  and  well-kuowu.  It  occurs 
jijenerally  throvighont  Ponns^'lvania,  from  which  region 
large  nnmbery  of  ])elts  of  this  coin-loving  animal  are 
annually  shipped.  Raccoons  catch  fish,  and  they  feed 
upon  mice,  frogs,  young  birds,  birds'  eggs,  crayfish 
mollusks,  turtles  and  their  eggs.  They  capture  large- 
sized  insects;  nuts,  fruits  and  poultry  are  dainty  mor- 
sels for  these  animals  which  are  more  destructive  to 
corn  than  any  other  of  the  farmer's  possessions. 

THE   OTTER. 

This  wary  and  valuable  fur-bearing  animal,  so  de- 
structive to  fish,  is  found  about  stl'eams  and  lakes  in 
nearly  every  section  of  the  State,  but  it  is  nowhere 
abundant  and  may,  not  improperly,  be  classed  among 
the  species  termed  rare.  Individuals  of  this  species 
are,  of  course,  much  oftener  found  about  streams  and 
lakes  or  old  splash  dams  in  the  mountains  and  sparse- 
ly-settled districts  than  elsewhere  in  Pennsylvania. 
Two  01-  three  years  ago  two  were  captured  along  the 
Brandywine  Creek,  near  Chadd's  Fo-rd,  Delaware 
county. 

The  Otter  loves  Brook  Trout  and  he  delights  to  make 
his  home  in  localities  whei*e  this  toothsome  food  is 
plentiful  and  readily  obtained  without  continued  in- 
terference on  the  part  of  man,  his  most  deadly  foe. 

THE    VIRGINIA    DEER. 

The  Virginia  Deer  is  found  in  a  wild  state  in  many 
regions  of  Pennsylvania. 

Tn  the  counties  of  Clearfield.  Potter,  Pike.  Elk.  Clin 
ton,  Fulton,  Franklin.  Adams,  Tioga  and  Tluntingdon. 
the  species  is  said  to  ho  of  frccpieut  occurrence.     In 


510 

1890,  records  show  tlial  119  of  tliese  animals  were 
killed  ill  Pike  county;  about  1892  or  '9li  over  sixty  were 
captured  in  the  Diamond  Valley  (Huntingdon  county). 
Mr.  Khoads  says,  quoting  Mr.  Seth  Nelson: 

"In  the  period  between  1861  and  1865  the  deer  became  so 
numerous  in  that  county  (Clinton)  that  they  generally  damaged 
the  crops,  and  snaring  was  employed  to  diminish  their  num- 
bers. In  contrast  with  this  there  were  killed  in  1895,  in  his 
vicinity,  all  told,  only  ten  deer,  and  most  of  these  out  of  season, 
by  wild  hounds  or  pot  hunters.  The  chief  agencies  in  the 
extermination  of  deer  are  forest  fires  and  wandering  dogs,  both 
of  which  pursue  their  relentless  course  during  the  entire  year, 
the  latter  being  ten  times  as  destructive  as  the  Gray  Wolf  ever 
was." 

WITH  PROPER  STATE  AID  DEER  WILL  INCREASE. 

If  the  lawmakers  of  Pennsylvania  will  enact  proper 
measures  which  will  enable  county  officers  under  the 
direction  of  the  State  Forestry  Commissioner  to  keep 
in  check  the  disastrous  forest  fires,  game  of  all  kindh 
should  increase  rapidly,  now  that  we  have  such  a  good 
law  for  the  protection  of  birds  and  mammals. 

If  the  Pennsylvania  Board  of  Game  Commissioners 
receives,  as  it  should,  from  the  Commonwealth,  money 
to  fairly  compensate  Game  Wardens  to  enforce  the 
new  law  of  1897,  it  will  not  be  long  before  the  Virginia 
Deer,  and  other  kinds  of  game  will  be  much  more  plen- 
tiful. The  days  of  the  professional  market  hunter 
were  numbered  in  this  State  when  the  Harris  Game 
bill  became  a  law  June  4th,  1897. 

THE  BLACK  BEAR. 

This  animal  is  found  in  nearly  every  county  where 
the  Virginia  Deer  O'Ccurs  with  any  degree  of  regularity. 
In  some  sections  of  Pennsylvania,  particularly  large 
ar-t^as  of  land  from  which  the  timber  has  been  cut  ami 


511 

brash  has  j^rown  up,  there  seems  to  be  no  doubt  iu  the 
iiiiuds  of  exi)eiienced  woodsmen  that  Bears  have  be- 
come murh  more  numerous  than  tliey  were  fifteen  or 
twenty  jears  ago.  Fur  dealers  chiim  that  about  ]">() 
Bears'  skins  are  annually  shipped  to  the  markets 
from  Pennsylvania. 

Tlio  Bear  is  omnivorous.  Dr.  Merriam  referring  to 
his  food  says: 

"His  larder  consists  not  only  of  mice  and  other  small  mam- 
mals, turtles,  frogs,  and  fish;  but  also,  and  largely,  of  ants  and 
their  eggs,  bees  and  their  honey,  cherries,  blackberries,  rasp- 
berries, blueberries,  and  various  other  fruits,  vegetables  and 
roots.  He  sometimes  makes  devasting  raids  upon  the  barn- 
yard, slaying  and  devouring  sheep,  calves,  pigs  and  poultry. 
In  confinement  he  shares  with  the  inmates  of  the  hog-pen 
whatever  is  left  from  his  master's  table." 


In  addition  to  the  several  species  and  subspecies 
(local  or  geographical  races)  of  mammals  referred  to 
on  preceding  pages  there  are  in  Pennsylvania  the  fol- 
lowing, of  which  but  brief  mention  will  be  made: 

Two  species  of  Weasels,  two  kinds  of  Minks,  eight  or 
nine  varieties  of  soft-furred  Moles  and  Shrews,  concern- 
ing the  economic  relations  of  which  so  many  diverse 
opinions  are  entertained  by  farmers  and  sportsmen; 
and  at  least  a  half  dozen  species  of  insect-destroying 
Bats. 

THE  BAT'S  WINTER  HOME. 

Bals.  like  some  other  of  our  mammals,  spend  the 
winter  months  in  retirement.  In  Centre  county  there 
is  a  cave  about  fourteen  hundred  feet  long,  containing 
numerous  large  chambers  and  showy  stalactites  and 
stalagmites.  This  immense  cavern,  penetrating  the 
whole  length  of  a  small  mountain  range,  has  the  floor 


512 

covered  witli  v.atei'  .several  feet  deej).  To  explore  it 
one  must  go  in  a  boat  and  take  a  ij,uide,  bolli  of  wliicli 
are  alwa3s  obtainable.  The  boat's  bow  is  furnished 
witli  a  large  light,  othei'wise  it  ^Yould  be  impossible  to 
see  anything  in  the  Stygian  darkness  that  invades 
every  nook  and  corner  of  this  weird  opening  that 
penetrates  the  bowels  of  mother  earth.  This  place, 
called  Peiai's  Cave,  is  the  soui-ce  of  Penn's  creek.  The 
stream,  with  its  several  feeders,  is  noted  for  the 
abundance  and  excellence  of  speckled  beauties  (trout) 
they  contain.  Few  sections  of  the  State  afford  better 
Ruffed  Grouse  shoo'ting  than  is  to  be  found  in  the 
mountains  around  these  cool,  healthful  and  rapidly- 
flowing  streams.  Penn's  Cave — a  modest,  old-fashion- 
ed summer  resort — can  be  reached  by  a  branch  of  tlie 
Northern  Central  Railroad,  which  extends  from  Mon- 
tandon  to  Pellefonte.  In  the  winter  season  the  cave  is 
the  harboring  place  of  thousands  of  Bats  which  con- 
gregate in  great  masses  on  the  limestone  rocks  where 
they  escape  the  piercing  winter's  cold,  and  remain  in 
quiet,  hani:ony  and  contentment,  unless  their  hiding 
place  is  ii.A^aded  by  human  beings,  when  they  crawl 
over  one  another  or  fly  aimlessly  about  the  boat  and 
its  occupants,  uttering  all  the  while,  in  their  squeaking 
way,  tlie  mc-st  violent  protests  at  being  aroused  from 
their  winter's  nap. 

Bats  are  beneficial.  They  destroy  great  numbers  of 
insects — particularly  flying  species.  They  do  not  dis- 
turb the  young  of  birds  nor  do  they  destroy  yo'ung 
chickens  as  some  persons  suppose  they  do. 

THE    OPOSSUM. 

We  have  a  single  species  of  the  Opossum — the  only 
marsupial  in  the  State — and  of  this  animal's  breeding 


513 

habits  some  highly  erroneous  ideas  are  prevalent.  The 
Opossum  is  abundant  in  the  South,  where  it  is  greatly 
esteemed  for  table  use.  The  long  shaggy  coat  of  the 
Opossum  is  considerably  used  by  furriers  in  the  manu- 
facture of  different  articles  of  wearing  apparel.  This 
animal  subsists  on  both  animal  and  vegetable  food. 

THE    PORCUPINE. 

The  Porcupine  whose  head,  back,  and  tail  are  abund 
antly  furnished  with  hard  spines,  hidden  in  a  thick 
coat  of  fur  jnid  straiiLily  long  hairs,  is  still  to  bo  fre- 
quently found  in  the  hemlock  forests  of  the  mountain- 
ous regions.  This  animal,  some  believe,  seems  to  have 
been  made  for  one  purpose  and  that  is  to  add  misery 
to  the  lives  of  hunters,  who  take  dogs  in  hemlock 
districts  where  this  dark-coated  and  yellow-toothed 
animal  goes,  so  that  he  can  visit,  in  the  still  night 
hours,  lumber  camps  for  salty  food,  or  browse  on  the 
tender  evergreen  boughs.  The  Porcupine  does  not, 
when  defending  himself,  discharge  his  spines  or  quills 
as  some  people  say  he  does. 

THE    MUSKRAT. 

The  Muskrat  is  common  and  generally  dispersed 
throughout  the  Commonwealth.  Many  thousands  of 
these  animals  are  every  year  killed  along  water 
courses;  and  mill  ponds.  Their  fur.  which  is  marketed 
at  a  low  price — at  least  in  a  raw  state — is  made  into 
different  articles  of  wearing  apparel  and  sold  under 
various  names.  This  amphibious  rat  eats  the  farmer's 
corn,  if  a  field  with  this  growing  cereal  is  near  the 
stream  or  pond  which  he  and  his  relatiws  inhabit:  he 
also  feeds  on  mussels  and  fish.     Several  persons  have 

3.'?  n 


nit 

informed  me  he  will  tatoii  dui'Uling.s  of  wild  and  do- 
mesticated kinds. 

THK  CHIPMUNK  OH  GHOUxND  HACKEY. 

The  comnion  ev(i',v-da.v  Chipmunlv,  which,  in  our 
happy  boyliood  days  we  chased  along  the  fences  and 
into  his  subteiraueau  \un\\e  under  shelving  rocks, 
moss-covered  stumps,  and  stately  forest  trees,  has  been 
carefully  studied  by  naturalists  who  have  found  an- 
other Chipmunk  which  is  denominated  lysferi  to  dis- 
tinguish it  from  the  typical  slriaius  that  occurs  so 
plentifully  in  the  southern  half  of  Pennsylvania,  while 
on  the  other  hand  the  Canadian  form  {lysteri)  is  sup- 
posed to  be  present  in  our  northern  counties.  Chip- 
munks feed  largely  on  mast;  they  sometimes  steal  the 
farmer's  corn,  but  to  compensate  such  injury  they  prey 
on  army  worms  and  sometimes  catch  yellow  butter- 
flies. 

RATS    GALORE. 

Rats,  at  least  some  kinds,  are  plentiful  and  most 
vexatious.  They  eat  a  great  amount  of  young  poultry 
and  eggs;  also  devour  grain  and  are  a  nuisance  gen- 
erally. Oftentimes  when  the  hen  coop  is  raided  the 
Skunks,  Raccoon,  0])os8nm  or  little  agile  Weasel  are 
made  to  pay  the  penalty  with  their  lives  for  the  loss 
sustained  by  the  angi-y  ownei'.  who  blames  them  for  the 
thieving  act  of  the  cunning  Norway  Rat,  which  is  alike 
abundant  in  coal  and  ii'ou  mines,  about  farm  b\)il(lings 
and  in  the  large  cities.  A  black  coated  rat  is  of  fre- 
qu(Mi[  occnii(Mice  in  thc^  neighborhood  of  Scianton: 
perhaps  it  is  the  Black  Rat  (Mus  rattua)  an  introduced 
species. 


ALONG  THE  JUNIATA. 


515 


THE   CAY  10   RAT. 

There  resides  iu  some  of  our  mouutainous  sectious  a 
large  liairj-tailed  and  long  whiskered  animal  called 
the  Allegheny  Cave  Rat  {Neotoma  maf/lsfer)  Of  the 
habits  of  this  mammal  I  know  nothing  from  personal 
observation.  I  have,  however,  seen  the  species  in 
Juniata,  llnntiiigdon,  Clinton  ajid  Centre  counties. 
Woodsmen  say  this  rat  will  catch  young  chickens  and 
suck  eggs;  that  it  is  fond  of  wild  birds  as  well  as  their 
eggs,  and  like  other  rats  will  eat  grains  or  other  vege- 
table materials. 

THE    FLYING   SQUIRREL. 

This  little  animal  is  common  and  occurs  generally 
throughout  Pennsylvania.  It  usually  lives  in  the 
woods,  but  sometimes  will  take  up  its  abode  in  lofts 
of  farm  houses  or  hide  under  a  roof,  back  of  plaster, 
and  from  some  convenient  opening  come  out  to  steal 
chestnuts,  shellbarks,  hazle  nuts,  etc.,  which  the  school 
children  have  stored  away  to  eat  during  the  long,  cold 
winter  nights. 

SKUNKS. 

In  the  common  nomenclature  of  naturalists  there 
are  two  forms  of  Skunks  in  Pennsylvania.  They  are 
designated  by  the  names  Canadian  Skunk  and  Caro- 
linian Skunk.  Tliese  animals  ])rowl  about  in  the 
night  to  do  good,  but  sometimes  they  find  hens'  nests, 
and  the  riper  the  eggs  are,  the  better,  it  is  said, 
they  are  to  the  palate  of  the  Skunk.  In  their  noc- 
turnal wanderings  they  frequently  get  into  trouble  in 
various  ways,  and  often  cause  great  inconvenience  to 
persons  who  have  business  or  love  matters  w  InVh  com- 


51« 

pel  them  to  travel  after  daylight  in  vehicles    iloiig 
public  highways. 

THE  MOST  USEFUL  MAMMALS. 

Farmers  and  sportsmen,  in  fact  people  in  general, 
speak  ill  of  Skunks,  and  alihougli  they  are  probably  the 
most  useful  of  all  our  mammals  in  destroying  nuxiouis 
insects  and  troublesome  mice,  farmers  and  horticul- 
turists will  c^nouurage  their  destruction. 

Skunks  are  easily  domesticated  and  become  as  gentle 
as  kittens,  and  they  can,  a  writer  affirms,  be  handled 
Avitli  impunity  if  care  is  taken  to  use  the  tail  as  a 
handle. 

Skunks  are  prolific  animals,  and  they  are  abundant 
in  this  Commonwealth  where  many  thousands  are 
every  year  captured  and  their  pelts  shipped  mostly  to 
Kew  York  and  Philadelphia  markets. 

THEY  DO   GOOD   SERVICE. 

Notwithstanding  the  untold  services  which  these 
animals  do  in  the  farming  districts,  farmers  as  a  rule 
allow  hunters  and  trappers  to  employ  all  devices  which 
their  ingenuity  can  invent  to  slay  these  four-footed 
l)rotector,s  of  cultivated  ci'0])S.  Strange,  is  it  not,  how 
prejudice  and  ignorance,  like  love  and  confidence 
wrongfully  placed,  will  often  lead  one  to  do  that  which 
sooner  or  later  does  him  serious  injury? 

It  would  be  a  wise  expenditure  of  public  money  if 
the  State  oflScials  who  have  full  power  would  direct 
subordinates  who  are  entirely  competent  to  do  such 
work  to  prepare  and  have  published  for  the  Avidest 
possible  circulation  to  school  children  and  farmers, 
books  and  bulletins  which  would   fully  explain  the 


517 

birds,  mammals,  iusecta,  trees  and  plants  and  the  value 
which  most  of  them  are  to  the  human  race. 

JSuch  pnblieatiC'US).  if  properly  illustrated,  would  be 
of  far  more  service  to  the  people  at  large  throughout 
the  Commonwealth  than  the  cumbersome  and  tardy 
Legislative  Kecord,  and  certain  other  documents 
which  so  often  find  Iheir  way  to  the  junk  shop. 

LET    THE    MILLIONAIRE    HELP    THE    POOK. 

Generally,  however,  when  eliorts  are  made  lo  pro- 
vide for  such  really  useful  publications,  which  will 
be  of  great  worth  to  the  poorer  classes,  and  which 
would  be  paid  for  largely  by  corporations  and  in- 
dividual taxpayers  of  large  holdings,  some  wise  (?) 
fellow  conies  forward  and  cries  ''economy,''  "job,''  etc. 
I  have  known  individuals  to  raise  such  protests,  and 
having  been  in  a  position  to  know  something  of  their 
official  acts  and  broken  political  contracts,  it  occurred 
to  me  that  their  utterances,  made  most  guardedly  and 
by  insinuation  under,  often,  the  mask  of  hypoci'itical 
friendship,  were  given  birth  to  hide  their  own  ques- 
tionable methods,  even  if  it  did  injury  to  others  who 
endeavored  to  be  honest  and  when  placed  in  official 
I)laces  faithfully  tried,  to  the  best  of  Iheii-  ;ibilil\.  I;i 
give  to  the  public  printed  matter  in  an  attractive  and 
useful  form. 

THE  WOODCHUCK. 

This  bothersome  animal,  which  is  known  to  many 
as  the  Ground  Hog,  is  common  and  of  wide  distribu- 
tion throughout  the  State. 

WHAT  A  PPACTICAL  FARMER  WROTE. 

My  good  old  friend,  the  late  A.  C.  Sisson,  of  La 
Plume,  Pa.,  about  two  years  ago,  and  but  a  few  days 


618 

before  his  sudden  death,  which  was  lameated  by  all 
who  were  acquainted  with  this  true  christian  and 
honest  gentleman,  wrote  as  follows: 

"The  Ground  Hog,  or  Woowchuck,  is  fast  bccuming  one  of 
the  farmer's  and  gardner's  most  destructive  enemies.  I  would 
most  earnestly  recommend  legislative  aid  in  suppressing  this 
intolerable  nuisance.  There  should  be  a  bounty  of  at  least 
twenty-five  cents  upon  every  one  killed.  I  have  looked  in  vain 
for  some  one  redeeming  trait  in  this  sneaking,  groveling  curse 
to  the  agriculture  of  our  State.  He  is  a  gross  feeder,  devour- 
ing nearly  as  much  clover  as  a  full  grown  sheep;  he  eats  to 
g-ive  him  strength  to  dig  holes,  and  then  he  digs  holes  to  give 
him  an  appetite  for  more  clover.  Ho  takes  supreme  delight  in 
tearing  the  bark  from  young  fruit  trees,  and  will  wipe  out 
entirely  a  good  sized  bean  patch  in  a  day,  and  will  make 
truck  gardening  impossible  in  many  localities,  and  his  sub- 
terraneous excavations  make  it  dangerous  to  drive  teams  over 
our  fields.  It  is  said  that  he  hibernates  in  the  winter  and 
ceases  for  a  time  to  follow  his  damaging  occupation,  but  it 
would  seem  that  he  simply  retires  when  he  can  spend  the 
long  winter  months  in  making  diagrams  for  new  and  more 
extended  operations  for  the  coming  season.  Whether  or  not 
he  could  be  domesticated  and  educated  so  as  to  be  utilized 
in  promoting  sub-irrigation  and  laying  drain  tile,  is  an  unex- 
plored field  for  scientific  investigation." 

THEY  ARE  GOOD  FOR  FOOD. 

The  succulent  vegetable  diet  of  the  burrowing 
Woodchuck  makes  his  flesh,  particularly  when  he  is 
young,  a  most  toothsome  article  of  food  for  man,  con- 
sequently this  species  is  much  sought  after  by  many 
for  the  table.  The  thick  and  strong  hide  when  prop- 
erly cured  is  used,  I  am  informed,  in  some  sections  to 
make  shoes  which  are  said  to  be  particularly  durable. 
Sulphur  fumes,  gun  powder,  or  dynamite  when  ignited 
and  placed  in  the  Woodchurk's  uudcriironud  retreats, 
speedily  destroy  him;  and  a  rifle  in  skillful  hands  will 
soon  enable  the  farmer  to  rid  himself  of  these  annoy- 
\]\<X  animals. 


519 


THE    MICE. 

Last,  and  amoug  the  least,  so  far  as  their  physical 
developiueut  is  concerned,  we  have  the  Mice,  which 
in  species,  number  nine,  and  this  number  will  likely 
be  aujiiuented  wlien  more  cari.-tiil  invest igat ions  arc 
made.  While  these  mammals,  so  far  as  size  is  con- 
cerned, are  insignificant  to  look  upon,  they,  or  at 
least,  certain  species — notably  those  termed  Meadow 
and  Field  Mice — are  of  ijreat  economic  impoitance.  In 
districts  where  these  little  rodents  abound  they  do 
;;i('aL  (hima.ue  jiud  cjiiise  thousands  and  Ihousands 
of  dollars  loss  nnnnally  in  the  agricultural  com- 
munities. AVhen  tlie  farmer  is  at  rest  in  the  niglit 
time  these  spiightly,  sleek-coat(^  little  robbers  be 
come  most  active  and  prey  upon  the  results  of  the 
husbandman's  care  and  labor-. 

The  common  House  ^Fousc.  an  exotic,  is  omnivorous; 
it  has  been  known  to  kill  cage  birds  and  ycuing  chick- 
ens. The  White-footed  Mouse  likes  honey  and  he  also, 
it  is  said,  hais  been  known  to  attack  chickims  but  a  few 
days  old.  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merrinm.  writing  of  the  White- 
foot  ^fouso,  says: 

■•It  is  f.Jiid  of  fle.sh,  aid,  likf'  tho  Fl>  iiii;-  Sfiuiii.'l.  easeily  ,h'- 
vouis  dead  birds  placed  in  it.s  way.  Indeed,  this  is  done  so 
naturally,  that  the  susjiicion  arises  as  to  whether  it  does  not 
sometimes  capture  and  prey  ui)i->ii  the  smaller  birds  on  their 
roosts  at  night." 

MICE,    HAWKS    AND    OWLS. 

The  thoughtful  person  says:  Why  is  it  that  these 
nimble  four-footed  pests  which  inhabit  the  meadow 
and  grass  fields  have  increased  so  rapidly  within  the 
last  few  years?  The  answei  is:  In  the  first  place 
they  are  hardy  and  exceediugly  prolific;  then  popular 


520 

prejudice  and  widespread  iguoiaiice  Ihi-ougiiuut 
Pennsylvania,  a  few  years  ago,  prompted  the  lawmak- 
ers to  pass  a  measure  vvliich  allowed  bounties  to  be 
paid  for  all  kinds  of  Hawks  and  Owls  as  well  as  some 
other  animals.  These  birds,  with  few  exceptions, 
and  some  of  the  mammals,  also,  which  were  included 
in  the  bounty  law,  lived  almost  wholly  on  Meadow 
Mice.  These  birds  of  prey  and  their  copartners,  or 
the  mice-destroying  mammals,  had  voracious  appetites, 
and  being  numerous  in  agricultural  districts,  tliey  read- 
ily kept  the  Mice  in  check. 

The  stimulus  which  Scalp  Acts  gave  hunters  to 
slay,  seemingly  without  any  consideration,  nearly  all 
kinds  of  wild  birds  and  mammals  they  found,  re- 
sulted in  the  killing  of  many  thousands  of  animals 
whose  dietary  consisted  almo-st  entirely  of  destructive 
Mice.  Hawks  and  Owls,  which  are  foremost  among 
Nature's  natural  agencies  to  aid  man  iu  combating 
the  voles  or  Meadow  Mice,  are  not  prolific  like  many 
others  of  the  feathered  kind. 

The  cruel  warfare  so  relentlessly  v^^aged  for  many 
years,  with  Legislative  aid,  against  these  faithful 
guardians  of  the  farmer's  crops,  is  now  being  most 
dearly  paid  for  by  the  loss  annually  of  thousands  of 
dollars  through  ravages  of  the  rapidly  increasinc 
army  of  well  fed,  sleek  Meadow  or  Field  Mice. 

FISHES. 

One  hundred  and  fifty  kinds  of  fishes,  it  is  said,  are 
found  in  the  waters  (Lake  Erie  included)  of  Pennsyl- 
vania.    Many  of  these  are  highly  valuable  for  food. 

The    Susquehanna    river    al    different    points,    fur- 


521 

nishes  excellent  sport  to  anglers  who  desire  to  catch 
bass,  perch,  salmon  and  other  varieties  of  the  finny 
inhabitants. 

Brook  Trout,  which  sometimes  will  eat  Mice,  are 
abundant  in  many  of  the  cool  mountain  streams,  and  in 
the  winter  season,  when  the  numerous  lakes  in  north- 
eastern Pennsylvania  are  frozen  over,  fishing  with  the 
"tip-up"  for  pickerel,  through  holes  made  in  the  ice,  is 
a  favorite  diversion  with  many  persons.  Certain  spe- 
cies of  fish  catch  ducks  and  sometimes  other  feathered 
animals,  but  the  damage  they  do  in  this  direction  is  not 
very  great. 


;U*   II 


522 


Section  1, 


EASTERN  PENNSYLVANIA,  NEW  JERSEY,  AND 

THE  DELAWARE  AND  VIRGINIA 

PENINSULA. 


Principal  Kinds  of  Game. 

MAMiMALS: 

Ral)l)its,  Squirrels,  Raccoons,  Foxes,  Peer. 

BIRDS: 

Quail,  Ducks,  IMiea.sants,  Reed  Kiids,  Snipe,  Rail  Birds,   Wood- 
co<  k.  Geese,  Doves,  Plover,  Marsh  Hens. 

Principal  Kinds  of  Fish. 
sal,t  water: 

Sheepsiiead,  Bass,  Weakfish,  Drum,  Porgy,  Blue  Fish,  F^lountier, 
Black  Fish. 

FRESH  WATER: 
Bass,   I'ert'ii,   I'ikc,  Trout,  Carp,  Catfisli,  Rock  Fish,  Sun  Fish. 

RABBITS. 

Rabbits  seem  to  be  the  most  geiierullv  disli-ibuied 
mammalian  i;ame  to  be  found  in  the  territory 
reached  by  the  reiinsylvania  Raih'oad,  Tliey  are 
most  plentiful  in  the  Eastern  agricultural  districts, 
in  the  lowlands  and  meadows  along  the  Atlantic 
(^oast,  and  in  that  long  stretch  of  timber  land  com- 
monly called  "barrens,''  extending  through  New  Jer- 
sey from  the  vicinity  of  Raritan  Bay  southward  to 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Maurice  river.  The  best  lo 
calities  for  hunting  this  kind  of  game  are  near  Wood- 


523 

bine,  Cape  May  county,  New  Jersey,  on  the  Cape 
May  Division  of  the  West  Jersey  and  Seashore  Rail- 
road, and  in  the  forests  near  Atco  and  Winslow  Junc- 
tion, Camden  county.  New  Jersey,  on  the  Atlantic 
City  Division.  Good  hunting  is  also  reported  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Spotswoc-d,  Middlesex  county.  New 
Jersey,  on  the  Aniboy  Division;  also  around  Island 
Heights  in  Ocean  county.  All  of  these  towns  furnish 
good  hotel  accommodations,  and  with  the  exception  of 
Atco  and  Island  Heights  no  guides  are  needed;  at  the 
latter  points  guides  are  preferable  and  can  be  se- 
cured. Rabbits  are  also  reported  plentiful  in  the 
vicinity  of  Lewes  and  Rehoboth,  Sussex  county.  Dela- 
ware, on  the  Delaware  Division  of  the  Philadelphia, 
Wilmington  &  Baltimore  Raih'oad.  Ample  hotel 
accommodations  are  afforded,  and  no  guides  are 
needed. 

SQUIRRELS. 

Squirrelij,  like  Rabbits,  are  found  throughout  the 
eastern  section  of  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey  and 
Delaware.  They  are  less  plentiful,  however,  in  this 
territory,  owing  to  the  absence  of  large  forest  trees. 
They  are,  perhaps,  most  numerous  in  the  vicinity  of 
Spotswood,  Middlesex  county,  New  Jersey,  and  along 
the  Millstone  river  in  Somerset  county.  New  Jersey. 
The  first  point  is  reached  via  the  Amboy  Division, 
and  the  latter  via  the  New  York  Division  to  East  Mill- 
stone or  Rocky  Hill.  The  best  Squirrel  hunting,  how- 
ever, is  probably  found  in  the  Allegheny  Mountains. 

RACCOONS. 

Raccoons  seem  to  have  become  (juite  scarce.  A  few 
may  still  be  found  along  the  Millstone  river  in  Somer- 
set county.  New  Jersey,   reached  via  the  New   York 


524 

Division  to  East  Millstone  or  Rocky  Hill;  also  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Winslow  Junction,  Camden  county, 
New  Jersey,  on  the  Atlantic  City  Division  of  the  West 
Jersey  and  Seashore.  They  are  also  reported  in  fair 
numbers  in  the  vicinity  of  Milford,  Kent  county,  Dela- 
ware, on  the  Delaware  Division  of  the  Philadelphia, 
Wilmington  &  Baltimore  Railroad.  Guides  are  un- 
necessary, and  any  of  the  towns  named  furnish  good 
hotel  accommodations. 

FOXES. 

Foxes  are  reported  very  scarce  in  the  eastern  district 
A  few  are  still  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Hammonton  and 
Egg  Harbor,  Atlantic  county,  New  Jersey,  on  the  At- 
lantic City  Division  of  the  West  Jersey  and  Seashore 
Railroad.  Better  fox  hunting,  however,  is  found 
among  the  Alleghenies. 

DEER. 

At  two  points  only  in  the  eastern  sectiou  are  deer 
reported.  In  the  wooded  districts  lying  between  Egg 
Harbor,  Atlantic  county*,  and  Vineland,  Cumberland 
county,  New  Jersej",  deer  hunting  is  said  to  be  still 
quite  good.  Vineland  is  reached  via  the  Cape  May 
Division  of  the  West  Jersey  and  Seashore,  Egg 
Harbor  via  the  Atlantic  City  Division.  Guides  are 
considered  necessary  and  can  be  secured  at  either  of 
the  above-named  points.  These  towns  nlso  afford 
good  hole]  acco.mmn(l;itious. 

BIRDS. 

QTTAIL. 

<2uail  are  reported  most  plentiful  around Spotswood, 
Middlesex  county;  Port  Norris,  Cumberland  county; 


Tsland  Heights,  Ocean  couuty,  New  Jersey;  and 
Lewes  and  Rehoboth,  Sussex  county,  Delaware.  Good 
gunning  is  also  found  around  AUoway,  Quinton, 
Bridgeton,  Cape  May,  liio  Grande,  Ocean  View, 
Woodbine,  Helleplaiu,  JManahawken,  Atco,  Hamraon 
Ion  and  Wcnoah,  New  .Jersey;  Milford,  Seaford.  Kirk- 
w<>c<l,  Clayton  and  Smyrna,  Delaware;  ('rntreville, 
Ht)pewell,  Ridgley,Trappe,Marydel,Hursleyand  Berlin, 
(Maryland;  Tottstown,  Spring  City,  liirdsboro  and 
Auburn,  Pennsylvania.  Guides  are  not  usually . 
needed,  but  can  be  secured  where  necessary.  Good 
hotel  accommodations  are  afforded  at  all  of  the  above 
points,  except  Rio  Grande,  New  Jersey. 

WILD   DUCKS.. 

The  Chesapeake  Bay  is  the  home  of  wild  ducks,  and 
the  shores  of  the  Peninsula  are  their  feeding  grounds. 
Along  the  bays  and  estuaries  of  the  eastern  shore 
especially  they  may  be  seen  in  almC'St  any  number 
during  certain  seasons  of  the  year.  Cape  Charles  and 
vicinity  is  probably  one  of  the  best  places  in  the  coun- 
try for  wild  duck  gunning.  Excellent  shooting  may 
also  be  had  in  Hog  Island  Bay,  Pocomoke  and  Tangier 
So'unds,  on  Cobb's  Island,  and  in  the  vicinity"  of 
Keller  and  Exmore.  They  are  also  reported  plentiful 
in  Chinco  Bay  near  Hursley;  in  the  rivers  near  Easton, 
and  on  the  Blackwater  marshes.  Hooper's  Island,  and 
Fat  Bay  near  Cambridge,  Maryland.  In  fact,  good  duck 
shooting  may  be  found  at  almost  any  point  on  the 
Eastern  shore  of  the  Chesapeake  and  on  the  Atlantic 
side  of  the  Peninsula;  the  further  south  probably  the 
better.  Guides  are  generally  necessary,  and  they  can 
be  secured  at  almost  any  ])oint  on  the  Peninsula; 
previous  notice  may  sometimes  be  necessary.     Good 


5'2f; 

liotel  ac'commodalions     aro    alTorded     at     the     larger 
towns. 

PHEASANTS. 

Pheasants  are  most  plentiful  in  the  Jersey  "barrens" 
around  Jirowu's  Mills  Junction,  Woodbine,  Rio 
(Jraudc,  Helleplain,  and  Hainmonton ;  also  around 
Quinton,  Alloway,  Bridgetou,  Manaliawkeu  and  Rocky 
Hill.  Fair  gunning  is  also  reported  on  Welsh  Moun- 
tains near  Dowingtown.  (iuides  are  not  necessary 
and  good  hotel  accommodations  are  afforded  with  the 
exception  of  Rio  Grande. 

REED    BIRDS. 

Reed  birds  are  very  plentiful  in  their  season  along 
the  Lower  Delaware,  the  Delaware  Bay,  and  the  larger 
tributaries.  They  are  reported  most  plentiful  near 
Linwood,  Pennsylvania,  Swedesboro,  Burlington, 
Quinton,  Salem,  Bridgeton,  and  Port  Elizabeth,  New 
Jersey.  Guides  are  sometimes  needed  and  can  be 
secured.  All  of  the  above  points  afford  good  hotel 
accommodations. 

SNIPE. 

Snipe  are  found  in  greatest  numbers  in  the  marshes 
and  on  the  river  shores  near  the  coast.  They  are  re- 
ported particularly  plentiful  along  the  Rehoboth  Bay, 
Rehoboth;  along  the  Indian  river  and  Beach  near 
Frankford,  and  along  the  Delaware  &  Chesapeake 
canal  near  Delaware  City,  Delaware.  Good  shooting 
is  also  reported  in  the  marshes  near  Quinton,  Sea  Isle 
City,  and  around  Seaville,  New  Jersey.  Guides  are 
sometimes  desirable  and  can  be  secured.     Good  hotel 


527 

accommodations    :uc    all'onlcd    at    all    of    the    above 
named  towns. 

RAIL    BIRDS. 

Rail  birds  are  most  plentiful  in  the  marshes  alonj; 
the  Dehn^are  bay  and  river  and  their  tributaries. 
They  are  reported  most  abundant  near  Linwood  and 
Croydon,  Pennsylvania;  Wilmington,  Delaware  City, 
and  Seaford,  Delaware;  Port  Elizabeth,  Hridgeton, 
(iuinton,  Salem,  Wenoah  and  Delanco,  New  Jersey. 
Experienced  pushers  and  good  holel  acconiiiuxlations 
can  be  had. 

WOODCOCK. 

Woodcock  are  reported  most  plentiful  around  Belle- 
plain,  Cape  May,  Alloway,  Quinton  and  Atco,  New 
Jersey;  and  ahmg  the  canal  at  Delaware  City,  Dela- 
ware. 

GEESE. 

Wild  Geese  are  most  plentiful  in  IJciiobotli  Bay, 
Indian  River  near  Frankford,  and  Isle  of  Wight  Bav 
near  Selbysville,  Delaware;  in  Chester  River,  Centre- 
ville,  and  near  Hursley  and  Berlin,  Maryland.  Good 
hotel  accommondations  are  afforded,  but  guides  aie 
hardly  needed. 

DOVES. 

Turtle  Doves  are  most  plentiful  in  season  in  the  vi 
cinity  of  Cape  May,  Atco,  Wenonah  and  Martin's 
Creek,  New  Jersey;  and  Seaford  and  Selbyville,  Dela- 
ware. No  guides  are  needed;  good  hotel  accommoda- 
tions. 


PLOVER. 

Good  Plover  shooting  is  found  in  season  near  Molirs 
ville  and  Leesport,  Heriis  county;  Waverly,  New  Jer 
sey,  and  Delaware  City,  Delaware. 

MARSH   HENS. 

Marsh  Hens  or  Mud  Hens  are  reported  most  plenti 
ful  in  the  marshes  near  Angiesea,  Wildwood,  Sea  Isl.' 
City,  and  Pleasantville,  New  Jersey.     Guides  are  pre 
ferable;  good  hotel  accommodations  are  afforded  mi 
all  of  these  towns  except  Pleasantville. 

FISH. 

SALT  WATER  FISHING. 

Excellent  salt  water  fishing  is  found  all  along  the 
Atlantic  Coast  from  Cape  Charles,  at  the  mouth  ot 
the  Chesapeake,  north  to  Asbury  Park  and  Long 
Branch.  The  best  tishing,  possibly,  is  found  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Anglesea  and  Ocean  City,  Cape  May  county, 
Beach  Haven  and  Barnegat,  Ocean  county,  New  Jer- 
sey; Rehoboth,  Lewes,  and  Millsboro,  Sussex  county, 
Delaware;  Ocean  City,  Worcester  county,  Maryland; 
Fi'anklin  City  and  Chincoteague,  Accomac  county, 
and  Cape  Charles,  Northampton  county,  Virginia. 
Also  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Chesapeake  at  Ches- 
tertown,  Oxford,  Cambridge  and  Crisfield.  At  these 
points  almost  any  kind  of  salt  fish  may  be  found  in 
large  numbers.  Sea  Bass  are  perhaps  most  plentiful 
in  the  vicinity  of  Anglesea;  Sheepshead  in  Barnegat 
Bay,  Great  Egg  Harbor  Bay,  and  Corson's  Inlet  near 
Ocean  City,  New  Jersey;  Blue  Fish  in  Barnegat  Bay 
and  Great  Egg  Harbor;  Blackfish  at  Chestertown. 
Kent  county,  Maryland;  Flounders  in  Barnegat  Bay. 


529 

Almost  duy  uf  llie  South  Jersey  seashore  points  may 
be  reached  from  IMiiladelphia  by  lutiruiiig-  traius  in 
time  to  enjoy  a  good  day's  fishing  and  return  again  in 
the  eveninL>. 

FUKSII    WATER    FlSFriNO. 
BASS. 

The  best  lilaclc  Llass  hshing  is  repo-rted  along  the 
Upper  Delawai'e  from  Lambert ville,  New  Jersey, 
northward  to  Hancock,  New  York.  Excellent  fishing 
is  reported  near  Milford,  Riegelsville,  Carpenterville, 
Martin's  Creek,  Manuuka  Chunk,  Delaware  ^\'ater 
Gap,  and  further  up  at  Port  Jer\is,  Narrowsburg,  and 
Cochecton.  Good  fishing  is  also  found  in  the  Brandy- 
wine  near  Wilmington,  and  in  the  Schuylkill  and  its 
larger  tributaries. 

PERCH. 

Probably  the  best  White  Perch  fishing  in  the  United 
States  is  found  near  Betterton,  Kent  county,  Mary- 
land, on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay. 
Good  fishing  is  also  found  in  the  Delaware  river  as 
far  north  as  Milford,  New  Jersey,  and  generuilly  a 
considerable  distance  up  all  the  tributaries  of  that 
stream.  Among  the  streams  on  the  Jersey  side  where 
perch  abound  in  their  season  are  the  Rancocas,  Coop- 
er's, Timber,  Woodbury,  Salem, Cohansey,  and  Alloway 
Creeks,  and  Maurice  river.  The  Neshaminy  and 
Brandy  wine  near  their  mouths  also  abound  with  them. 

PIK-B. 

Pike  fishing  is  reported  good  in  the  tributaries  of 
the  Delaware  river,  as  well  as  the  rivers  and  creeks 

34-11 


530 

of  the  Delaware  Peninsula.  The  Ranoocas,  Cross- 
wick  and  Alloway  creeks  allurd,  perhaps,  the  best 
pike  lishiug. 

TROUT. 

The  best  Brook  Trout  fishing  in  the  eastern  district 
is  undoubted!}'  found  in  Monroe  and  Pike  counties. 
In  the  P>ig  Bushkill,  Saw,  Broadhead's  and  Lacka- 
waxen  creeks  trout  are  quite  plentiful;  also  in  the 
tributaries  of  the  Upper  Delaware.  Henryville, 
Cresco,  and  Canadensis,  Monroe  county,  furnish  good 
headquarters  for  trout  fishermen. 


Carp  are  becoming  quite  plentiful  in  the  tributaries 
of  the  l>ela^^are,  and  good  fishing  may  be  found  in 
Mantua,  Rancocas,  Chester,  Darby,  and  Brandywine 
creeks;  also  in  the  Schuylkill  river  near  Spring  City. 
Carp,  like  some  other  exotic  animals  which  have  been 
brought  to  this  country,  have  become  a  great  nuisance. 
Since  Carp  are  so  numerous  in  many  of  our  streams 
and  ponds  it  is  found  that  they  have,  in  some  places, 
almost  depopulated  the  waters  of  other  kinds  of  very 
desirable  fishes.  Fortunately  the  laws  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, through  the  efforts  of  our  efficient  Board  of  Fish 
Commissioners,  do  not  give  protection  to  the  Carp  at 
any  season  of  the  year. 

CAT    FISH. 

Cat  Fish  are  quite  plentiful  in  all  of  the  streams  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  and  may  be  found  in  any  of 
the  tributaries  of  the  Delaware  river.  They  are  re- 
ported  quite   plentiful   at   Alloway,   Bridgeton,    Port 


531 

Elizabeth,  VVtstville,  Clayton,  Burlington  and  Freucli- 
lowu,  New  Jersey,  and  in  the  Neshaiuiny  creek  near 
Croydon. 

ROCK  FISH. 

Rock  Fish  are  reported  quite  plentiful  near  Mana- 
liawken,  Burlington  and  Delanco,  New  Jersey;  Berlin 
and  Centreville,  Maryland;  and  Milford,  Delaware 
City,  and  Clayton,  Delaware.  Good  hotel  accommo- 
dations can  be  had  at  any  of  these  points. 

SUN    FISH. 

Sun  Fish  are  most  plentiful,  perhaps,  near  Fish 
House  Station,  New  Jersey.  They  are  also  (juite 
numerous  at  Rocky  Hill,  East  Millstone,  Alloway, 
Lumberton,  Florence  and  Burlington,  New  Jersey; 
also  in  the  Schuylkill  river  and  Manatawney  creek 
near  Douglassville,  Berks  county. 


fi»2 


Section  2. 


CENTRAL     PENNSYLVANIA     WEST    OF    THE 

SUSQUEHANNA  lilVER  AND  ITS  TIUBUTA 

KIES,  AND  EAST  OF  THE    SUMMIT 

OF  THE  ALLEGHENIES. 


Pbincipal  Kinds  of  Game. 

MAMMALS: 

Rabbits,  Squirrels,  Deer,  Bears,  Foxes,  Raccoons,  Wildcats. 

BIRDS: 

Pheasants,  t^iiail,  Wild  Turkeys,  Ducks,  Woodcock,  Geese,  Snipe, 
Reed  and  Rail  Birds. 

Pbinoipal  Kinds  of  Fish, 
freshwater: 

Brook  Trout,   Bass,  Carp,  Perch,  Pike,  Salmon,  Rock  Fish,  Sun 
Fish,  Cat  Fish. 

RABBITS. 

Generally  speaking,  rabbits  are  less  plentiful  in  this 
section  than  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey. 
They  are  well  distributed  throughout  the  territory, 
however,  and  good  hunting  may  be  found  in  most  of 
the  river  valleys.  The  best  rabbit  hunting  is  reported 
in  the  vicinity  of  Mt.  Union  and  Huntingdon,  Hunt- 
ingdon county,  and  near  Tipton,  Blair  county;  also  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Cameron,  Cameron  county, 
Johnsonburj;  and  Rathbun,  Elk  County,  on  the  Phila- 
delphia and  Erie  Railroad;  Snow  Shoe,  Centre  county; 
Gap  and  Peach  Bottom,  Lancaster  co-unty,  and  Conn- 


533 

wingo,  Cecil  count}',  Marvlaud.  With  tlie  exception 
of  Snow  Shoe,  Rathbun  and  Johnsonburg,  no  guides 
are  needed;  at  these  three  points  guides  are  consid- 
ered necessary  and  can  be  secured.  With  the  excep- 
tion of  Tipton,  Rathbun  and  Gap,  all  the  above-named 
points  afford  good  hotel  accommodations. 

SQUIRRELS. 

Squirrels  are  more  numerous  in  this  section,  espe- 
cially among  the  Allegheny  mountains.  They  are  re- 
ported most  abundant  at  Jack's  mountain  north  of 
Mt.  Union,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Huntingdon;  also  at 
Snow  Shoe,  Centre  county,  and  at  Johnsonburg,  Elk 
county.  Good  shooting  is  also  found  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Peach  Bottom,  Lancaster  county.  At  Snow 
Shoe  and  Johnsonburg  guides  are  considered  necess- 
ary. Good  hotel  accommodations  can  be  had  at  any  of 
these  points. 

DEER. 

Deer  are  reported  most  plentiful  along  the  line  of 
the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  Railroad  west  of  Lock 
Haven,  and  while  they  are  nowhere  very  num(^rous. 
good  hunting  may  still  be  enjoyed  in  the  vicinity  of 
Snow  Shoe.  Lock  Haven,  and  SinneiTwihoning  (Kar- 
thaus  mountain);  in  the  Diamond  Valley  near  Hunt- 
ingdon; on  Tussey  mountain  near  Sjuuce  Creek,  Hunt- 
ingdon county,  and  also  on  the  Seven  moutains  near 
Reedsville,  MifHin  county,  and  on  Pwitfalo  mountain 
near  Glen  Iron,  r'nion  rounty.  Tlio  best  deer  hunting, 
however,  is  evident! \  fcund  in  that  wild,  mountainous 
region  stretching  westward  from  T>ock  Haven 
through  Clinton,  Centre  and  Clearfield  counties.  Tt 
is  reached  via  the  Philad(>lphia  and  Ei-ie  Railroad  to 


534 

Lock  Haven,  Karthaus  or  Driftwood,  or  via  the  Penn- 
sylvauia  Railroad  and  Jiald  Ea{,de  Valley  Railroad 
to  Snow  Shoe.  Guides  are  generally  considered 
necessary  for  deer  hunting,  and  may  be  secured  at  any 
of  the  above  named  stations.  Good  hotel  accommoda- 
tions can  also  be  had. 

BEARS. 

Bears  are  found  in  various  parts  of  the  Alle- 
gheuies,  along  the  line  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie 
Railroad,  and  in  the.  neighborhood  of  Altoona.  They 
are  reported  most  plentiful  on  Karthaus  mountain  in 
the  vicinity  of  Sinnemahoning;  on  the  mountains 
around  Lock  Haven,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Snow  Shoe. 
A  few  may  also  be  found  near  Rathbun  and  Renovo, 
and  aJso  in  the  Allegheny  mountains  near  Tipton  and 
Altoona,  Blair  county,  and  on  Jack's  mountain  near 
Glen  Iron,  Union  county.  As  in  the  case  of  deer,  the 
best  hunting  grounds  are  evidently  in  Clearfield, 
Centre  and  Clinton  counties,  especially  in  the  aeigh- 
b(.rhood  of  Snow  Shoe.  Guides  are  De.v.-?:5ary,  and 
can  be  secured  at  any  of  the  above  mentioned  points. 
Good  hotel  accommodations  are  also  afforded,  with 
the  exception  of  Tipton  and  Rathbun. 

FOXES. 

Foxes  are  reported  most  plentiful  on  Jack's  moun- 
tain north  of  Mt.  Union;  among  the  hills  and  moun- 
tains around  Bellwood,  Blair  county,  and  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Johnsonburg.  Elk  county.  They  also  ar(? 
found  in  the  vicinity  of  Milesburg,  Centre  county,  and 
around  Montour  Falls.  New  York.  Guides  are  consid- 
ered necessary  at  Belhvood,  and  can  be  secured.  Good 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


535 

hotel  aceonT.niiodations  ciiii  be  had  at  any  of  the  above- 
named  phices. 

RACCOONS. 

Raccoons  are  reported  plentiful  at  Mt.  Union,  Hun- 
tingdon county,  Johnsonburg,  Elk  county,  and  Kenovn, 
Clinton  count}'.  Guides  are  considered  necessary  at 
Johnsonburg,  and  can  be  secured.  Good  hotel  accom- 
modations are  afforded. 

WILD  CATS. 

"Wild  Cats  are  reported  quite  plentiful  around  Jolni- 
sonburg  and  in  the  vicinity  of  St.  Mary's  and  Rathbiin, 
Elk  county.  Guides  are  needed,  and  can  be  secured. 
Good  hotel  accommodations  can  be  had  at  Johnson- 
burg  and  St.  Mary's. 

BIRDS. 

PHEASANTS. 

Pheasants  are  quite  plentiful  throughout  this  sec- 
tion, especially  in  the  valleys  and  on  the  hillsides  at 
the  foot  of  the  Allegheny  mountains.  They  are  re- 
IM»rted  very  plentiful  in  the  neighborhood  of  Bodine, 
Lycoming  county,  on  the  Northern  Central  Railway; 
also  on  Jack's  mountain  north  of  Mt.  UniO'n,  and  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Huntingdon ;  near  Mifflinburg, 
Millmont,  and  Glen  Iron,  Union  county;  near  Coburn. 
Spring  trills,  and  at  Zerby,  Centre  county;  around 
Wojfsburg,  Bedford  connty;  along  the  Susquehanna 
river  at  Farrensville,  Clinton  county:  in  the  vicinity  of 
Rathbun,  Elk  connty.  and  around  Smoke  Run,  Clear- 
field county.  One  of  the  best  localities  I  have  ever 
found  in  Pennsylvania  for  Pheasants  is  at  Loganton, 


53G 

Clinton  county.  To  reach  this  place  you  drive  about 
eighteen  miles  from  Lock  Haven.  Guides  are  not 
usually  needed,  and,  with  the  exception  of  Rathbun, 
good  hotel  accommodations  are  afforded. 

QUAIL. 

Quail  are  less  plentiful  than  in  the  eastern  district. 
The  best  shooting  is  evidently  along  the  Lower  Sus- 
quehanna, in  Lancaster  county,  and  in  Cecil  county, 
Maryland.  They  are  reported  in  good  numbers  near 
Conewago,  Pennsylvania,  and  Rising  Sun  and  Cono- 
wingo,  Maryland.  Quail  shooting  is  also  good  in  the 
vicinity  of  Halifax.  Dauphin  county.  There  is  good 
quail  shooting  in  the  agricultural  districts  of  Snyder 
county  about  Selins  Grove,  likewise  in  Columbia 
county  in  the  valley  in  the  neighborhood  of  Catawissa. 
and  also  in  different  points  in  York  county.  Propertv 
owners.  ho\^ever.  in  many  of  these  places,  object  seri- 
ously to  gunners.  The  best  gunning,  however,  is  evi- 
dently in  New  Jersey. 

AAai.D  TT^RKKYP. 

Wild  Turkeys  are  most  numerous  in  this  district. 
The  best  hunting  ground  seems  to  be  along  Jack's 
mountain  from  Mt.  Union  and  Mill  Creek,  Huntingdon 
county,  northeast  to  the  vicinity  of  Glen  Iron.  Union 
county.  They  are  reported  quite  plentiful  in  tho 
mountains  around  Wolfsburg,  Bedford  county,  and 
along  the  Susquehanna  in  the  vicinity  of  Lock  Haven; 
also  at  Harree,  Huntingdon  county.  Tlu'v  are  quite 
plentiful  in  Juniata  rounty.  Guides  aro  desirable  to 
direct  strangers  to  the  best  loonjitips.  and  they  can  ho 
secured  al  any  of  tlic  above  |il;iccs.  Aniph-  hotel  ac 
commodalions  aie  affoid<'d. 


537 


DUCKS. 

Diuks  of  vaiiu-us  kiuds  are,  of  course,  most  pleutiful 
along  the  Lower  Susquehanna  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
Chesapeake  Bay.  They  are  reported  most  abundant 
at  North  East,  Principio,  Perryville,  Port  Deposit, 
and  Conovvingo,  Cecil  county,  Maryland,  and  near 
Quantico  and  Woodbridge,  Virginia,  on  the  Washing- 
ton Southern  Railway.  They  are  also  (luile  plentiful 
during  certain  seasons  of  the  year  in  Seneca  Lake, 
Lake  Keuka,  and  at  Sodus  Point,  New  York.  Guides 
are  desirable  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay, 
and  they  can  be  secured  at  any  of  the  above  points. 
Good  hotel  accommodations  can  also  be  secured,  ex- 
cept at  Principio  and  Perryville. 

WOODCOCK. 

Woodcock  are  apparently  nowhere  abundant;  but 
the  best  shooting,  possibly,  is  found  in  Maryland  in 
the  vicinity  of  Conowingo,  Cecil  county,  and  Chase 
and  Stemmer's Run, Baltimore  county,  on  the  Maryland 
Division  of  the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Balti- 
more Railroad.  This  kind  of  game  is  also  found  in 
fair  numbers  around  Canton,  Bradford  county,  East 
Bloomsburg,  Columbia  county,  and  along  the  Juniata 
river  near  Altoona.  Guides  are  needed  at  Altoona, 
but  are  not  considered  necessary  at  tke  other  points. 
Gc-od  hotel  accommodations  are  afforded,  except  at 
Stemmer's  Run. 

GEESE. 

Geese  may  be  found  along  the  line  of  the  Philadel 
phia,  Wilmington  &  Baltimore  Railroad  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Perryman,  Hartford  county,  and  Bengies, 


588 

Chase  and  JStemmei's  Huu,  lialtimore  couuly,  Mary 
land,  ou  the  Westeru  shore  of  the  Chesapeake.  Guides 
aie  haidly  needed,  but  they  cau  be  secured  if  desired, 
liengies  and  Stemuier's  Kun  afl'ord   no  hotel  accom- 
modations. 

RAIL   BIRDS.. 

The  Carolina  Kail,  also  named  Sora,  and  often  im- 
properly called  "Ortolan,"  is  very  abundant  on  the  ex- 
tensive marshes  of  the  J'atuxent  in  the  month  of  Sep- 
tember. The  best  places  to  shoot  these  birds,  in  sea- 
son along  this  river,  are  at  Bristol,  and  Nottingham, 
Maryland.  These  i)oints  are  best  reached  by  the 
Pope's  Creek  Branch  of  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac 
Railroad.  At  both  of  these  localities  sportsmen  and 
naturalists  can  find  poultry-destroying  Hawks  and 
other  animals;  good  hotel  accommodations  and  first- 
class  pushers  (boatmen)  at  reasonable  rates  can  be  se 
cured.  In  September,  1897,  fully  fifteen  thousand 
Rails,  besides  large  numbers  of  Reed  Birds,  and  a 
goodly  number  of  wild  ducks  and  snipe  were  shot  on 
the  marshes  around  Bristol.  As  many  as  150  Rails 
were  credited  to  one  boat  in  a  day;  but  the  average 
was  about  fifty  of  these  toothsome  birds  to  a  tide.  To 
reach  liristol  from  Philadeli)hia  go  to  .Marlboro  by  ilic 
cjirs  and  drive  to  the  river;  and  to  visit  Nottingham 
procure  a  ticket  for  Croome  and  take  liorso  and  \vag(»n 
to  the  desired  point.  Arrangements  can  be  made  in 
advance  by  mail  for  pushers,  hotel  accommodations 
and  conveyance  to  and  from  the  railroad  stations.  For 
such  information  address  Wilson  Owens,  Leon  (name 
of  postofTSre  at  Bns(ol),  Md..  oi-  Capt.  .John  MacCnhbin, 
XotMugham.  Md. 


539 


SNIPE. 


A  few  Snipe  may  be  found  along  the  lake  shores 
near  Watkins,  New  York;  also  along  the  Conewago 
creek  near  Conewago,  Lancaster  county ;  on  the  Patux 
ent  river  near  Croonie,  Prince  George  county,  Mary- 
land, and  along  Ramney  creek  near  Perryman,  Har- 
ford county,  Maryland.  In  March  and  April,  or  during 
the  A'emal  migrations  there  is  usually  very  good  Snipe 
shooting  along  the  Patuxent  river,  especially  in  the 
marshes  in  the  neighborhood  of  Bristol,  Md.  It  is 
nothing  unusual  for  a  skillful  marksman  to  make  a 
bag  of  twenty-five  or  thirty  English  or  Wilson's  Snipe 
in  a  day  at  this  place.  You  can  reach  Bristol  by  river 
steamer  from  Baltimore,  but  the  quickest  way  to  get 
there  from  Philadelphia  is  via  the  Pennsylvania  rail- 
road to  Marlboro,  and  then  drive  about  five  miles.  No 
guides  are  necessary  and  good  hotel  accommodations 
can  be  had. 

REED    BIRDS. 

Reed  Birds  are  found  in  good  numbers  along  the 
Patuxent  rivcM-  near  Marlboro,  Croome,  and  Glendale. 
I'rince  George  county,  Alaryland,  and  in  the  marshe.s 
near  Bennings,  I).  C.  Good  boatmen  can  be  secured 
at  very  reasonable  rates,  and  the  hotel  accommoda- 
tions are  good.  During  the  tirst  two  weeks  in  Septem- 
ber Reed  Birds  are  usually  very  abundant  on  the  Pat- 
uxent river  marshes  in  the  neighborhood  of  Marlboro. 
Bristol  and  Croome.  These  places  can  be  i-eached  in 
a  few  hours  ride  from  Philadelphia. 


.'40 
FISH. 

BROOK    TROUT. 

The  best  Ti-out  fishing  is  endently  in  Centre  county, 
and  in  the  vicinity  of  Euipoi-iuni,  Cameioii  county. 
In  Centre  county  the  best  tishing  is  found  in  lUiffalo 
Run  and  Spring  Creek  near  Belief  on  te;  Fishing  Ci*eek, 
Sinking  Citck  and  IN-nn's  Cn'ek.ncar  T'entie  TTall;  and 
(he  Bald  Kaglc  Cieek,  Moshannon  Creek.  Marsh 
Creek  and  Beecli  Creek  in  the  western  i)art  of  the 
county.  All  of  these  points  are  reached  via  the  Bald 
Eagle  N'alley  and  Lewisburg  and  Tyrone  Railroads. 
Bellefonte,  Tyrone,  and  Snow  Shoe  affoM  ample  hotel 
accommodations.  In  Cameron  county  the  best  fish- 
ing is  found  in  the  headwaters  of  Elk  creek  and  Clear 
Creek,  and  in  the  numerous  runs  around  Driftwood 
and  Emporium.  Goc-d  fishing  is  also  reported  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Westport  and  Renovo,  Clinton 
county;  Bathbun,  Elk  county;  Adamsburg  and  BeaA'er- 
town,  Snyder  county,  and  Glen  Iron,  Cherry  Run, 
Union  county;  also  in  Belle  Run  near  Frugality,  Cam 
bria  county,  and  in  Spruce  creek  near  Penns^'lvania 
Furnace.  All  of  these  points  except  Pennsylvania 
Furnace  and  Ratliburn,  furnish  good  hotel  accommoda- 
tions. Guides  are  usually  desirable  to  locate  the 
streams  and  best  fishing  grounds. 

BASS. 

Bass  fishing  is  reported  good  all  along  the  Susque- 
hanna, the  Juniata  and  their  principal  tributaries. 
The  best  fishing,  however,  is  found  in  the  Lower  Sus- 
quehanna from  Columbia  south  to  the  Chesapeake. 
In  fact,  no  better  bass  fishing  can  be  found  in  the 
country   than   at   Port   Deposit,   Octoraro,    Rowlands- 


541 

ville,  and  Oonowingo,  in  Cecil  county,  Maryland;  and 
at  Peach  Bottom,  File's  Eddy,  McOall's  Ferry,  Safe 
Harbor,  and  Washington  Borough,  I^ncaster  county. 
Excellent  bass  fishing  is  also  reported  at  Sinnemahon- 
ing,  Cameron  county,  Glen  Union,  Clinton  county  and 
at  Huntingdon,  and  in  the  Sodus  Bay,  Sodus  Point, 
New  York.  Any  of  these  places  other  than  Glen 
Union,  furnish  good  hotel  accommodations  and  guides 
if  desired. 

CARP. 

Carp  are  reported  most  plentiful  in  the  Susque- 
hanna and  Juniata  rivers.  Good  carp  fishing  can  be 
had  at  Altoona,  Blair  county;  Barree,  Huntingdon 
county;  Mill  Creek  and  Mt.  Union,  Huntingdon 
county;  and  Duncannon,  Perry  county;  at  Rockville, 
Dauphin  county,  and  Bainbridge,  Lancaster  county. 
All  of  these  tOAvns  furnish  good  hotel  accommodations 
and  guides  if  desired.  Guides  are  not  generally  con- 
sidered necessary,  however,  for  this  kind  of  fishing. 

PERCH. 

The  best  perch  fishing  is  found  along  the  Lower 
Susquehanna  and  in  the  inlets  and  bays  along  the 
western  shore  of  the  Chesapeake.  Good  perch  fishing 
is  reported  at  Conowlngo  and  Perryville,  Cecil  county, 
Maryland;  at  Perryraan,  Harford  county,  and  at 
Bengies,  Steinnier's  Run  nnd  Chase.  Baltimore 
county,  Maryland,  on  the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  & 
Baltimore  Railroad.  Good  fishing  is  also  reported  in 
the  Patuxent  river  near  Croome,  Prince  George  county, 
Maryland;  in  the  Potomac  at  Bennings,  D.  C;  in 
Seneca  Lake  at  Watkins,  New  York,  and  in  Sodus 
Bay,  Lake  Ontario.     With  the  exception  of  Perryville. 


542 

Heugies  and  {Slemmei's  Kuii,  good  liolel  accouimoda 
Mous  are  afforded  at  all  of  the  above  points.     Guides 
ai'e  needed  for  iSshing  along  the  Chesapeake,  and  can 
be  seemed  at  such  points. 

PIKE. 

Good  })ike  fishing  is  reported  at  Cherrytree,  Cam- 
bria county;  in  the  mountain  streams  around  Altoona; 
in  Seneca  Lake  at  Watkins,  New  York;  in  the  Sus- 
quehanna river  at  Williamsport  and  East  Bloomsburg, 
and  at  Eainbridge,  Lancaster  county;  also  in  the 
streams  around  Bengies,  Chase  and  Stemmer's  Run, 
Maryland,  on  the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  &  Balti- 
more Railrwid.  Good  hotel  accommodations  can  be 
had  at  all  of  the  above  points  except  Bengies  and 
Stemmer's  Run.  Guides  are  considered  necessary  for 
pike  fishing  and  can  be  secured. 

SALMON. 

Salmon  are  found  almost  exclusively  in  the  Susque- 
hanna and  Juniata  rivers.  They  are  reported  most 
plentiful  in  the  vicinity  of  Middletown,  Dauphin 
county,  although  good  fishing  is  also  found  at  Cono- 
wingo,  Maryland;  McCall's  Ferry,  Safe  Harbor, 
Wrightsville  and  Steelton;  and  as  far  north  as  Glen 
Union,  Clinton  county,  and  Wapwallopen,  Luzerene 
county.  Along  the  Juniata  good  salmon  fishing  is 
found  at  Newport,  Perry  county.  Guides  are  consid- 
ered necessary  for  salmon  fishing,  and  can  be  secured 
at  most  any  of  the  above-named  places.  Good  hotel 
accommodations  are  also  afforded. 

ROCK    FISH. 

The  host  rook  fishing  is  found  along  the  Lower  Sus- 
<inelianna,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Chesapeake  Bay;  at 


543 

Rowlandsville,  Octoraio,  Conowiugo,  Ferrymau,  lieu- 
gies,  Stemnier's  Kiiu,  and  Chase,  Md.,  and  a  I  Puit  To- 
bacco and  Cioonie  on  tlie  Pope's  Creek  Branch  of  the 
Baltimore  and  Potomac  Kailroad.  Cnides  can  be  se- 
cured at  any  of  these  points,  as  well  as  hotel  accommo- 
dations, witli  the  exception  of  Bonifies  and  Steniiner's', 
Run. 

SUN  FISH. 

Sun  Fish  are  reported  most  plentiful  at  Nottiu.i;- 
ham,  Chester  county;  Conewago,  Lancaster  county; 
at  Perrynmn,  Harford  county,  and  Hollins,  Baltimore 
county,  Maryland,  on  the  Nortliern  Central  Railway, 
and  at  Sodus  Point,  New  York.  Good  hotel  accom- 
modations can  be  had  at  any  of  these  points,  except 
Nottingham.     Guides  are  not  necessary. 

CAT   FISH. 

Good  cat  fishing  is  reported  at  Rising  Sun,  Cecil 
county,  and  Bengies,  Baltimore  county,  Maryland;  at 
McCall's  Ferry,  Lancaster  county;  Rockville,  Dauphin 
county,  and  at  Chenytree,  Cambria  county.  No 
guides  are  necessary,  and  good  hotel  accommodations 
can  be  had  at  all  these  points  except  Bengies. 


544 


Section  3. 


WESTERN    PENNSYLVANIA      WEST    OF    THE 

SUMMIT  OF    THE    ALLEGHENY 

MOUNTAINS. 


Pbinoipal  Kinds  of  Game. 

MAMMALS: 
Rabbits,  Foxes,  Squin-els,  Deer,  Bears. 

BIRDS  : 
Pheasants,  Quail,  Wild  Turkeys,  Ducks. 

Principal  Kinds  of  Fiph. 
fresh  water: 

Trout,  Bass,  Salmon,  Carp,  Perch,  Pike,  Rock  I'ish,  Cat  Fish. 
RABBITS. 

West  of  the  Alleghenies  Rabbits  are  most  plentiful 
in  the  mountains  in  the  neighborhood  of  Lillj-  and  in 
the  "Big  Woods"  near  Summerhill,  Cambria  county, 
and  around  Nineveh  and  Penn  Station,  Westmoreland 
county.  Guides  are  no-t  necessary,  but  if  desired  ihey 
can  be  secured.  Good  hotel  accommodations  are  af- 
forded. 

FOXES. 

Foxes  are  reported  quite  plentiful  along  the  Chest- 
nut   Ridge    Hillsides,    Westmoreland     county;    also 
around  Sax(!'nburg.  Butler  county,  ten  miles  west  ot 
Ebensburg,  and  in  tlie  mountains  around  Lilly,  Cam 
bria  county.     Cuides  are  usually  considered  necessary. 


545 

and    can   be   secured.     Ample  hotel    accommodations 
are  afforded  at  all  the  above  stations  except  Hillside. 

SQUIRRELS. 

Squirrels  are  most  plentiful  in  the  ueighborhuKjd  of 
Penu  station,  Westmoreland  county;  they  are  also 
said  to  be  quite  numerous  in  the  vicinity  of  Allegheny 
V^alley  Junction,  and  around  Ninevah  Station.  No 
guides  are  needed,  and  good  hotel  accommodations 
can  be  secured. 

DEER. 

Deer  are  quite  plentiful  along  the  chestnut  ridge 
and  Laurel  Hill  near  Ninevah  Station,  Westmoreland 
county,  and  they  may  be  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Kane, 
in  McKean  county.  Guides  are  necessary  and  can  be 
secured.     Good  hotel  accommodations  can  also  be  had. 

BEAKS. 

Bears  may  be  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Groylaud,  Elk 
county,  also  in  the  mountains  at  Fairandsville  above 
Lock  Haven,  and  at  Lng.mtdn,  which  latter  place  is  also 
in  Clinton  county,  and  can  be  reached  by  wagon  frcm 
either  Lock  Haven  or  Coburn;  and  about  live  miles 
northwest  of  Kane,  McKean  county.  Guides  are 
needed  and  can  be  secured,  as  well  as  ample  hotel  ac- 
cc^nmodations.  Bear  shooting,  like  hunting  \\ild  Tur- 
keys, is  generally  followed  with  wvy  unsatisfactory  re- 
sults. I  would  not  recommend  any  one  to  go  after 
Bears  unless  he  is  able  to  do  a  lot  of  iiard  tramping 
over  rocky,  brush  covered  mountain  land.  You  shonid 
also  have  good  dog><  \\lii<h  arc  experienced  in  pursu 
ing  Bears.     Woodsmen  and  trappers  in  Pennsylvania 

35  II 


546 

who  huut  Hoars  for  their  flesh  and  pelts  secure  these 
animals  cbit  lly  hy  trap])inj;,  and  i\-\\  of  tliein  ajipear  to 
make  any  elfort  to  educate  do^s  lo  follow  and  liarass 
(licse  liardy  bru(es  as  was  done  It.v  linntcis  and  Irajt 
pei's  in  former  years. 

BIRDS. 

PHEASANTS. 

West  of  tlie  summit  of  the  Alleghenies  Pheasants 
are  reported  most  plentiful  in  the  mountains  around 
Lillv,  Wilmore,  and  Ebensburg,  Cambria  county. 
Good  gunning  is  also  found  near  Export  and  Donohoe, 
Westmoreland  county;  Saxonburg,  Butler  county,  and 
Spring  Greek  and  Youngsville,  Warren  county.  Pri- 
vate acccanmodations  can  be  secured  at  Export;  no 
hotel  accommodations  are  afforded  at  Donohoe;  good 
accommodations  can  be  had  at  all  the  other  points 
named.  Guides  are  not  generally  needed,  although 
in  Candiria  and  Warren  counties  they  are  desirable 
and  can  be  secured. 

QUAIL. 

Quail  seem  to  be  quite  scarce  west  of  the  Alle- 
ghenies, but  good  shooting  is  reported  to  be  around 
Crab  Tree  and  Penn.  Westmoreland  county,  and  in 
the  vicinity  of  Dunbar,  Fayette  county.  Good  hotel 
accommodatic'ns  can  be  secured  at  these  points:  no 
guides  ai'e  needed. 

WILD  TURKRYR. 

Wild  Turkeys  are  reported  plentiful   around   Wil 
iiKMc;  along  Plack  Lick    ^^lllev.    ten    miles    west    of 
Ebensburg,  and  around  Conemangh.  Canibi-ia  (Mumty: 


547 

also  aloii^- (Micj^lii lit  HicJ<,'e  and  Laiiiel  Hill,  Wesluiore- 
laad  coiintv.  With  thr  ixceptiuu  of  Lockport  good 
liot<^l  accouuiiodations  are  afforded  at  all  of  these 
points.  Guides  are  sometimes  desirable  and  can  be 
secured  \>here  necessary. 

DUCKS. 

Ducks  are  said  to  be  plentiful  alonj;-  the  Couemaugh, 
at  Nineveh  Station,  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year. 
The  town  affords  good  liotel  accommodations,  and  no 
guides  are  needed. 

FISH. 

Hrook  trout  are  reported  plentiful  in  Forest  and 
Jefferson  counties,  and  in  the  western  part  of  McKean 
couniy;  likewise  in  Potter  county.  GC'Od  fishing  is 
found  along  the  tributaries  of  Tionesta  creek  in  Forest 
county;  along  the  branches  of  the  north  fork  in  Jeffer 
son  county,  and  along  the  Kinzua  creek  in  :McKeaii 
county.  Pretty  good  trout  fishing  can  be  found  along 
the  Philade]i)hia  &  Erie  Railroad  from  Johnsonburg 
to  Corry.     Guides  are  generally  required. 

BASS. 

Bass  are  reported  most  plentiful  in  Beaver  run.  tivc 
miles  west  of  Export,  and  in  the  Conemaugh  near 
Ninevah,  Westmoreland  county;  in  the  Allegheny 
river  near  Springdale,  Allegheny  county,  and  at  Alle- 
gheny Valley  Junction,  Westmoreland  county;  also 
in  the  creeks  around  Garland,  Warren  county.  Good 
hotel  accommodations  can  be  secured  at  any  of  these 
points;  guides  are  not  needed. 


548 


SALMON. 

A  few  salmon  may  be  found  in  llie  Allegheny  river 
neai'Alleglieuy  Valley  Junction,  NN'estniorelaud  county; 
in  the  Monoi-gahela  river  near  Webster,  Washington 
county  and  in  the  Ooneniaugh  at  Sunimerhill,  Cambria 
county.  Guides  are  not  needed  and  hotel  accommoda- 
tions can  be  secured. 

CARP. 

Good  carp  fishing  is  found  in  the  Mouongaliela  riAer 
at  Webster,  Washington  county,  and  in  the  Alle- 
gheny river  at  Allegheny  Valley  Junction,  Westmore- 
land county. 

PERCH. 

Good  perch  fishing  can  be  had  at  Webster  on  the 
Monongahela  river,  thirty-five  miles  south  of  Pitts 
burg. 

PIKE. 

Pike  are  reported  quite  plentiful  in  the  Conemaugh 
river  near  Ninevah,  Westmoreland  county.  No  guides 
are  needed  and  good  hotel  accommodations  are  af- 
forded. 

ROCK  FISH. 

Kock  fisiiing  is  reported  best  in  the  creeks  near  G-ar- 
land,  Warren  county.  Good  hotel  accommodations 
are  afforded  and  no  guides  are  needed. 

C.\T  FISFT. 

Cat  Fisli  are  reported  quite  plentiful  in  tlie  Monun- 
gahela  river  near  Webster,  Washington  county. 


549 


CHAPTER  VII. 


TAPEWORMS  OF  POULTRY. 

This  chapter  deals  quite  fully  with  a  subject  of  great 
iuipurtaiKf,  both  fioiii  a  practical  and  scieiititic  stand- 
point. As  Dr.  D.  E.  Salmon,  Chief  of  Bureau  of  Ani- 
mal Industry,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  Wash- 
ington, 1).  C,  says,  in  referring  to  this  matter: 

"Our  knowledge  of  the  parasites  of  poultry  is  in  a  very  unsat- 
isfactory condition,  and  the  contributions  to  it  are  so  scattered 
through  the  literature  of  the  world  that  they  are  not  available 
to  the  greater  part  of  those  engaged  in  the  investigation  of 
this  and  allied  subjects." 

The  serious  outbreaks  of  epizootics  which  have  oc 
currcd  chiefly  in  Europe,  among  domesticated  fo-wls, 
and  which  have  been  traced  to  tapeworms  which  in- 
fest poultrj^,  has  led  scientific  men  abroad  to  investi- 
gate, with  great  care,  these  internal  forms  of  parasitic 
life.  As  a  result  almost  all  the  literature  on  the  sub- 
ject appears  in 

"Latin,  German,  French,  Danish,  Italian,  etc,  while  in  the 
English  language  we  have  only  a  few  short  notices  conctrning 
these    worms." — Stiles. 

Within  the  past  two  or  three  years  several  speci- 
mens of  tapeworms  and  other  entozoa  have  been  sent 
to  the  Pennsylvania  Department  of  Agriculture  with 
statements  that  the  fowls  from  which  the  specimens 
were  taken  were  dying  from  some  unknown  disease; 
and  that,  although    tlu'    fowls    at    times    showed    in 


550 

creased  desire  for  food,  tliey  grew  thin,  dull  and  list- 
less, and  leaving,  with  ruttled  leathers  and  drooping 
wings,  tlie  rest  of  the  Hoek,  soon  died. 

In  order  that  an  interest  involving  annually  in  Penn 
sylviinia  about  $22,()(M»,(M)(^  shall  be  fully  dealt  with 
in  a  publication  which  the  Legislature  has  directed 
should  be  prepared  to  meet  the  great  demand  which 
comes  especially  from  farmers  for  sucli  a  document, 
it  has  been  deemed  advisable  to  reproduce  in  this 
chapter  the  carefully  prepared  paper  of  Dr.  0.  W. 
Stiles,  entitled 

"A  REPORT  UPON  THE  PRESENT  KNOWLEDGE  OF  THE 
TAPEWORMS  OF  POULTRY." 

which  was  recently  published  as  part  of  Bulletin  No. 
12  (Bureau  of  Animal  Industry)  of  the  United  States 
Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C.  The 
handsome  illustrations  in  this  chapter,  so  true  to 
nature,  have  been  prepared  from  drawings  made  witli 
especial  care,  from  s])ecimens  in  the  National  Grovern- 
ment  Museum,  by  Mr.  Wm.  S.  D.  Haines,  an  artist  of 
rare  ability. 

This  chapter,  made  up  as  it  is  of  the  most  exhaus- 
tive report  which  to  date  has  ever  been  printed  in 
the  English  language  on  the  Tapeworms,  will  no  doubt, 
notwithstanding  its  technical  character,  be  of  great 
service  to  poultry  raisers  of  Pennsylvania,  as,  by  its 
teaching,  they  can  h-arn  that  which  will  enable  them 
to  recognize  and  guard  against  outbreaks  of  disease 
from  parasitic  enemies,  which  have  only  lately  been 
investigated  by  specialists  in  this  country. 

Tapeworms,  as  well  as  numerous  other  internal 
parasites,  infest  wild  birds.  Tlie  abdominal-thoracic 
cavity  of  the  common  Meadowlark  is  frequently  the 


551 

refuge  of  luajjises  or  balls  of  parasites  (filaria?);  under 
the  bony  covering  of  the  skull  of  the  Auhinga  or  JSuake 
bird  a  species  of  parasite  is  usually  to  be  found. 
These  parasites  are  often  seen  in  birds  of  prej  which 
subsist  on  an  animal  diet.  Tapeworms  are  very  com 
mon  in  the  intestines  of  Crow  Blackbirds,  which  are 
omnivorous.  When  in  Florida,  in  1885,  the  writer 
found  the  intestines  of  several  Quail  fairly  gorged 
with  whitish,  pinkish  or  yellowish  colored  tapeworms. 
It  was  noticed  that  the  Quail  lind  been  feeding  to  a 
considerable  extent  on  a  small  species  of  batrachian, 
called  by  the  natives  "rain  or  sand  frogs."  In  a 
period  of  about  three  months,  in  1895,  the  writer  ob- 
tained fully  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  specimens  of 
internal  parasites  from  land  and  water  birds  and  do- 
mesticated fowls  in  Florida.  These  specimens,  pre- 
pared in  alcohol,  with  full  data,  were  presented  to  the 
late  Joseph  Leldy,  M.  D.  Many  of  these  specimens, 
some  of  which  were  new  to  science,  were  fully  de- 
scribed b}'  I'rO'f.  Leid}',  in  Medical  Journals,  etc. 

Unfortunately,  the  fire  of  1897,  which  destroyed  the 
office,  library,  note  books,  etc.,  of  the  writer,  consumed 
a  large  amount  of  data  concerning  tapeworms  and 
other  parasites  of  wild  birds,  mammals  and  domestic 
fowls,  which  had  been  collected  by  me  in  the  field  or 
presented  by  my  esteemed  friend  and  instructor.  Prof. 
Joseph  Leidy,  who  had,  a  short  time  prior  to  his  death, 
accumulated  a  considerable  amount  of  data  concern- 
ing tapeworms  of  domesticated  fowls  and  wild  ani 
mals. 

B.  H.  WARREN. 


552 


REPORT  UPON  THE  PRESENT  KNOWLEDGE 
OF  THE  TAPEWORMS  OF  POULTRY. 


BV  CH.    WAKUKLL  STII.ES. 


PAKT  I. 
GENEKAL  DitiUUlSSlON. 

it  iias  beeu  knowu  for  years  tiiat  tapevvoiius  infest 
domesticated  poultry,  and  in  some  cases  they  cause 
serious  epizootics  among  fowls.  The  outbreaks  thus 
far  recorded  have  occurred  chielly  in  Europe,  and  as 
a  natural  outcome  almost  the  entire  work  which  has 
beeu  published  on  these  parasites  is  the  result  of 
European  investigations.  The  literature  upon  the 
subject  is  accordingly  in  Latin,  German,  French,  Dan- 
ish, Italian,  etc.,  while  in  the  English  language  we  have 
only  a  few  short  notices  concerning  these  wonns. 
Generic  and  specific  diagnoses  of  the  parasites  of  this 
group  are  almost  unknown  articles  in  the  English  lan- 
guage, while  as  yet  we  have  absolutely  no  reliable  data 
as  to  how  many  species  of  tapeworms  are  found  in 
American  poultry. 

Several  outbreaks  of  tapeworm  disease  have  been 
noticed  in  fowls  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  and 
upon  various  occasions  specimens  have  been  sent  to 
this  Bureau  for  identification.     As  Dr.  Moore  (1895)* 

*A   Xodular  Taeniasis  in   Fowls,  by  Dr.   V.  A.   Moore. 


558 

has  recently  called  atlentio-n  to  this  disease,  and  as 
we  shall  probably  hear  of  its  existence  in  various  parts 
of  the  country,  it  may  be  well  to  state  at  this  time  what 
is  known  regarding  the  tapeworms  of  domesticated 
fowls  and,  in  response  to  several  requests  from  experi 
ment  stations,  to  give  the  generic  and  specific  diag 
no-ses  as  they  at  present  stand. 

The  following  table  shows  33  species  which  have 
been  recorded  for  poultry,  but  several  of  these  are 
doubtful  and  probably  several  forms  appear  in  the  list 
more  than  once,  under  different  names.  Besides  the 
forms  given,  ore  O'r  two  other  forms  have  been  re- 
corded, l)ut  can  be  ignored  for  the  present.  A  square 
n  signifies  that  the  parasite  is  recorded  only  from  poul- 
try; a  cross  +  that  it  occurs  in  wild  birds,  but  proba 
bly  not  in  poultry;  the  circle  O  signifies  that 
the  parasite  is  recorded  both  in  poultry  and  in  wild 
birds. 


35*  11 


554 


i 

u 

c 

o 

3 
o 

■a 

S) 

1 

A 
9 
n 

t. 
o 

c 
o 

c 
►4 

Does  not  normally  occur  In  these   hosts; 
experimentally      Infected      by      feeding 
larvae  from  flsh. 

Small  fresh-water  mussel  crabs  (Cyprls 
ovum.  C.  cinerea,  Cypria  ophthalmlca, 
Candona    Candida), 

See  T.    trillneata,    p.    595. 

Earthworms    (AUobophora    foetida). 

Small  fresh-water  mussel  crabs  (Cyprls 
ovata,    C.    Incongruens,    C.    cmnpressa). 

Small  fresh-water  copepods  (Cyclops 
agilis). 

•qoiJlso 

nana 

:      :    X 

12       »~  :    n 

•asooo 

•UBMS 

:        ;  i      i    ^ 

'.       c~     '.              '.    '.          '. 

■uajtomo 

':    o 

O        I! 

:         :o      : 

•51000B3J 

IMoj  -Banmo 

— i    : 

Xa^iJnx 

■uoaaij 

c>.      :    X 

Name  of  parislte. 

BOTHRIOCEPHALIDAE : 
Eothrlocephahis — 

sq.      ? 

Bothrlotaenla — 

L 

3  a 

'2 

TAENIIDAE: 
Cotugnia— 

digonopora     

Dlcranotaenla— 

aeauabills     

coronula     

furclgera     

sphenoldes     

Drepanldotaenla— 

anatlna    

555 


Small  fresh-water  mussel  crabs  (Can- 
dona  rostrata,  Cyprla  ophthalmlca) 
and    copepods    (Cyclops    viridis). 

House  fly  (Musca  domestlca). 

Small  fresh-water  copepods  (Cyclops 
brevicaudatus). 

Flea  crabs  (Gammarus  pulex)  and  cope- 
pods (Cyclops  vlrldls,  C.  agllis,  C.  lu- 
cldulus). 

Flea  crabs  (Gammarus  pulex)  and  cope- 
pods   (Cyclops   agilis.    C.    iiulcliellu;:). 

Slugs  (Limax  agrestls,    L.   variegatus,   L. 
cinereus). 

Probably  snails  (Helix  carthuslanella?  or 

H.   maculosa?). 
Small    fresh-water   mussel    crabs    (Cypris 

cinerea). 

See   p.    595. 
See    p.    607. 

i     i 

•  *      '          ■          i 

n       nn  •    ^       •■•         •*••:•.      •  •    ^      re-  ;  :e-e~oo  :  : 

o> 

k-t 

rA'    '3      rJ        :  :  :  i      •  \      '■      :  ':  :  :  In  •  •  •  \ 

'- 

hi    i    H :  M  M  n  N  i  1 M  H  ^ 

:      ^: 

1        i       o  ino     jo     :      :  :  :o  ico  jo  :    ::3 

•  •  :..:;....,• 

•        I        :  i  :  ■;      •  •     •      :•::'••:::: 

:        i        :  '  :  :     ::     \    '-^  '  :  •  '  ^-  '  :  :^' 

« 

;    "1 

"z'i" 





;     1 

:        < 

2 

10 

1    I 

5 

sinuosa     

tenulrostris     

Davainea— 

cesticiUus    

crassula     

echlnobothrida     

proglottlna    — ' 

struthionis     

tetragona     

Echlnocotyle— 

Rosseterl     

Taenia   S.    1.— 

cantaniana     

conica     

Delafondl     

exilis     

imbutiformls     

Krabbei     

malleus     

megalops     

sp.    (Conard,    MS.)    

sp     

556 

From  this  table  it  will  be  noticed  that  (>  ditTerent 
tapewoi-nus  have  beeu  recorded  from  pigeons,  '1  from 
iMi-kcys,  1  1  ir(nii  chickciis,  U  from  Swans,  7  from  geese, 
K)  from  dneks,  and  1  from  ostriches;  1  form  has  been 
recorded  as  common  to  pigeons,  chickens,  and  ducks; 
5  forms  as  common  to  ducks  and  geese;  1  form  as  com- 
mon to  geese  and  swans;  1  as  common  to  pigeons  and 
ducks,  and  1  as  common  to  pigeons  and  chickens. 
These  statistics  are  based  upon  the  suppositions  that 
all  the  parasites  mentioned  are  good  species,  and  that 
the  specific  determinations  of  the  parasites  were  cor- 
rect. A  comparison  of  the  original  types  would,  how- 
ever, undoubtedly  show  that  both  of  these  su])positions 
are  incorrect,  for  many  of  the  species  are  vei*y  poorly 
described,  and  have  been  established  upon  very  limited 
material. 

Many  of  the  specific  diagnoses  existing-  to-day  are  almost 
worthless;  some  of  the  species  rest  upon  very  weak  characters 
and  must  undoubtedly  fall,  while  the  synonymy  and  proper 
names  of  the  group  need  thorough  revision.  It  would  be  haz- 
ardous to  make  any  radical  changes  in  the  system  at  present; 
in  fact,  I  do  not  believe  this  should  be  done  unless  the  worker 
has  a  large  series  of  specimens,  with  types,  if  possible,  before 
him. 

LIFE   HISTORY    AND    SOURCE    OF   INFECTION. 

Fortunately  the  life  history  of  a  number  of  forms  is 
known.  So  far  as  yet  worked  out,  the  larval  stage  is 
in  every  case  a  cysticercoid  and  lives  in  some  inverte- 
brate (snail,  insect,  crustacean,  or  worm).  A  glance 
at  the  above  table  and  the  remarks  under  each  s])ecific 
diagnosis  will  show  the  source  of  infection  (intei-me- 
diate  hosts)  so  far  as  known  or  supposed.  There  are 
no  grounds  for  believing  that  poultry  can  become  in- 
fected with  tapeworms  directly  fi'oni  the  eggs  con 
tained  in  the  droppings. 


557 

The  life  liistoiy  of  those  worms  agrees  with  the  life 
histoiy  of  other  tapeworius;  the  ova  of  the  parasites 
are  voided  with  the  excrement  and  are  swaHowed  bj' 
insect)  and  develops  iiilo  a  larval  form  known  in  this 
an  oncosphere)  contained  within  the  eggshell  then 
bores  its  way  from  the  intestine  into  the  body  cavity 
of  the  intermediate  host  (a  worm,  snail,  crustacean,  or 
insect)  and  develops  into  a  larval  form,  known  in  this 
case  as  a  cysticercoid.  This  larva  develops  into  an 
adult  worm  when  swallowed  by  a  chicken,  duck,  goose, 
etc. 

The  known  or  supposed  life  history  has  been  based  upon  four 
different  methods  of  work,  i.  e.— 

1.  Experimental  infection  of  the  fowls  by  feeding  to  them 
known  larval  stages  found  in  invertebrates,  and  thus  raising 
the  adult  stage. 

2.  Exep'rimental  infection  of  invertebrates  by  feeding  to  them 
the  eggs  of  tapeworms  found  in  birds,  and  thus  raising  the 
larval  stage. 

3.  Comparison  of  the  hooks  upon  the  heads  of  adult  tape- 
worms of  birds  with  the  hooks  of  larvae  found  in  invertebrates 
and  thus  associating  the  young  and  the  old  stages. 

4.  Wild  speculation  as  to  the  intermediate  hosts,  based  upon 
negative  results  and  totally  devoid  of  any  scientific  foundation. 

Of  these  four  methods  of  work  the  first  two  give  positive 
pi'oof  of  the  life  history  when  the  experiments  are  successful: 
the  third  gives  a  probability  to  the  statements,  but  not  a 
proof:   the   less  said  about   the   fourth  method   the  bettter. 

Tlio  following  are  the  data  we  have  at  present  re- 
garding the  life  history: 

1.  Experimental  infection  of  fowls  with  larvae 
in  invertebrates. 

Davainca  prolottinai  of  chickens.— Gassi  &  Rovelli  (l.SS?., 
18S9A,  1892)  fed  the  eggs  (PI.  XV.  fig.  lOS)  of  this  tapeworm  (PI. 


JThere  are  as  yet  but  few  popular  names  for  the  various 
poultry  tapeworms.  Se\ieral  new  poinilar  names  ai-e  intro- 
duced in  the  second  part  of  this  paper,  but  for  the  sake  of 
exactness  and  brevity  it  is  necessary'  to  introduce  the  scientific 
names  in   all  cases. 


558 

XV,  lig.   194)  lo  slugs  (Limax),  and   laised  the  larval  stage  (PI. 

XVI,  figs.  199-202)  in  twenty  days.  Slugs  containing  these  lar- 
vae were  then  fed  to  chickens,  and  within  eight  days  the  four 
segments  were  formed.  There  can,  therefore,  be  no  question 
that  chickens  become  infected  with  this  tapeworm  by  eating 
slugs. 

Echinocotyle  Rosseteri  of  ducks — Small  fresh-water  crusta- 
ceans (Cypris  cinerea)i  containing  a  very  characteristic  larval 
tapeworm  (PI.  XIX,  fig.  251)  were  fed  to  a  domesticated  duck 
by  Rosseter  (1891A-B,  1892).  The  duck  was  aftenvards  killed 
and  found  to  be  infested  with  tapeworms  possessing  the  same 
characteristic  head  (PI.  XIX,  figs.  247-248).  The  life  history 
of  this  form  must  therefore  be  looked  upon  as  experimentally 
demonstrated. 

2.  Experimental  infection  of  invertebrates  by  feed- 
ing the  eggs  of  avian  tapeworms: 

Davainea  proglottina  of  chickens. — This  case  has  been  dis- 
cussed above. 

Drepanidotaenia  anatina  of  ducks. — Schmidt  (1894)  has  re- 
cently demonstrated  the  life  history  of  this  worm  in  a  manner 
which  places  the  source  of  infection  beyond  question.  He  fed 
large  quantities  of  tapeworm  eggs  to  fresh-water  crustaceans 
(Cypris  ovatai)  and  thus  raised  the  larval  form  (PI.  IX,  fig. 
110).  In  sum.mer  these  larvae  developed  in  two  weeks,  but  in 
winter  they  required  over  five  weeks  for  their  development,  the 
difference  in  time  being  attributed  to  the  difference  in  the 
temperature.  The  same  larval  form  is  described  by  Mrazek 
(1891)  also  from  two  other  mussel  crabs,  i.  e,,  Cypris  incon- 
gruensi  and  Cypris  compressai  (=:2Cypria  ophthalmica  accord- 
ing to  Moniez). 

3.  Comparison  of  tlie  liooks  upon  the  beads  of  the 
adult  tapeworms  in  birds  with  the  hoolvs  of  larvae 
found  in  invertebrates,  and  thus  associating  the  young 
and  old  stages. 

This  method  of  explaining  the  life  history  does  not 

iThere  are  no  popular  names  for  the  numerous  different 
species  of  small  fresh-water  crustaceans.  The  popular  name 
mussel  crabs  is  used  for  the  Ostracoda  (Cypris.  Candona, 
etc.);  water  fleas  for  Daphnia;  copepoda  for  the  Copepoda  (Cy- 
clops, ri.  VT.  fig.  fi?:  PI.  XT.  fig.  ir!0):  flea  crabs  for  Gammarus. 


559 

fuiuish  the  data  wliich  are  demanded  in  science  ol  lo 
day,  althougli  it  shows  uliat  tlie  pr()l)al)le  life  history 
is. 

Davainea  tetraguna  of  chickens.— Plana  (1881,  1882)  found  two 
larvae  (PI.  XVIII,  figs.  228-229)  in  snails  of  the  genus  Helix, 
which  he  associated  with  this  chiclten  tapeworm  (PI.  XVII, 
ligs.   219-227,   PI.    XVIII,   figs.   231-235). 

Dicranotaenia  coronula  of  ducks. ^Mrazek  (1890)  found  larvae 
(PI.  Ill,  fig.  25)  in  fresh-water  mussel  crabs  (Cypris  ovum  and 
Cypria  ophthalmica  (Cypris  compressa);  Rosseter  (1890)  found 
a  cysticercoid  in  Cypris  cinerea,  and  Moniez  (1891)  in  Cypria 
ophthalmica  and  Candona  Candida,  which  the  three  respective 
authors  have  associated  with  D.   coronula  of  ducks. 

Dicranotaenia  spenoides  of  chickens — Grass!  &  Rovelli  (1889A, 
1892)  claim  to  have  found  cysticercoids  (PI.  IV,  fig.  40.)  in  earth- 
worms (Aallobophara  Foetida)  which  they  associate  with  this 
species  of  tapeworm  (PI.  IV,  Figs.  37-38). 

Drepanidotaenia  fasciata  of  geese.— Mrazek  (1890,  1891)  classi- 
fied a  cysticercoid  (PI.  VI,  figs.  67-70)  found  in  fresh-water 
crustaceans  (PI.  VI,  fig.  67)  (Cyclops  agllis)  as  the  larva  of  this 
cestode  (PI.  V,  figs.  56-66). 

Drepanidotaenia  gracialis,  of  ducks  and  geese. — Cysticercoids 
(PI.  VIII,  Figs.  94-99)  found  in  fresh-water  mussel  crabs  (Can- 
dona rostrata  by  Scott,  1891,  p.  314;  Cypris  cobpressa  by  Mrazek, 
1891;  Cyclops  viridis  by  Mrazek,  1891,  and  Cypria  ophthalmica 
by  Moniez,  1891,  p.  26)  and  in  copepods  (Cyclops  sp.  ?)  by 
Schmidt,  1894,  are  looked  upon  as  the  larval  stage  of  this  para- 
site (PI.  VII,  80-85). 

Drepanidotaenia  infundibuliformis  of  chickens  and  ducks. — 
Grassi  &  Rovelli  (1SS9A,  p.  104;  1892)  state  that  the  larva  (PI. 
XV,  fig.  191)  of  this  parasite  (PI.  XIV,  figs.  173,  178)  is  found  in 
the  house  fly. 

Drepanidotaenia  setigera  (PI.  XIII.  fig.  154)  of  geese. — Infec- 
tion attributed  by  von  Linstow  (1S92B,  p.  503),  to  a  cysticercoid 
found   by   Schmril   in   copepods   (Cyclops   brevicaudatus). 

Drepanidotaenia  sinuosa  (PI.  X,  fig.  118)  of  ducks  and  geese. — 
Supposed  to  develop  from  cysticercoids  (PI.  XI,  figs.  130,  1.35) 
found  in  flea  crabs  (Gammarus  pulex)  by  Hamann  (1889,  pp. 
1-7;  in  copepods  (Cyclops  \'iridis.  C.  agilis,  and  C.  lucidulns)  by 
Mrazek. 

Drepanidotaenia  tenuirostris  of  geese. — Supposed  larval  stage 
(PI.   XIV.    figs.    16.^..    168)    was    found   in    flea   crabs    (Gammarus 


500 

pulex)  bj-  Hamanii  (1889,  pp.  7-9)  and  V(in  Linstinv  (l>ii)2A.  p. 
338);  antl  in  c'Ope>;i(ifls  (Cyclnps  agails  and  C.  pulihellus  by 
Mrazek   181*1). 

Ttius,  chickens  ai-e  kuuwij  to  becunie  iiiLecied  uiiii 
one  tapeworm  llirou^h  eating  slugs  (Liniuxj.  They  arc 
supposed  to  become  iiilecUHi  witii  a  second  thiougli 
eating  snails  (Helix);  by  a  third  thiongh  ealing  Hies, 
and  by  a  fourth  through  eating  earthworms. 

Ducks  are  known  to  become  infected  with  twowonn^ 
(hrougli  swallowing  fresh-water  crustaceans,  and  art- 
supposed  to  become  infected  with  tliree  other  tai)e- 
worms  in  the  same  vvav;  another  tapeworm  is  supposed 
to  be  transmitted  to  them  through  flies. 

Geese  are  suppo'sed  to  become  infected  with  five 
species  of  tapeworms  by  swallowing  small  fresh-watei- 
crustaceans. 

Nothing  is  known  in  regard  to  the  source  of  infec- 
tion of  the  tapeworms  of  ])igeous  and  turkeys,  l)ut  in- 
vestigations in  this  field  should  be  based  upon  the  tape- 
worms of  chickens. 

THK  RELATION   OF  THE   TAPEWORMS   OF   WILD   BIRDS 
TO   THOSE   OF  THE   DOMESTICATED   FOWLS. 

Only  two  of  the  chicken  tapeworms  (Dr.  infundibuli 
formis  and  T.  malleus)  have  as  yet  been  recorded  for 
wild  birds,  but  the  majority  of  the  tapeworms  found 
in  the  domeslicnted  ducks  and  geese  are  also  recoi'ded 
from  closely  allied  wild  birds;  besides  these  forms, 
however,  many  species  have  been  described  in  wild 
birds  which  are  not  known  to  occur  in  the  domesti- 
cated fowls.  (See  chart  at  end  of  text.)  This  renders 
the  economic  side  of  the  question  of  avian  cestodes  ex- 
ti-emely  cnmitlicaled  and  demands  a  thorough  study  of 


561 

the  parasites  of  wild  biids  in  ccmut'ctioii  with  those  o\' 
onr  domesticated  foAvls. 

SYMPTOMS   AND    PATI  K  •].(  K".  Y. 

From  a  standpoint  of  symptomatology,  practically 
nothing-  is  known  upon  this  subject.  In  general,  how- 
ever, it  may  be  slated  that  aquatic  birds  are  less  af- 
fected by  the  presence  of  tapeworms  than  land  birds; 
that  young'  birds  suffer  more  than  old  birds;  and  that, 
although  a  fowl  ma^'  harbor  a  small  number  of  tape- 
worms without  showing  any  appreciable  effects,  a 
heavy  infection  injures  the  health  and  may  result  in 
death,  as  has  been  abundantly  demonstrated  by  epi- 
demics observed  in  different  ])arts  of  the  world.  Tt 
has  also  been  noticed  that  poultry  are  more  severely 
infested  in  wet  years  than  in  dry  years,  and  the  general 
applicaticai  may  be  made  that  jioultiy  kept  in  dam]) 
places  will  be  more  heavily  infested  than  fowls  kept 
in  di*y  places.  All  of  these  stnt(^ments  nre  general 
prinoiples  of  painsitology. 

Ziirn  (1882,  p.  17)  gives  the  symptoms  as  follows: 

If  numerous  tapeworms  are  present  in  the  intestine  of  young 
or  old  fowls  a  more  or  less  extensive  intestinal  catarrh  de- 
velops, corresponding  to  the  greater  or  leps  number  of  parasites 
present. 

The  intestinal  catarrh  shows  itself,  esiieeially  in  chickens  and 
geese,  as  follows:  The  sick  animals  become  emaeia'-.ed,  al- 
though the  appetite  is  not  especially  disturbed.  At  times  the 
appetite  is  even  increased.  The  droppings  are  thin,  oonLain 
considerable  yellow  slime,  and  are  passed-  in  small  quantities 
but  at  short  intervals.  The  poultry  raiser  must  direct  his  at- 
tention to  these  thin,  slimy,  and  often  bloody  droppings,  for 
if  any  treatment  against  the  tapeworms  is  to  be  undertaken, 
this  must  be  done  as  early  as  possible.  In  observing  the  drop- 
pings it  should  be  noticed  whether  tapeworm  segments  or  eggs 
are  present.  The  eggs  can  be  seen,  of  course,  only  with  the 
microscope. 


502 

After  a  time  othei-  syinptums  (ie\>'lijp.  'J'he  sick  animals 
become  dull  and  listless,  ivmain  apart  Irnm  the  rest  nf  tin- 
flock;  the  feathers  are  ruffled  and  the  wings  drop,  the  appe- 
tite is  lost  and  the  birds  allow  themselves  to  be  easily  caught. 
Although  it  was  stated  that  in  the  beginning  of  the  trouble 
the  appetite  is  not  disturbed,  the  sick  animals  develop  an  in- 
tense thirst  for  cold  water.  When  it  rains  they  run  under  the 
eaves  in  order  to  catch  water,  and  in  winter  are  eager  far  ice 
water. 

At  reading  this  some  experienced  puultiy  raisers  will  probably 
reply  that  many  chickens  which  are  not  sick  are  fond  of  very 
cold  W'ater.  The  droppings  are  also  thicker  or  thinner  ac- 
cording to  the  food.  Both  of  these  facts  are  known  to  me 
(Zurn).  At  the  same  time  I  look  with  suspicion  of  tapeworms 
upon  every  chicken  which  shows  an  especial  thirst  for  cold 
water;  and  as  for  the  droppings,  the  fowls  infected'  with  tape- 
worms have  droppings  mixed  with  mucus  and  blood,  and  pass 
their  excrements  much  oftener  than  other  fowls  do. 

The  intestinal  catarrh  often  ends  fatally. 

Upon  post-mortem  the  body  is  seen  to  be  thin  and  anaemic. 
The  intestine  generally  contains  no  food,  the  mucosa  is  soft  and 
hyperaemic  and  covered  with  reddish  yellow,  moi'e  or  less  thick, 
purulent  mucus.  According  to  Hertwig  epileptic  attacks  are 
frequently  noticed  in  chickens  affected  with  intestinal  worms. 

The  diagnosis  by  sjjnptoms  seems  to  me  very  uncer- 
tain, and  although  the  symptoms  decribed  by  Ziiiii 
serve  as  an  indication  of  the  disease,  they  can  not  be 
taken  as  proof.  The  diagnosis  by  hunting  in  the 
droppings  for  segments  of  the  parasite  is  less  satis- 
factory than  would  be  supposed,  for  it  is  not  rare  to 
find  chickens  badly  infested  with  tapeworms  when  it 
has  been  impossible  to  discover  segments  in  the  man 
ure.  This  method  is  rendered  doubly  uncertain  be- 
cause the  color  of  the  segments  is  about  the  same  as 
the  urine  in  the  faeces.  Microscopic  exnmination  of  the 
faeces  for  eggs  is  quite  a  certain  though  not  positive 
method  for  diagnosis  of  tapeworm  disease  of  ])oultry, 
but  it  is  llmroughly  impracticable  for  the  farmer  to 
attemi»l  it.     The  best  method  foi-  tlie  farmer  to  follow 


563 

is  lo  kill  one  of  the  sick  chicken.s,  wlieu  he  suspects 
tapeworms,  and  to  cut  out  the  intestine;  he  should 
then  open  the  intestinal  tract  from  the  gizzard  to  the 
anus,  in  a  bowl  of  warm  water,  and  look  for  the  i)ar 
asites. 

At  least  one  species  of  tapeworm  (Davainea  tetra 
gona)  causes  a  serious  nodular  disease  in  the  intestine 
of  chickens  which  upon  superficial  examination  mav 
easily  be  mistaken  for  tuberculosis.  This  disease  was 
probably  first  published  by  Rivolta  &  Del  Prato  (1880 
or  1881?).  It  was  afterwards  described  by  Plana  (1882) 
as  o-ccurring  in  chickens  in  Italy,  and  quite  recently 
Moore  (1895)  has  recorded  it  in  this  country.  The  fol- 
lowing- is  extracted  from  Moore's  article  on  the  sub- 
ject: 

In  the  spring  of  1894,  a  fowl  (Gallus  domesticus)  died  at  the 
experiment  station  of  this  Bureau  with  a  disease  characterized 
by  nodules  or  tuibercle-lilce  bodies  in  the  intestinal  wall.  Upon 
closer  inspection  the  lesions  were  found  to  be  in  the  subserous 
and  muscular  coats,  and  not,  to  any  appreciable  extent  at 
least,  in  the  glands.  In  the  intestinal  contents  there  was  a 
large  number  of  small  tapeworms,  many  of  which  were  firmly 
attached  to  the  mucosa.  Later  in  the  season  about  twenty 
fowls  from  the  same  flock  were  used  for  experimental  purposes, 
and  upon  post-mortem  examination  were  found  to  be  more  or 
less  affected  with  this  disease.  In  addition  to  these,  one  of  four 
fowls  which  were  examined  from  a  flock  of  poultry  on  a  farm 
adjoining  the  experiment  station  was  found  to  be  infe.sted 
with  tapeworms  and  the  intestinal  wall  studded  with  nodules. 
A  fowl  received  from  Newbern,  N.  C,  and  one  from  Tacketts 
Mills,  Va..,  were  similarly  affected. 

Although  but  one  fatal  case  came  under  my  observation,  the 
extent  of  the  lesions  in  several  of  the  fowls  examined  indicated 
that  sooner  or  later  many  of  them  would  undoubtedly  have  suc- 
cumbed to  this  disease.  The  close  resemblance  of  the  nodules 
to  tubercles  renders  necessary  a  somewhat  detailed  description 
of  the  lesions  and  of  the  means  by  which  this  disease  can  be 
readily  differentiated  from  tuberculosis  without  the  aid  of 
laboratory  facilities. 


564 

Description  of  the  disease. — The  fowl  which  died  apparently 
f'rom  this  disease  was  much  emaciated,  and  the  lesions  wen- 
restrieted  to  the  intestinal  wall.  In  the  fowls  used  for  other 
purposes,  there  were  no  observable  symptoms  by  w^hich  the 
nodular  affection  could  be  detected  prior  to  post-mortem  ex- 
amination. Diiphtheria  was  the  immediate  cause  of  death  of 
the  fowls  from  North  Carnlina  and  Virginia.  All  of  the  fowls 
examined,  affected  with  this  disease,  were  from  one  to  three 
years  old. 

The  nodules  were  invaiiably  more  numerous  in  the  lowest 
third  of  the  small  intestine.  They  occasionally  appeared,  how- 
ever, in  small  numbers  in  both  the  duodenum  and  colon.  The 
larger  and  to  all  appearances  older  nodules  were  found  in  the 
ileum  near  the  caeca. 

In  the  badly  affected  portion  the  nodules  gave  the  appear- 
ance of  closely  set  protuberances,  varying  in  size  from  barely 
perceptible  areas  of  elevation  to  bodies  4mm  (i-s  inch)  in  diam- 
etei".  In  some  instances  they  appeared  to  overlap  one  another. 
When  separated  by  a  band  of  normal  tissue  they  were  round 
or  somewhat  lenticular  in  form.  In  the  latter  case  the  long 
diameter  was  usually  transverse  to  the  long  axis  of  the  intes- 
tine. The  larger  nodules  were  of  a  pale  or  dark  yellowish  color 
while  the  smaller  ones  varied  in  shade  from  the  more  highly 
colored  areas  to  the  neutral  gray  of  the  normal  serosa.  To 
the  touch  they  gave  the  sensation  that  would  be  expected  if 
the  subserous  and  muscular  coats  were  closely  studded  with 
small,  oval,  solid  bodies.  The  mucosa  presented  similar  ele- 
vations. Attached  to  the  mucosa  over  the  nodules  were  a 
number  of  tapeworms.  There  were  also  in  the  more  advanced 
cases  a  variable  number  of  .=mall  (0.5  to  1mm)  areas  over  the 
larger  nodules  in  which  the  mucosa  had  sloughed,  leaving  small 
ulcerated   depressions. 

The  larger  nodules  contained  a  greenish  yellow,  necrotic  sub- 
stance w'hich  appeared  in  the  advanced  stages  as  a  seques- 
trum with  a  roughened  surface.  On  section  it  has  a  glistening, 
homogenous  appearance.  Surrounding  the  necrotic  substance 
was  a  thin  layer  of  infiltrated  tissue.  The  smaller  nodules  con- 
tained a  more  purulent-like  substance  and  the  smallest  ap- 
peared to  the  naked  eye  as  ai-eas  of  infiltration.  Sections  of 
the  affected  intestine  showed  upon  microscopic  examination 
that  the  heads  of  the  tapeworms  had  penetrated  the  mucous 
membrane  and  were  situated  in  different  layers  of  the  intestinal 
wall.  They  were  frequently  observed  between  the  villi.  As 
•would  be  expected   the  heads  were  not  readily  detected  in   the 


565 

necrotic  masses  contained  in  the  larger  nodules,  but  were 
almost  invariably  seen  in  the  smaller  ones.  In  a  few  sections 
the  tapeworm  could  be  traced  through  the  mucosa  to  the 
nodule  in  the  muscular  tissue  in  which  its  head  appeared.  In 
the  earlier  stage  of  the  nodular  development  there  is  a  cell  in- 
filtration about  the  head  of  the  worm.  This  process  continues 
until   the   infiltrated   tissue   reaches   a  considerable   size. 

The  worms  attached  to  the  mucosa  were  usually  small.  A 
larger  form  was  commonly  found  in  the  intestinal  contents. 
Although  microscopically  they  appeared  to  be  different,  Dr. 
Stiles  found  that  they  were  presumably  of  the  same  species. 

It  appears  from  the  literature  that  this  disease  has  not 
heretofore  been  demonstrated  in  America.  In  1881,  Plana  de- 
scribed a  disease  of  fowls  in  Italy,  due  to  the  presence  of 
Taenia  bothrioplitis.  His  article,  however,  deals  more  with  the 
anatomy  and  classification  of  the  infesting  cestode  than  with 
the  character  of  the  lesions  it  produced.  As  he  illustrates  the 
nodules  and  heads  of  tapeworms  in  the  intestinal  wall  there 
can  be  no  doubt  of  the  similaritj'  of  the  lesions  to  those  in  the 
disease  here  described.  Although  fowls  and  bii'ds  are  not  in- 
frequently infested  with  tapeworms,  the  lesions  produoed  by 
these  parasites  are,  with  the  exception  indicated  above,  said 
to  be  more  or  less  catarrhal   in   naturo, 

******* 

Economic  importance. — The  imiljortance  of  this  disease  is 
much  greater  than  it  at  fiist  appears,  as  the  close  resemblance 
of  the  nodules  to  those  of  tuberculosis  renders  it  of  much  signi- 
ficance from  a  different  standpoint.  As  the  intestines  are 
stated  to  be  frequently  the  seat  of  the  specific  lesions  of  tuber- 
culosis in  fowls,  it  is  of  the  greatest  importance  that  a 
thorough  examination  be  made  before  a  positive  diagnosis  is 
pronounced.  There  are  already  several  statements  concerning 
the  presence  of  tuberculosis  in  fowls  in  which  the  data  given 
are  not  sufflcient  to  differentiate  the  disease  from  the  one  here 
described.  A  somewhat  analagous  disease  of  sheepi  caused  by 
a  nematoid  (Oesophagostoma  rolumbianum  Curtice)  has  led 
to  the  deliberate  destruction  of  many  animals,  the  owners  be- 
lieving that  tuberculosis  was  being  eliminated  from  their 
flocks.  As  the  inquiry  into  the  cause  of  poultry  diseases  be- 
comes more  general,  it  is  piobable  that  this  affection  will  be 
occasionally  encountered  and  unless  its  nature  is  recognized 
it  may  in  some  instances,  like  the  sheep  disease,  lead  to  an  un- 
warranted destruction  of  properly. 

'Animal  parasites  of  sheep.  Biirf-au  of  Animal  Indu.'^try.  De- 
partment of  Agriculture,  1890,  p.  165. 


566 

In  addition  to  its  im;portance  in  differentiating  tuberculosis 
it  is  in  itself  a  malady  worthy  of  careful  attention.  The  fact 
that  it  has  already  appeared  in  two  flocks  in  the  District  of 
Columbia  and  also  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia, 
shows  that  the  infesting  cestode  isi  quite  widely  distributed  in 
this  country.  It  is  highly  probable  that  the  total  loss  it 
occasions  both  from  deaths  and  from  the  shrinkage  of  poultry 
products,  due  to  the  chronic  course  of  the  disease  it  produces, 
is   very   large.        *        *        * 

Diagnosis. — Tuberculosis  is,  as  before  stated,  the  only  known 
disease  for  which  this  affection  is  liable  to  be  mistaken,  and  it 
is  of  much  importance  that  the  two  diseases  should  not  be 
confounded.  The  diagnosis  has  not,  in  my  experience,  been  diffi- 
cult, as  in  every  case  the  attached  tapeworms  were  readily 
detected  upon  a  close  examination  of  the  intestinal  contents,  or 
of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  infected  portion  of  the  intes- 
tine. However,  the  worms  are  quite  small  and  could  easily  be 
overlooked  in  a  hurried  or  cursory  examination.  In  case  of 
doubt,  if  the  affected  intestine  is  opened  and  the  mucous  sur- 
face washed  carefully  in  a  gentle  stream  of  water,  the  small 
worms  will  be  observed  hanging  to  the  mucous  membrane. 
This  discovery,  in  the  absence  of  lesions  in  the  liver  or  other 
organs,  would  warrant  the  diagnosis  of  the  tapeworm  disease. 
Although  much  is  written  concerning  tuberculosis  in  fowls, 
especially  in  Europe,  the  investigations  of  poultry  diseases  by 
this  Bureau  have  thus  far  shown  that  it  is  not  common  among 
fowls  in  this  country. 

TAPEWORM-INFECTED   FOWLS    AS   FOOD. 

None  of  the  tapeworms  of  birds  are  transmissible  to 
man  in  any  stage  of  their  development,  and  the  pre- 
sence of  tapeworms  in  the  intestine  of  fowls  does  not 
in  itself  warrant  the  condemnation  of  their  bodies  as 
an  article  of  food. 

PREVENTION. 

From  the  nature  of  the  intennediate  hosts  (fresh 
water  crustaceans)  of  the  tapeworms  of  aquatic  birds 
it  is  evident  that  nothing  can  be  done  to  prevent  the 
introduction  of  larval  tapeworms  into  ducks  and 
geese,   if  these  animals   are   nllowed    to   visit   ponds. 


507 

Confining  the  animals  to  frequently  Hushed  artificial 
tanks  will,  however,  prevent  tapeworm  infection. 

With  chickens,  the  outlook  is  somewhat  better.  An 
extenninatiou  of  slugs  will  insure  immunity  against 
Davainea  proglottina,  but  no  precise  directions  can  be 
given  to  prevent  chickens  from  becoming  infested 
with  other  tapeworms  until  the  life  history  of  these 
parasites  is  better  understood.  It  will  be  well,  how 
ever,  to  keep  chickens  housed  in  the  morning  until  the 
sun  is  well  up  and  the  ground  is  dry,  for  they  will  thus 
be  less  likely  to  meet  with  the  supposable  intermediate 
hosts  of  other  worms. 

Absolutely  nothing  can  be  done  at  present  looking 
to  a  prevention  of  the  transmission  of  tapeworms  of 
wild  birds  to  the  dcinesticated  fowls  through  known  or 
unknown  intermediate  hosts,  except  to  prevent  the 
domesticated  ducks,  geese,  etc.,  from  visiting  ponds. 

There  is,  however,  considerable  outlook  for  improve- 
ment if  different  kinds  of  fowls  are  alternated  in  sue 
ceeding  years  upon  the  same  ground  or  if  the  runs  and 
yards  of  fowls  are  occasionally  changed.  From  the 
table  (pp.  554,  555),  it  will  be  seen  that  thus  far  none  of 
the  tapeworms  of  chickens  are  known  to  occur  in  tur- 
keys. Whether  this  immunity  of  chickens  to  turkey 
worms  and  turkey's  to  chicken  worms  is  real  or  appar- 
ent, however,  is  yet  to  be  scientifically  determined. 
Should  it  prove  to  be  real,  then  an  alteration  of  flocks 
of  turkeys  and  chickens  in  diiTerent  years  will  probably 
insure  practical  immunity  of  both  birds  from  any  seri- 
ous outbreaks  of  tapeworm  disease.  If.  however,  tur- 
keysorchick(  ns.as  the  case  may  be,  are  i-aised  upon  the 
same  grounds  year  after  year,  it  is  cmly  natural  that 
those  grounds  should  become  thoroughly  infested  with 
the  lai'val    stages  of  tapeworms  and   that   fresh   out- 


508 

breaks  of  t;ipe\vui'iii  disease  should  appear  from  time 
(o  time. 

Alternating  flocks  of  geese  and  ducks  promise  sim- 
ilar but  less  satisfactory  results. 

The  safest  plan  to  prevent  the  spread  of  poultry 
worms  would  be  to  destroy  the  manure  from  infected 
fowls.  If  one  is  not  willing  to  do  this,  however,  be- 
cause of  its  commercial  value,  he  should  at  least  take 
steps  to  prevent  further  infection  from  it.  If  the  sick 
(thickens  are  confined  to  a  comparatively  small  space 
their  dro])pings  can  easily  be  collected  and  placed  in 
a  strong  barrel,  to  which  the  access  of  snails,  slugs, 
wo-rms,  etc.,  should  be  guarded  against.  It  is  not 
known  how  long  the  eggs  of  poultry  tapeworms  will 
Uve,  but  it  seems  very  doubtful  to  me  whether  they 
could  live  many  months  in  sucli  a  barrel  if  placed  in  a 
dry  spot.  It  seems  almost  certain  that  they  could  not 
live  through  the  winter.  The  temperature  required 
to  kill  the  eggs  has  likewise  not  yet  been  determined, 
but  probably  .-.0^  C.  to  00°  0.  (112°  F.  to  140°  F.)  would 
suffice.  Sulphuric  acid  (10  per  cent)  or  quick  lime  is 
an  excellent  disinfectant  for  faeces  containing  eggs  of 
parasites. 

The  ])r()j)er  care  of  the  manure  fiom  infected  fowls 
is  uuqnestionably  the  most  important  preventive  mea- 
sure against  tapeworm  disease. 

'nti':ATMi:N'r. 

The  treatment  of  tapeworm  disease  in  the  domes ti 
cated  fowls  must  for  the  present  be  more  or  less  ex 
perimental,  as  the  records  in  this  lino  are  extremely 
limited. 

The  firsl  i-iilc  to  be  carried  ou(  in  ;ill  cases  of  dis 
eased   animals,    whether      chickens,      turkevs,      ueese. 


509 

ducks,  or  otliers,  is  to  isolate  IIkmii  troiii  (In-  rest  <»!'  {.hv 
lloclc  aud  keep  IJiem  conlined  uutil  tliey  have  recovered. 
The  second  rule  is  lo  destroy  the  droppings  of  all  ani- 
mals knoNMi  to  be  infected  with  parasites,  or  if  the 
manure  is  needed  as  fertilizer,  it  should  be  treated  ii» 
such  a  manner  so  as  lo  kill  the  ova.  These  two  rules 
can  be  easily  carried  out,  and  if  a  poultry  raiser  or  a 
stock  raiser  is  not  willing  lo  set  aside  a  small  yard  for 
the  isolaiion  of  the  sick  animals,  where  their  drO])pings 
can  be  easily  collected  and  taken  care  of  every  day,  it 
is  almost  useless  for  him  to  administer  anthelmintics 
to  his  fowls  or  other  animals. 

The  chief  drugs  used  against  tapeworms  are:  Ex 
tract  of  male  fern,  turpentine,  powered  kamala,  areca 
nut,  pomegi-anate  root  bark,  pumpkin  seeds,  and  sul 
plvate  of  coi)per  (bluest one). 

Areca  nut. — According  to  Ziirn  powdered  areca  nut 
is  the  best  tapeworm  remedy  for  fowls,  but  he  calls 
attention  to  the  fact  that  turkeys  are  iinfavorably  af- 
fected by  this  medicine. 

Ziirn  advises  the  administration  of  powdered  areca 
luit  in  dose  of  L'  to  .".  gianis  (~:\()  to  4.")  grains),  mixed 
with  butter  and  made  into  ])ills. 

Liquid  extract  of  male  fern  is  very  effectual  against 
tapeworms.  ITntclieon  advises  a  teaspoonful  for 
young  ostriches  three  to  four  months  old,  to  a  table- 
sp  Muiful  for  a  full-grown  ostrich;  it  may  be  made  into 
a  pill  with  flour. 

Turpentine  may  be  given  to  ostriches  in  doses  of  a 
desertspoonful  for  chicks  three  to  four  months  old,  to 
two  tablespoonsful  foa-  a  full-grown  bird;  its  action  is 
much  more  effective  when  combined  with  a  purgative, 
such  as  linseed  or  castor  oil.     (Hutcheon.) 


570 

The  Bure;iii  has  iecen(l.y  ina<le  the  f(»llo\viii<;  rxpcii- 
inents  upon  chickens  to  determine  in  wluii  Moscs  tin- 
pentine  may  be  administered  to  them  wilhoiU  danger. 
As  in  the  experiments  witii  blnestone  ciled  belo-w,  a 
small  rubber  tube  was  inserted  throui;h  the  month  to 
the  crop,  and  the  medicine  forced  through  the  tube 
with  a  large  bulb  pipette.  This  insured  the  de])0sit  of 
the  entire  dose  into  the  crop,  and  proved  to  be  a  most 
excellent  method  of  administ(Ming  the  liquid,  since  it 
caused  no  pain  to  tlie  animal,  n  chicken's  gullet  being 
(juite  large  and  easily  admitting  a  3-10  inch  (outside 
measurement)  rubber  tube. 

No.   121.  Full-grown   chicken. 

Jan.  13,  closed  with  5cc  turpentine.    Effects:  Slight  diarrhoea. 

Jan.  16,  dosed  with  15cc  turpentine.  Effects:  Severe  diarrhoea; 
animal  sick  and  listless;  complete  recovery  in  three  days. 

No.   122.  One-year-old  chicken. 

Jan.  13,  dosed  with  lOcc  turpe'ntine.  Effects:  Moderate 
diarrhoea. 

Jan.  16,  dosed  with  25cc  turpentine.  Effects:  Very  severe 
diarrhoea;  animal  quite  sick  and  refused  food;  complete  re- 
covery in  six  days. 

No.    123.  Full-grown   chicken. 

Jan.  14,  dosed  with  15cc  turpentine.  Effects:  Moderate 
diarrhoea. 

Jan.  16,  dosed  with  30cc  turpentine.  Effects:  Very  severe 
diarrhoea;  animal  very  sick  and  refused  food;  complete  re- 
covery in  six  days. 

After  performing  these  preliminary  experiments  in 
the  laboratory  I  requested  Dr.  Schroeder  to  treat  a 
larger  number  of  fowls  at  the  Experiment  Station  with 
doses  of  IS'^^  turpentine,  noting  the  age,  sex,  weight, 
etc.,  of  the  animals.  Of  these  experiments  he  has 
handed  me  the  following  notes. 

Each  chicken  in  the  following  table  received  a  dose  of  one- 
half  ounce  (14.78'i}C<^)  of  spirits  of  turpentine  injected  through  a 
rubber  tube  directly  into  the  crop.  The  experiments  took  place 
from  February  19  to  February  25,  1896. 


571 


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572 

Thus,  out  of  ',i'2  chickt'us  dosed  willi  Jiiili  an  unuiL- 
^aboul  15'%  about  J  lablespoonful,  about  -  dessert- 
spoonsful, about  4  teaspooiisful)  of  spirits  of  turpeu- 
tine,  one  died.  In  another  case  dosed  with  25*='',  in  still 
another  dosed  with  30'='=  (about  1  ounce,  or  2  table- 
spoonsful)  of  tuipeiitine  the  ;!iiiinals  were  very  sick, 
but  recovered. 

It  will  be  well,  therefore,  to  make  half  an  ounce 
(about  15'*^,  or  1  tablespoon ful)  the  maximum  dose. 
As  a  safe  rule,  we  can  adopt  1  teaspoonful 
(about  4'"=,  about  or:e-eiirhth  on  an  ounce)  to  3  tea- 
spoonsliil  lainiui  1:^  ',  about  llircc-eiulillis  of  an  ounce) 
as  the  dose  for  chickens,  the  size  of  the  dose  being  de- 
termined b}'  the  size  of  the  chicken. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  the  above  experiments  were 
made  to  determine  how  much  turpentine  could  be 
safely  given  to  chickens.  As  there  was  no  outbreak 
of  tapeworm  disease  among  tbe  fowls  used  in  the  ex- 
periment, no  observations  could  be  made  on  the  effects 
of  the  medicine  up(»n  the  taj)eworms  which  occur  in 
chickens.  Turpentine  is,  however,  one  of  the  recog- 
nized remedies  against  tapeworms. 

Powered  kamala. — M^gnin  states  that  very  j,"Ocd  re- 
sults followed  the  use  of  this  drug,  mixed  with  the 
food,  against  tapeworms  of  pheasants.  Hutchoon  ad- 
vises for  ostrich  chicks  one  month  old  1  draclim,  two. 
months  old  V/z  drachms,  three  to  four  months  old  2 
(Iraclims,  eighteen  months  old  1  ounce,  a  full-grown 
ostrich  2  drahms  more.  It  does  not  require  to  be 
mixed  with  a  purgative.  Powered  kamala  may  be 
given  mixed  in  a  little  flour  and  water. 

Pumpkin  seeds. — These,  according  to  Ztirn,  are  not 
well  borne  by  turkeys  and  not  always  by  (thickens,  but 
it  would  be  well  to  experiment  further  with  them. 


573 

Pomegranate  root  baik. — Very  effective  against 
tapeworms  in  ostrichs,  but  miisi  be  ^iven  in  large 
doses  and  followed  by  a  purgativs.     (Hutclieon). 

Sulphate  of  copper  (bluestone).  -This  is  :\n  excellent 
taeniacide  in  calves  and  lambs  but  the  doses  for  fowls 
have  not  been  determined. 

In  some  expe'riments  which  are  now  in  progress  I  have  given 
60cc  of  a  solution  of  1  ounce  sulphate  of  copper  to  3  pints  of 
water  to  a  full-grown  hen  without  noticing  any  ill  effects  from 
the  dose.  Thirtycc  of  the  same  mixture  killed  a  half-grown 
rooster  within  twenty-four  hours.  Upon  post-mortem  it  was 
found  that  the  worms  in  the  intestine  were  dead.  Another 
half-grown  chicken  was  dosed  with  4oc-c  of  the  same  mixture 
and  bore  the  dose  very  well. 

I  am  not  prepared  to  recommend  blue  stone  for  chickens  at 
present,  except  in  experiments,  and  would  direct  attention  to 
the  danger  of  allowing  the  solution  to  enter  the  windpipe,  as  a 
very  small  dose  of  this  solution  will  kill  a  fowl  if  the  medi- 
cine reaches  the  respiratory  organs.  As  a  safe  method  of  ex- 
periment, I  have  inserted  a  thin  rubber  tube  to  the  crop  (a 
catheter  would  answer  equally  as  well)  and  forced  the  medi- 
cine through  this  tube.  This  method  obviates  the  danger 
mentioned  and  is  borne  very  well  by  th^e  chickens.  I  caution 
again,  that  a  large  series  of  experiments  in  this  line  is  needed 
before  bluestone  can  be  recommended  for  g-eneral  use  in  dosing 
fowls. 

Perioucito  advises  the  following  treatment  for  tape- 
worms in  chickens  (dose  foi'  one  e-hickeu): 

(1)  Aloes (socotrineoi-  carballine),  1.5  tc  20  centigrams. 
The  animal  is  fasted  the  same  day. 
(2)  Pumpkin  seeds,  40  to  50.     Adniiiiisleied  to  each 
chicken  on  the  second  day.      Ur — 

(8)  Male  fern,  ])o\\dei'ed,  100  grams.     Mi.xed  in  biau. 

All  of  the  above  medicines  should  be  procured  as 
fresh  as  possible.  Many  failures  in  treating  for  tape- 
wo'rms  are  due  to  the  fact  that  old  drugs  have  been 
used  which  had  lost  their  anthelmintic  pi'o])ei'ties. 


574 

I'Airr  11. 

CLASSIFICATION. 

Part  II  contains  the  descriptions  of  the  tapeworms 
found  in  poultry  and  a  discussion  of  the  different 
species,  and  it  is  placed  for  the  most  part  in  fine  type 
because  of  its  rather  technical  nature.  There  are, 
however,  a  number  of  points  mentioned  under  the  var- 
ious species  which  are  necessary  to  the  poultry  raiser 
who  desires  to  obtain  a  thorough  knowledge  of  this 
subject.  I  have  endeavored  to  bring  together  in  Part 
II  the  entire  history  of  each  species,  in  order  to  show 
the  exact  status  of  our  present  knowledge  of  the  group. 

The  Bureau  is  gradually  collecting  the  original  types 
of  many  of  these  species,  with  a  view  to  revising  the 
entire  group  and  placing  it  upon  a  more  scientific 
basis.  It  is  our  desire  also  to  obtain  all  the  material 
possible  from  various  parts  of  this  country,  and  we 
invite  poultry  raisers,  etc.,  to  furnish  bottles  of  alcohol 
or  formalin,  and  mailing  cases  for  such  sendings.  All 
correspondence  should  be  directed  to  Dr.  D.  E.  Sal- 
mon, Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry,  United 
States  Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Worms  sent  to  us  for  study  or  identification  should 
first  be  washed  in  warm  water  and  then  placed  in 
alcohol  or  in  the  preserving  fiuid  furnished  by  the 
Bureau. 

Tlie  following  classification  by  genera  is  iargely 
based  upon  the  papers  by  Blanchard  (1892B  and  1893). 
In  the  specific  diagnoses,  the  original  descriptions  nud 


575 

figures  have  been  cousulted  as  far  as  possible  aud  data 
derived  from  tlieui  have  been  combined  with  more  re- 
cent diagnoses  and  descriptions. 

It  would  be  well  if  authors  making-  and  publisliiug 
specific  determinations  in  this  group  would  preserve 
their  specimens  in  some  way,  so  that  they  may  be  used 
by  later  writers  on  the  subject,  for  in  many  C'f  the 
species  described  below  the  determination  can  be 
looked  upon  only  as  approximate  and  provisional. 
The  specific  determination  of  these  forms  is  of  much 
greater  importance  from  a  practical  standpoint  than 
is  generally  assumed,  for  an  exact  knoAvledge  of  the 
species  is  necessary  as  a  foundation  for  general  pre- 
ventive measures. 

Nomenclature. — In  several  places  where  it  is  per- 
fectly evident  that  the  parasites  are  now  sailing  under 
wrong  names,  I  have  corrected  the  names  according  to 
the  international  rules.  In  the  majority  of  cases,  hew- 
ever,  I  postpone  changes  until  I  can  complete  a  revi 
sion  of  the  entire  group  based  upon  original  material. 

In  the  systematic  arrangement  given  below  keys  are 
given  not  only  to  the  species  of  adult  tapeworms  o-f 
domestic  fowls,  but  also  to  some  closely  allied  forms. 
The  allied  genera  and  sub-families  are  given  in  the 
keys  in  order  to  show  the  general  relationships  of  the 
group. 

The  tapeworms  of  fowls  belong  to  two  families,  the 
Ho'thriocephalidae  and  Taeniidae. 

Regarding  the  generic  position  of  the  tapeworms  of 
domesticated  fowls  it  may  be  stated  that  up  to  within 
very  recent  years  nearly  all  of  the  forms  have  been 
])laced  in  the  collective  genus  Taenia.  To  R.  Blan- 
chard  and  A.  Railliot  is  due  the  chief  credit  of  pointing 
out  the  absurdity  of  uniting  these  forms  genonrnllv 


57fi 

with  such  forms  as  TiUMiia  solium  of  man.  True*,  other 
authO'i's  had  recognized  the  great  dill'ereuce  iu  soiiie 
characters,  but  the  group  is  such  a  ditiicult  one  to  han- 
dle that  helminthologists,  either  from  lack  of  time, 
material,  or  courage,  have  carefully  avoided  any  at- 
tempt at  a  natural  classification. 

Blanchard  brought  some  order  into  the  group  iu  181)1 
by  proposing  the  new  genera  Davainea  and  Echino- 
cotyle  for  certain  forms,  while  Railliet  followed  up  the 
work  by  ]iropO'siiig  the  genera  Drepanidotaenia  Di- 
crauotacuia,  and  Bothriotaenia  for  certain  other  forms. 
These  five  new  genera,  together  with  Mesocestoides. 
Ophryocotyle,  Cotugnia,  and  Auiabilia  enable  us  to 
make  a  provisional  classification  by  genera.  It  should, 
however,  be  remembered  that  this  classification  is  nec- 
essaiily  provisional  in  nature,  as  the  internal  anatomy 
of  these  worms  is  as  yet  very  poorly  understood,  and 
a  thoroug'h  study  of  that  subject  will  probably  result 
in  great  changes. 

Regarding  the  species  it  may  be  again  remarked 
that  a  considerable  number  of  different  forms  have 
I)een  described,  but  that  a  number  of  these  species  will 
unquestionably  fall,  while  new  species  will  have  to 
be  described  for  forms  whicli  are  not  yet  recognizable 
as  distinct. 

ANALYTICAL  KEY  TO  FAMILIRS  AND   GENERA 

/  Head  with  two  elongated 
grooves  or  slit-like  suck- 
ers; rostellum  wanting; 
uterus  with  special  pore; 
genital  pores  generally- 
dorsal    or   ventral BOTHRIOCEPHAT.IDAK.  p.  579 

^•■^  Head  with  four  cup-shaped 
suckers;  rostellum  pre- 
sent but  not  always  evi- 
dent; utejus  without  any 
special  pore;  genitMl  pores 

generally  n^arginal T.-M'^.NlIDAIi],  p.  oS4 

>•    Head  is  Calways?)  absent. 


577 

Body  without  external  seg- 

I  mentation;  head  without 
suckers,  or  two  weak  slit- 
like suckers  develop 
(Ligullnae) LIGULA.  p.  583 

iBody    with      external    seg- 
mentation;      head       with 
two       elongate       slit       or 
[       grove-like   suckers BOTHRIOCEPHALINAP:,  p.  B80 


r  Genita 
o    f       each 


tal     organs     single     in 

segment p.  580 

Genital    organs    double    in 
(       each   segment p.  581 

Genital  pores  lateral  (mar- 
ginal)       BOTHRIOTAENIA,  p.  582 

Genital  pores  ventral  or 
dorsal P-  5S- 

(    Penis,    vulva,    and    uterus 

I       open  ventro-median BOTHRIOCEPHALUS.  p.  581 

5.  \  Penis  and  vulva  ventro- 
I  median;  uterine  pore 
I       dorsomedian PTYCHOBOTHHIU.M 

C   Penis,    vulva,     and     uterus 

open    ventrally KRABBEA 

1     Penis    and    vulva    ventral, 

I       uterus  opens  dorsally,   ...   •  DIPLOGONOPORUS 

Genital  pores  ventro-me- 
dian  (gen.   Mesocestoids),;       MESOCESTOIDINAE,  p.  58J 


M 


,   Genital  pores  lateral  (mar- 

l       ginal) P-5^* 

'  Head  never  provided  with 
hooks;  uterus  transverse 
or  reticulate;  egg  gener- 
ally with  pyriform  body; 
larval  stage  not  known: 
<       adults       in       herbivorous 

mammals ANOPLOCEPHALINAE,  p.  584 

Head  nearly  always  pro- 
vided with  hooks  (T.  sag- 
inata  exception,  see  also 
Hymenolepis). 

Egg  with  thin  outer  shell 
and  thidk  brown  inner 
shell;  uterus  median  and 
longitudinal  with  lateral 
9,  J  branches;  larval  stage  a 
Cysticercus,  Caenurus  or 
an  Echinoccus  generally 
in  herbivora;  adults  in 
,-arnivornus  mammals,   ..  TARNIIN.VE,    p.   584 

37-11 


578 


10. 


'  Kg'gs  with  thin  transparent 
shells;  frequently  in  egg 
eapsules,  in  some  cases 
scattered  through  the 
segment;  head  nearly  al- 
ways armed  with  hoo In- 
lets on  rostellum;  larvil 
stage  a  cystlcercoid; 
adults  in  birds  and  mam- 
mals  

i   Suckers  unarmed. 
I    Suckers    aimed    with    min- 
{       ute    hooklets    (with    four 
j        exceptions  known  only  in 
i       birds) 


11. 


('    Genital   pores   double 

i  Genital     pores     single,     ir- 

I  regularly  alternate  or  un- 

l.       ilateral 


A 


Two    submedian   ovaries   in 

22   J       each  segment 

One  median  ovary   in  each 
segment,    


13 


(  Several  i-ows  of  hooks  upon 

j        rostellum 

1    A  single  row  of  hooks  upvn 
(.       rostellum,  

{  Dorsall  root  of  hook  much 
longer    than    ventral    loot 
or    prong;      ventral      root 
very  short;  hooks  8  to  12 
H.  {       rarely    to    26)    in    number; 
known  only  in  birds,    .... 
Dorsal  root  of  hooks  about 
the   same   length  as  ven- 
l       tral   root   and   prong,    ... 


'  Dorsal  ^root  shorter  than 
prong  or  ventral  root; 
hooks  generally  less  than 
20  in  number  (range  from 
10  to  26);  genital  pores 
vmilateral  or  irregularly 
alternate;  known  only  in 
birds 


15.  { 


DIPYLIDIINAE,  p.  58.5 


p.  586 

p.  587 

p.  585 

p.  586 
AMABILIA,  p.  588 

DIPYLIDIUM,  p.  586 
COTLTGNIA,  p.  586 


DREPANIDOTAENIA.  p.  i}97 
p.  591 


DICRANOTAENIA,  p.  591 


lAs  the  terms  anterior  and  posterior  in  referring  to  the  roots 
of  the  hooks  are  reversed  by  some  authors.  1  suggest  the  use 
of  the  words  dorsal  and  ventral  in  their  place.  These  words 
are  not  open  to  misinterpretation,  the  dorsal  root  being  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  dorsum  of  the  prong;  the  ventral  root  lies 
under  the  prong. 


579 


15.  <i 


17. 


16.  <! 


'  Dorsal  root  longer  Iban 
prong-  or  ventral  root;  if 
rostellum  is  armed  there 
are  24  to  30  hooks  present; 
senital  pores  unilateral 
(on  left  of  segments);  3 
testicles  normally  pres- 
ent in  each  segment;  re- 
tractile rostellum  armed 
with  minute  hooklets  or 
rudimentary  and  un- 
armed; eggs  with  3  en-, 
velopes;  parasitic  in  man, 
chiroptera,  insectivo'ra, 
rodents,  ■a.itil  insectivior- 
ous  birds;  larval  stage  in 
insects   or  myrianoda,    ... 

Hooks  on  suckers  arranged 
in  circular  rows  on  bor- 
der; hooks  on  rostellum 
resemble  a  hammer  in 
form  and  arranged  in  a 
double  row;  with  four  ex- 
ceptions knoT\'n  only  In 
birds,    

Hooks  on  suckers  ari-anged 
in  several  transverse 
rows;  hooks  of  infundi- 
bulum  very  small  (4  u  ) 
arranged  in  a  single  row ; 
known   only   in   biids 

Hooks  on  suckers  arranged 
in  one  median  set  and 
two  lateral  sets;  hooks  on 
rostelluni'  iprovidejd  with 
long  dorsal  root  and  ar- 
ranged in  a  single  row; 
known   only   in  birds,    . . . 


Anterior  extremity  of  stro- 
bila     expanded     in     form 

of  a  hammer 

\   Anterior    segments    become 

Icaliclform    and    function 
as  a  pseudoscolex 


HYMENOLEPIS,  p.  591 


DAVAINEA,  p.  613 
OPHRYOCOTYLE,  p.  630 

ECHINOCOTYLE,  p.  62S 

FIMBRIARIA,  p.  636 
INDIOGBNES,  p.  637 


Family  BOTHRIOOEPHALIDAE. 

Diagnosis:  Head  provided  with  two  groove  or  slit-like  suck- 
ers; rostellum  wanting;  uterus  with  special  pore;  genital  pores 
generally  (possibly  always)  dorsal  or  ventral.  Type  genus: 
Bothriocephalus  Rud..   180S. 


580 

The  tapeworms  of  birds  which  belong  to  this  family 
are  chissed  iu  two  (of  the  several)  subfamilies.  The 
forms  recorded  for  the  domesticated  fowls  are  of  little 
importance  and  the  records  of  them  are  very  incom- 
l>lete.  Three  species  have  been  reported  from  poultry. 
The  first  of  these  (Ligula)  has  been  developed  experi- 
mentally in  ducks  and  pigeons;  a  second  species  (Both- 
riotaenia  lougieollis)  has  been  recorded  but  once  from 
('hickens,  and  a  third  form  (a  "Bothriocephalide")  is 
recorded  once  from  a  pigeon. 

Subfamily  BOTHRIOCEPHAI.INAE. 

Diagnosis:  Body  with  distinct  external  segmentation;  head 
witli  two  elongate  slit  or  groove-like  suckers.  Type  genus; 
Bothriocephalus  Rud.,  1808. 

This  subfamily  contains  among  other  forms  the 
species  mentioned  above  (llothriotaenia  longicollis) 
from  chickens,  the  undetermined  genus  and  species 
from  the  pigeon,  and  a  number  of  species  of  the  genus 
Bothriocephalus  found  in  wild  birds. 

Although  an  unimportant  subfamily,  so  far  as  the  domesti- 
cated fowls  are  concerned,  it  is  quite  an  important  one  in 
human  and  comparative  medicine.  Six  of  its  species  (Both- 
riocephalus, B.  cristatus,  B.  cordatus,  B.  liguloides,  B.  Mansoni 
and  Krabbea  grandis)  occur  in  man,  while  several  forms  are 
recorded  from  dogs. 

Genus    BOTHRIOCEPHALUS    Rudolphl,    1808. 
(1819,    Dibothrius    Rudolphi;    1850,    Dibothrium    Diesing.) 
Diagnosis:   Two   suckers   present;    penis,    vulva,      and     uterus 
open   ventro-median. 
Type  species:!  B.   latus  (Linne  1758),   Bremser,  1819. 

ilf  the  rules  of  nomenclature  were  strictly  adhered  to  there 
would  be  a  general  rearrangement  of  the  species  now  included 
in  Bothriocephalus.  The  species  now  known  as  Ptychoboth- 
rium  claviceps  (C.oeze,  1782)  was  used  by  Rudolphi  as  the  first 
species  of  Bothriocephalus,  but  within  recent  years  B.  latus  of 
man  has  been  tacitly  unders(of>.d  by  zoologists  as  representing 
the  type  species  of  the  genus.    This  view,  however,  can  not  be 


r»8i 

Xo  species  of  this  genus  as  at  pieseut  revised 
(Blancbai'd,  1894,  p.  699-702)  is  known  to  occur  in  do- 
mesticated fowls,  although  the  pigeon  ''Bothriocepha- 
lide"  may  conveniently  be  placed  here  at  present;  sev- 
eral species  (B,  dendriticus,  B.  ditremus,  B.  lissiceps, 
B.  podicepedis)  are  found  in  wild  birds.  For  Botli- 
riocephalus  longieollis  see  Bo+hriotaenia  longicollis,  p. 

1.   BERTKAU'S  PIGEON  BOTHRIOCEPHALUS,   gen.   et  sp..   'ncert. 

Cornelius  (1875)  mentions  the  occurrence  of  a  tape- 
worm in  a  carrier  pigeon  at  Eberfeld;  hesitates  that  it 
was  a  true  Taenia,  but  I'.ortkau,  in  n  footnote  to  Corne- 
lius's paper,  remarks  that  it  is  a  "Bothriocephalide," 
as  it  possessed  two  suckers. 

The  worm  was  yellowish  white  in  color,  24<'"i  long;  two 
suckers  but  no  hooks  on  the  head;  neck  short;  anterior  seg- 
ments very  short  and  straight,  segments  increasing  in  breadth 
to  Gmm,  then  decreasing  again  toward  the  posterior  extremity; 
margin  of  strobila  serrate. 

The  host  had  been  listless  and  dull,  but  regained  its  natural 
condition  after  the  expulsion  of  the  worm. 

Railliet  (1893,  p.  329),  in  referring  to  this  form,  mentions  also 
a  case  recorded  by  Itzigsohn  (Neudamm.  Brandenburg).  Dr. 
Itzigsohn  was  called  to  see  a  child  which,  he  was  assured,  had 
vomited  a  worm,  and,  in  fact,  a  Bothriocephalus  was  shown 
to  him.  An  investigation,  however,  showed  that  the  child  had 
been  playing  with  a  pigeon,  killed  the  evening  before  by  the 
child's  father;  upon  examining  the  bird  a  similar  worm  was 
found. 

accepted,  as  Rudolphi  did  not  mention  this  form  among  his 
species  of  this  genus.  Strictly  speaking,  the  generic  name 
Ptychobothrium  should  fall  into  sjmonymy  under  Bothriocep- 
halus (type  B.  claviceps)  and  a  new  generic  term  should  be 
given  to  the  group  of  which  B.  latus  is  now  taken  as  type.  This 
would,  however,  be  a  radical  step  and  could  be  taken  consis- 
tently only  in  a  revision.  Another  solution  of  the  problem, 
which  would  have  the  advantage  of  creating  less  confusion, 
would  be  to  accept  another  species  as  type  of  Bothriocephalus. 
which  must  obviously  be  one  named  by  Rudolphi  in  180S-1810, 
with  penis,  vulva  and  uterus  opening  ventrally. 


5S2 

I'^nuii  Ihc  (laic  j^iveu  il  is  utlcilv  impossible  to  dc- 
1  ermine  these  woims,  ami  it  appears  useless  to  attemi»t 
it. 

Genus  BOTHRIOTAENIA    Railllot,    1892. 
Diag-nosis:  Two  suckers   present;   genital   pures    lateral   (mar- 
ginal).    Type    species    Bothriotaenia     longicollis     (Molin,     1858) 
Railliet,  1892. 

2.    BOTHRIOTAENIA    LONGICOLLIS    (Molin,    1858)    Raillet,    1892. 

(IS.Ji;;,   Diliulhrium  luugicolle  Mulin;  1878,   liuthriucephalus   longi- 
collis (Molin,  1858)  von  Linstow). 

Diagnosis:  IS'"'"  to  27in'ii  long  by  imm  wide.  Head  small, 
claviform,  thick,  with  2  nrarginal  oblong  suckers,  and  a  snrali 
central  depression  on  the  summit.  Neck  long  and  very  thin-. 
Body  taenioid,  flat,  with  2  longitudinal  grooves.  Anterior  seg- 
ments very  short;  the  following  segments  almost  square,  over- 
lapping; posterior  segments  transverso-ellipiic,  thick  with 
rounded  borders.  Gravid  segments  show  a  mosaic  structure  of 
dark,  angular  spots  due  to  egg  sacs.  Genital  pores  unilateral, 
about  in  the  middle  of  the  margin. 

Development:  Unknown. 

Host:   Chickens   (Gallus  domesticus),   by   Molin. 

Distribution:  Pavia,   Italy   (by  Molin  and  Polonio). 

Molin  seems  to  be  the  only  auUior  who  has  made 
any  original  observations  on  this  worm,  and  these  are 
not  extended  enough  to  give  us  any  clear  idea  of  the 
parasite  in  question.  The  egg  sacs,  unilateral  pores, 
and  the  central  depression  on  the  summit  of  the  head 
I'ecall  J>a^aiuea  (vide  p.  613),  with  the  query  whether 
Molin  was  really  not  in  error  in  describing  two  suck- 
ers instead  of  four.  Huch  an  error  would  be  an  ex- 
tremely easy  one  to  fall  into,  as  the  suckers  of  avian 
cestodes  are  frequently  indistinct  or  lost. 

At  all  events,  Molin's  original  specimens  sho\ild  be 
re-examined,  as  nearly  forty  years  have  now  ])nssed 
since  the  worm  was  first  found;  it  has  not  b'^en  col- 
lec^od  in  recent  years,  although  tlu^  chicken  has  fre- 
•  piently  been  examined  for  tapcAvoims. 


5Sa 

Subfamily   LIGULINAE. 

Diagnosis :  Body  without  distinct  external  segmentation;  head 
without  suckers,  or  two  slit-like  suckers  may  develop;  genital 
pores    ventral.     Type   genus   Ligula   Bloch,    1782. 

Genus   I-,TGULA   Bloch.    1782. 

Diagnosis:  Body  noi  segmtnied  exieinally,  but  the  genital 
organs  are  repeated  and  the  three  genital  pores  (Penis,  vulva, 
and  uterine  pore)  of  each  set  open  \ientrally;  head  without 
distinct  suckers,  or  2  longitudinal  slit-like  suckers  may  de- 
velop. 

Liife  histo'i-y  :The  larval  foiin  lives  in  the  abdominal  cavity 
of  fish  (particularly  Cyprinidae),  the  adult  in  the  intestine  of 
\arious  piscivorous   birds. 

This  genus  does  not  normally  occur  in  domesticated 
birds,  but  Duchamp  (1870,  quoted  in  Duchamp,  1877) 
infected  ducks  and  pigeons  (1877)  with  the  laval  form 
taken  from  the  tench  (Tinea  vulgaris);  he  also  (1878A) 
laised  the  adult  in  the  peritoneal  cavity  of  a  dog. 
Donnadieu  (1877)  fed  young  ligules  to  ducks,  and  after 
twenty  to  thirty  hours  found  adult  ligules  with  eggs 
in  these  birds  in  some  of  his  experiments,  although  in 
other  infections  of  ducks  his  results  were  negative. 
I\iehm  (1882)  also  succeeded  in  infecting  ducks  with 
ligules. 

From  a  piscicultural  standpoint  the  immature  stage  of  this 
parasite  is  of  considerable  importance,  for  it  occasionally  gives 
rise  to  serious  epizootics  among  fish  (for  historical  review, 
cf.   Donnadieu,    1877). 

A  large  number  of  species  have  been  insufficien'tly  described 
by  various  authors.  Donnadieu  unites  them  all  with  Schisto- 
cephalus  under  the  name  Diibothrium  ligula;  other  authors, 
however,  are  inclined  to  recognize  two  species,  i.  e.,  Ligula 
uniserialis  Rud..  1810  (Syn.  1S39,  L.  monogramma  Creplin),  and 
Ligula  alternans  Rud.,  1810  (Syn.  1839.  L.  digramma  Creplin). 
The  term  L.  simplicissima  Rud..  1802.  is  generally  applied  to 
the  sexual  form  in    fish, 

J  Oenital  ni-eans  simple,  uniserial   L.  uni.serialis. 

i  Genital  organs  double  and  alternating   L.  alternans. 


584 
Family  TAENllDAE. 

Diagnosis;  Head  with  4  cup-shaped  suckers,  losiellum  pre- 
sent but  not  always  evident;  uterine  pore  wanting;  genital 
pores  generally  marginal;  body  always  segmented.  Type 
genus:  Taenia  Linne,  1758. 

This  family  is  an  extremely  important  one  from  an 
agricultural  standpoint  as  all   the  tapeworms  of  do 
mesticated  animals  (with  the  exception  of  a  few  be- 
lougiug  to  the  Bothriocephalidaej  are  classitied  here. 
Probably  all  of  the  tapeworms  normally  found  in  puul 
1 1  y  belong  to  the  subfamily  Dipylidiinae. 

The  subfamily  Taeniiaei  (type  genus:  Taenia  Linne,  175&) 
contains  mostly  large  tapeworms,  the  adult  stage  of  which 
lives  in  carnivorous  animals  (T.  saginata  of  man,  T.  marginata 
of  dogs,  for  instance)  while  the  larval  stage  lives  in  herbivor- 
ous animals  (Cysticercus  bovis  of  cattle,  C.  tenuicoUis  of  sheep, 
cattle,   etcj. 

The  subfamily  Anoplaocepholinae  (type  genus:  Anoplocephala 
E.  Bl.,  1848)  contains  most  of  the  adult  tapeworms  of  horses, 
cattle,   sheep,   labbits,   and  allied  animals. 

Subfamily    MESOCESTOIDINAE. 

Diagnosis:  Head  with  four  suckers;  segments  distinct;  genital 
pores  in  median  ventral  line.  Type  and  only  genus:  Mesoces- 
toides  Vaillant.  1863. 

Genus   MKSOCKSTOIDES    Vaillant,    1863. 

(1885,  Ptychophysa  Hamann.) 

Diagnosis;  Char,  of  subfamily;  a  single  egg  sac  present. 
Type  species:  M.  ambiguus  Vaillant,   1863. 

Railliett  (1893,  p.  313)  places  Polonio's  Taenia  im 
butiformis  of  wild  geese  in  this  genus  as  a  species  in- 
quirenda.  but  I  can  not  recognize  Polonio's  description 
and  figure  as  supporting  this  view  (vide  p.  58).  This 
genus  would,  therefore,  according  to  my  view,  be 
witJiout  any  represeutalivt'  among  the  parasites  of  do- 

iSyn.  1658,  Sclerolepiduta  Weinland  (hard-shell  tapewoiiiis>; 
Cysticaae;  Cystotaenlae. 


585 

mesticated  birds.  The  type  species  M.  ambiguus  is 
found  in  Gennetta  gennetta  (Linn6,  1758)  [Viverra 
jjenetta],  and  one  species.  M.  lineatus  (Goeze,  1782) 
Rnilliett,  1803,  is  found  in  doo^s  and  cats. 

Subfamily   DTPYLTDIINAK. 

(1858.  Malarolppidota  Weinland— Soft-shell  tapeworms:  186^. 
Cystoideae  T^iiokart;  Cystoidei;  Cystoddotaeniae;  Taenia 
(Miorotaenla). 

Diagnosis:  Head  with  4  suckers:  rostellum  generally  armed; 
genital  pores  lateral  Cmarginall,  single  or  double;  eg^  with  thin 
transparent  shells,  frequently  arranged  in  egg  sacs,  in  some 
cases  scattered  through  the  segments;  larval  stage  a  cy.stlcer- 
cold;  adults  in  birds  and  mammals.  Type  genus:  Dlpylidium 
■R.  TyPuckart.  ISfiS. 

Probably  all  of  the  Taeniidae  of  birds  belonjj  to  this 
subfamily,  which  is  at  present  divided  into  nine  genera 
The  tapeworms  of  domesticated  fo-wls  are  confined  to 
the  five  genera:  Totugnia.  Davainea.  Dicranotania, 
Prepanidotaenia.  and  Echinocotyle. 

I.   Genital  pores  double  and  opposite.    Suckers  unarmed. 

Three  different  genera  have  been  proposed  in  the  subfamily 
Dipylidiina-e  for  forms  with  double  and  opposite  genital  pores, 
but  they  have  been  very  poorly  defined  from  one  another. 

The  genus  Dipylidium  contains  species  which  infest  mammals 
and  with  D.  caninum  as  type  species  will  unquestionably 
stand  as  a  good  genus.  In  birds  several  forms  with  double 
genital  pores  have  also  been  described.  Taenia  digonopora 
Pas<iuale  in  chiekens  and  Taenia  bifaria  Siebold  In  Aythya 
nyroca  (Nyroca  leucophthalma)  have  been  placed  by  Diamare 
(1893A)  in  a  new  genus  Cotugnia,  which,  however,  he  fails  to 
define  distinctly  from  Dipylidium,  and  which  must  unquestion- 
ably be  suppressed  unless  better  characters  are  brought  to  its 
support.  Diamare  (1893A)  has  also  proposed  the  genus  Ama- 
bilia  for  Taenia  lamelligera  in  the  flamingo  (Phoenicopterus 
antiquorum). 

Too  little  is  known  of  the  other  forms  described  as  possess- 
ing double  genital  pores  to  allow  a  determination  of  their  gen- 
eric  affinities,    and    speculation    in    this   direction    would   simplv 

37»-lI 


580 

complicate  matters;  the  furms  which  must  be  taken  iiitu  con- 
sideration are  Taenia  polymorpha  Kudolphi,  1819,  pars  (as  de- 
termined by  Krabbe  1869,  p.  301)  from  Recurvirostra  avocetta 
and  "Taenia  lavis  Bloch  (Diesing)"  (see  Krabbe,  1869,  p.  302), 
from  Aythya  ferina  (Fuligula  ferina). 

In  deference  to  my  Italian  colleague  Diamare,  I  adopt  his 
genera  provisiionally,  postponing  final  opinion  in  regard  to  them 
until  his  more  detailed  publication  appears. 

a.     Two  s\ilmiedlan  ovaries  in  each  .seKiiieiit. 

a'.     Hooks  on  rostelluni  arranged  In  several  rows. 

Genus  DIPYLIOIUM  K.     Leuckart,   1863.1 

(1858,    Alyselminthus    Zeder,    1800,    partim    Weinland.) 

Diagnosis:  Rostellum  retractile,  armed  with  several  trans- 
verse rows  of  alternating  hooks;  hooks  with  small  roots,  the 
base  being  discoidal;  mature  segments  elongate  with  double 
sets  of  genital  opgans;  pores  double  and  op'posite;  testicles  very 
numerous,  scattered  through  the  median  field;  ovary  bilobled; 
vitellogene  glands  distal;  uterus  at  first  reticulate  among  the 
testicles,  finally  resolving  itself  into  independent  egg  sacs  con- 
taining one  or  several  ova;  ova  with  double  transparent  mem- 
branes.    Typ^e  species:  D.  caninum  (Linne,   1767). 

No  members  of  this  genus  have  as  yet  been  recorded 
from  birds.  The  type  species  D.  caninum  inhabits  thi' 
intestine  of  dogs,  cats,  and  man;  its  larval  stage  lives 
in  fleas  (Pulex  seri'aticeps  P.  irritans)  and  lice  fTricho- 
dectes  canis). 

a'.     Hooks  on  head  arranged  in  a  single  row. 

Genns  COrtJGNIA  Diamare,   18M.     (Gen.  Inq.). 

Diagnosis:  Head  large,  with  a  rudimentary  retractile  rostel- 
lum armed  with  a  large  number  of  very  minute  booklets  ar- 
ranged in  a  single  row.  prong  thick  and  short,  without  dorsal 
root,  with  ventral  root  thin  and  elongate  toiward  the  point. 
Suckers   large    and    unarmed.     Mature    segments   broader   than 

iFor  full  ijihliography  consult  Damare's  monograph  (1893)  II 
Oenere  Dipylidium  I^kt.  <  Atti.  R.  Accad.  Scienze  fische  e 
matrmatiche.  Vol.  VI.  ser.  2a,  No.  7.  31  pages,  3  plates.  Care 
should,  however,  be  exercised  in  accepting  the  dates  given  by 
Diamare  as  many  typographical  eirors  ha\e  crept  intu  the 
bibliogrnphy. 


587 

long.  Genital  organs  double,  opening  separately  each  on  its 
respective  lateral  margin.  Uterus  composed  of  egg  sacs.  Type 
species:  Cotugnia  digonopora  (Pas<iuale,  1S90)  Diamare,  1893. 

This  genus  \Yas  established  by  IJiamare  lor  a  tape- 
worm which  occurs  in  chickens.  The  diagnosis  as  at 
pi-eseut  given  by  Dianiai-e  fails,  in  my  opinion,  to  sep- 
arate the  genus  distinctly  from  Dipylidium.  Tavo 
species  have  been  described,  but  sufficiency  of  details 
in  the  specific  diagnoses  does  not  allow  a  satisfactory 
morphological  distinction  at  present. 

<   Fitund   in   chickens    C.  digonopora. 

(   Found    in    ducks    T.  hifaria. 

3.  COTUGNIA    DIGONOPORO    (Pasquale,     1S90)    Diamare,     1S93.        The    dou- 
ble-pored   chicken    tapeworm. 

(1890,    Taenia    digonopora    Pasquale.) 

(PI.  I,  figs.  1-11.) 

Diagnosis:  Strobila  40ni"i  to  80n^m  broad  and  in  contracted 
condition  about  1mm  thick;  head  1.4mm  by  1.12mm;  rostellum 
with  a  crowded  crown  (in  a  single  row)  of  very  small  hooks  8.35 
//  long;  base  of  rostellum  0.22mm  by  0.15mm;  suckers  glo'bular, 
prominent,  0.35mm  in  diameter.  Neck  short.  Anterior  seg- 
ments broader  than  long,  posterior  segments  longer  than  broad. 
Genital  pores  double  in  about  the  middle  of  the  lateral  margins; 
2  ovaries  in  each  segment;  eggs  evidently  arranged  in  egg  sacs. 

Life  history:  Unknown. 

Host:    Chicken   (Gallus  domesticus)    by   Pasquale. 

Geographical    distribution:    Abyssinia,    by    Pasquale. 

Pasquale  (1890)  found  this  worm  quite  common  in 
chickens  in  Massowah  and  thinks  it  probable  that  the 
poor  condition  of  the  fowls  was  due  to  its  presence. 
It  was  frequently  present  in  the  caeca  as  well  as  in 
the  small  intestine. 


i.  COTUtJMA     BIFARIA     (von     Slcbuld,      IS-IS)     Inaiiiare,      1M3.         The     dou- 
blc-iiuicU     duck     taueworiii. 

(184S,    Taiiiia    lufaiia    von    Siebold;    1871,    T.    tuberculala    Krefft 
(nee    Rudolphi,    1819).) 

(PI.   II,   figs.   12-17.) 

Diagnosis:  Strobila  39"im  to  90"im  long  by  (?)  broad.  Head 
triangular,  with  conical,  pointed,  (?)  unarmed  Tostellum  and 
4  small  unarmed  circular  suckers;  neck  short.  Proximal  seg- 
ments small,  narrow,  gradually  enlarged,  and  rectangular; 
distal  segments  the  largest,  subquadrate.  Genital  pores  double, 
one  each  side  in  about  the  middle  of  the  margin,  prominent  in 
sexually  active  segments.  Male  organs:  Testicles  few  in  num- 
ber; each  vas  deferens  inflated  into  a  vesicula  seminalis  near 
the  anterior  margin  of  the  segment,  so'mewhat  laterally  of  the 
median  line;  from  here  the  seminal  canal  runs  diagonally  to 
the  sirrus  pouch,  which  is  large;  cirrus  covered  with  minute 
spines.  Female  oi-gans:  Not  well  understood;  evidently  2  ovar- 
ies present  in  the  posterior  portion  of  the  segment,  one  each 
side  of  the  median  line. 
Life  history:  Unknown. 

Type   specimen:    Collection    Siebold    in    British   Museum. 
Hosts:  African  Teal  (Aythya  nyroca),  by  von  Siebold;  White- 
eyed   duck,   A.   australis   (Gould),    by   Krefft. 

Geographical   distribution:    by   von    Siebold;    Aus- 

tnalia,    by   Krefft. 

Von  Siebold  (1848,  p.  147)  mentions.  Taenia  bifaria  from  the 
intestine  of  Anas  leucophthalmos  (=Aythya  nyroca).  The 
specimens  possessed  double  genital  pores  similar  to  D.  caninum. 
Monticelli  (1889,  p.  325)  examined  these  specimens,  preserved 
in  the  British  Museum,  and  gave  a  short  diagnosis.  In  another 
paper  (1891,  pp.  151-153)  he  gives  a  more  extended  description, 
together  with  figures.  He  did  not  observe  hooks  on  the  head 
hut  will  not  deny  their  presence.  Monticelli  states  that  Krefffs 
species  "T.  tubercolata"  (=T.  tuberculata),  described  from 
Aythya  australis  (Gould),  is  identical  with  T.  bifaria.  Diamare 
(1893.  p.  12)  places  T.  bifaria  in  the  genus  Cotugnia. 

b.  One  median   ovary   In   each   segment. 

Genus  AMABILIA  DIamare,    1893.     (Gen.    Inq.). 

Diagnosis:  Avian  cestode  with  double  lateral  genital  pores; 
double  cirri;  ovary  single  and  medium.  Type  species:  Amabilia 
lamelligera   (Owen,   1835)    Diamare,    1893. 


589 

This  genus  was  proposed  recently  in  a  preliminary  communi- 
cation by  Diamare.  A  more  complete  knowledge  of  the  worm 
is  necessary  before  it  will  be  possible  to  judge  whether  the 
genus  is  well  founded  or  not.  No  member  of  the  genus  has  yet 
been  recorded  in  domesticated  fowls,  but  the  type  and  only 
species  Is  found  in  the  flamingo. 

6.  AMA3IL.IA  UAMELLIGERA  (Owen,   1835)   Diamare,   1893. 

1835,    Taenia    lamelligera    Owen.) 

(PI.    II,    figs.    18-20.) 

Diagnosis:  Strobila  120mm  to  170mm  long,  10.5mm  broad.  2.1">m 
thick.  Head  almost  globular;  rostellum  cylindrical,  obtuse; 
armature?  Neck  absent;  segments  very  short.  Genital  pores 
double;  ovary  single  and  median.  Ova  segregated  near  base 
of  i)enis. 

Hosts:  Flamingoi  (Phoenicopterus  antiquorum). 

Geographical  distribution:  ?  by  Sykes;  France  by  Gervais;  ? 
Sardinia   (?  Cagllari)   by  Ficalbi. 

II.  Genital  pores  single.    Suckers  armed  or  unarmed. 

A.  Suckers  unarmed:  genera  Hymenoleijis,  Dicranotaenia. 
and  Drepanidotaenia. 

Genus    HYMENOLEPIS   Weinland,    1858. 

(18.58,    Diplacanthus    Weinland    (nee    L.    Agassiz).) 

Diagnosis:  Strobila  small  (filiform).  Head  small,  provided 
with  a  retractile  rostellum,  well  developed  and  armed  with  a 
single  crown  of  24-30  booklets,  or  rudimentary  and  unarmed. 
(Neck  long.  Segments  serrate,  much  broader  than  long,  rarely 
less  than  150  in  number.)  Genital  pores  marginal,  sinistral, 
the  female  surface  of  the  proglottid  representing  ventral. 
Testicles   few,   generally   3   i.n  eacli   segment,   one  left  and  two 

lOwen  states  that  his  specimens  were  collected  by  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Sykes  "in  a  Flamingo,  Phoenicopterus  ruber. 
Linn."  Diamare  states  that  his  own  specimens  were  collected 
by  "Professor  Ficalbi,  della  R.  Universita  di  Cagliari,"  from 
"Phoenicojiterus  roseus."  According  to  Dr.  T.  S.  Palmer,  the 
Old  World  flamingoes  are  P.  antiquorum  Temm.  (syn.  P.  roseus 
Pallas),  P.  erythraeus,  and  P.  minor;  the  New  World  flamin- 
goes are  P.  ruber  Linn.,  a*id  P.  ignipalliatus.  In  Owen's  time, 
however,  all  flamingoes  were  included  under  the  name  P.  intber 
Linn.  As  it  was  not  stated  where  Sykes  collected  his  mater- 
ial it  is  impossible  to  determine  the  host  species  definitely,  but 
upon   Dr.   Palmer's  advice  I   take  P.  antiquorum  as  host. 


500 

» 

right  of  the  median  line.  Gravid  segments  transformed  into 
a  sac  full  of  eggs;  eggs  surrounded  by  3  shells  separated  one 
from  another.  Inner  .^In-ll  without  pyriform  body,  but  oc- 
casionally with  a  small  knob  at  each  pole.  Larva  is  a  Crypto- 
cystis  or  Staphylocystis;  intermediate  host  an  insect  or  myria- 
pode.     Type  species:   H.    diminuta   (Rud.,    1S19). 

(Revised  generic  characters  from  Blanchard,  ISOIC,  pp.  49-uO. 
I  inclose  in  brackets  several  characters  which  I  can  hardly  look 
upon  as  generic.     For  bibliography  see  R.  Blanchard,  1891C.) 

Weinland  proposed  this  genus  with  Taenia  flavopunctata  as 
type,  but  as  this  form  is  identical  with  taenia  diminuta  the 
name  H.  diminuta  is  here  inserted  as  type  species.  At  the 
same  time  he  proposed  a  genus  Diplacanthus  (nee  L.  Agassiz) 
with  Taenia  nana  von  Siebold  as  type  species.  The  term  Dip- 
lacanthus must  drop,  as  it  is  preoccupied,  and  there  seems  to 
be  no  good  grounds  for  separating  H.  nana  generically  from 
H.   diminuta. 

Weinland  divided  Hymenolepis  into  two  subgenera:  (1)  Lep- 
idotrias  Weinland,  1858  (with  3  eggshells)  with  H.  murina 
(Dujardin,  1845)  Weinland,  1858,  as  type  species,  and  including 
Taenia  scalaris,  scutigera,  tiara,  pistillum,  microstoma,  nasuta, 
undulata,  serpentulus,  cratepiformis,  sinuosa  and  flavopunc- 
tata;  (2)  Dilepis  Weinland,  1858  (with  2  eggshells),  with  T. 
angulata  Rud.  as  type  species,  and  containing  T.  purpurata, 
porosa  and  lanceolata.  Of  these  forms  T.  sinuosa  (vide  Drep- 
anidotaenia  sinuosa  p.  604)  and  T.  lanceolata  (vide  Dr.  lanceo- 
lata p.  597)  occuer  in  domestic  fowls. 

Most  of  the  species  of  this  genus  are  parasitic  iu 
maiumals,  but  Weinland  included  a  number  of  avian 
tapeworms  in  Hymenolepis.  Blanchard  (1891  C,  pp. 
(;S-G9),  Jiscusses  the  l'(M-ms  and  concludes  that  only 
four  avian  species  can  be  included  here  with  any  dc 
<>Tee  of  probability.  These  species  mentioned  below 
do  not  occur  in  domesticated  fowls. 

Hymenolepsis  serpentulus  (Schrank.  llflS)  Weinland.  1S.")S. 
(fiyn.  1798,  Taenia  serpentulus  Scrank  [nee  Duj.,  1845].  found  in 
Oriolus  galbula,  Corvus  cornix,  C.  corone.  C.  frugilegus.  C.  mon- 
edula.  Nucifraga  caryocatartes,  (larrulns  glandarius.  Pica  cau- 
data.   Picus  aurulentus. 

Hymcnnlepis  angulata   (Rud..  ISKi)   W'-inlaiid.   IS.'.S,     (Syn.  ISIO, 


Taenia  angulata  Rud.;  1845,  T.  sei-pentulus  Duj.  [nee  Schrank, 
1798];  found  in  Nucifraga  caryocatactes,  Turdus  atrigularis,  T. 
iliacus,  T.  merula,  T.  musicus,  T.  pilaris,  T.  saxatilis,  T,  toi- 
quatus,  T.  vlscivoius,   Oiiolus  galbula.  Pica  eaudata. 

Hymenolepis  nasuta  (Rud.,  1S02),  Weinland,  1858.  (Syn.  1802, 
Taenia  nasuta  Rudolphi);  found  in  Parus  major,  P.  caudatus, 
P.   Coeruleus,  P.   cristatus,   P.  palustris. 

Hymenolepis  farciminalis  (Batsch,  1786),  R.  Bl.,  1891.  (Syn. 
1786,  Taenia  farciminalis  Batsch;  1845,  T.  undulata  Duj.);  found 
in   Sturnus  vulgaris,  Garrulus  glandarius. 

Genus  DICRANOTAENIA  Rallliet,    1892. 

Diagnosis:  Ru^^tellum  i)ruv;ded  with  a  single  row  of  short, 
uniform  hooks,  generally  few  (10-26)  in  number,  with  the  ven- 
tral root  equal  to  or  longer  than  the  dorsal  root,  and  farming 
with  the  prong  a  small  pitchfork.  Type  species:  Dicranotaenia 
coronula  (Dujardin)   Railliet. 

Development:  The  larval  cysticercoids  develops  in  small, 
crustaceans.  • 

From  the  characters  thus  far  given  it  is  very  ditVuiili 
to  distinguish  this  genus  from  Hymenolepis. 

C  Genital  jx)res  alternate;  rostellum  with  12 

1  <      hooks  32  /I  long;  found  in  chickens D.  sphenoides,  p.  595 

(Genital    pores    unilateral     2 

(  Rostellum  with  18  to  26  hooks  IZ  fi    to  17  /z 

2  <      long;  found  in  ducks D.  coronula,  p.  591 

(  Rostellum  with  10  hooks  3 


'i< 


(  Hooks  27   fi   to  S2  ft  long;  found  in   swans 

and    big   scaup   duck    D.  aequabilis.  p.  593 


Hooks    47    //   to   66   /i   long;    found    in    wild 


L      ducks     D.  furcigera,  p.  594 

a.  Genital  pores  unilateral. 

6.  DICRANOTAENIA    CORONULA    (Pujanlin.    1S4:.)    Railliet.     1892. 

(1.S45,  Taenia  coronula  Duj.) 

[PI.   Ill,  figs.  21-28.-| 

Diagnosis:  120mni  to  190ni'i'  long.  1.5mm  to  :lmm  broad.  Heail 
.almost  rhomboidal.  0.20mm  to  0.22mm;  cuckers  prominent,  angular, 
irregular.  0.066min  to  0.09mm  jn  diameter;  rostellum  thick,  0.09mm 
by  0.06mm.  surrounded  by  a  simple  crown  of  18-26  hooks  9  « 
to  14  fi    (Dujardin).  14    '/  to  l.'^  //   (Krabbe).  1."?  ii  to  17  //  (Railliet) 


592 

lung.  Antei'ior  segments  very  short;  following  segmenlis  grad- 
ually increase  in  size.  Genital  pores  unilateral.  Penis  60  ^ 
to  80  u  (Duj.)  110  fi  (Krabbe)  long  by  30  u  to  53  «  broad,  but 
able  to  swell  to  80  n  covered  with  minute  spines.  Hooks  of 
embryo  8  fi.      Internal  anatomy? 

Development:  Cysticercoid,  probably  in  mussel  crabs  (Cy- 
pris  ovum  Jur.,  Cypris  cinerea,  Cypria  ophthalmica  Jur.  and 
Candona  Candida. 

Hosts:  Tame  ducks  (Anas  boschas  dom.);  Mallard  duck  (A. 
boschas   L.);   European   Golden   Eye   (Glaucionetta   clangula). 

Geographical  distribution:  France  (at  Rennes,  by  Dujardiii; 
at  Alfort,  by  Railliet);  Denmark  (in  Zealand  by  Krabbe);  Gei- 
many  (in  Bavaria  by  von  Siebold,  after  Krabbe;  in  Munich  by 
von  Willemoes-Stihm,  after  Krabbe,  1882).  No  epidemics  re- 
ported. 

Dujardin  (1845,  p.  574)  described  this  species  from  parasites 
found  in  ducks  at  Rennes;  Krabbe  (1869,  pp.  317-318)  found  the 
same  species  in  domesticated  ducks  and  adds  a  few  observa- 
tions, chiefly  measurements;  he  pites  it  from  Siebold's  collection 
(from  Glancionetta  clanula)  and  in  1882,  p.  356,  cites  it  from  von 
Willemoes-Suhm  (from  Anas  boschas  fera).  Railliet  (1893,  p. 
303)  has  found  young  tapeworms  in  the  domesticated  duck  at 
Alfort,  which  he  determined  as  belonging  to  this  species,  al- 
though the  dorsal  root  of  the  hooks  were  much  more  slender 
than  those  figured  by  Krabbe.  These  appear  to  be  the  only 
observations  upon  the  adult  worm,  which  as  at  present  diag- 
nosed, is  based  entirely  upon  external  characters,  and  which, 
therefore,   should  be  restudied  anatomically. 

Several  authors  have  found  larval  cestodes  in  fresh-water 
mussel  crabs  which  they  look  upon  as  the  young  stage  of  Dicr. 
coronula. 

Mrazek  (1890)  [in  a  publication  which  on  account  of  the  lan- 
guage I  am  unable  to  read,  I  quote  from  Moniez  (1891,  p.  26) 
and  Railliet  (1893)]  has  found  a  cysticercoid  in  Cypris  ovum 
Jur.  and  in  Cypris  ophthalmica  Jur.  (Cypris  compressa  Raird) 
which  measures  140  «  to  190  u  in  diameter,  and  is  provided 
with  22  to  31  hooks  corresponding  in  form  and  dimensions  to 
those  figured  by  Krabbe,  except  that  the  dorsal  root  is  some- 
what more  slender;  the  tail  is  3  to  5  times  as  long  as  the  body 
and  bears  the  6  hooks  (8  /«  long)  of  the  oncosphere.  Rosseter 
(1890)  describes  and  figures  the  cysticercoid  of  D.  coronula  from 
Cypris  cinerea  in  Kent.  Moniez  (1891,  p.  26)  states  that  this 
cysticercoid  is  rather  common  in  France,  where  he  has  found 
it  in  Cypria  ophthalmica  and  Candona  Candida;  he  also  records 
it   in   Cy.   nphthalmiia    from   Durham  and  from   China. 


593 

While  it  will  be  noticed  that  tliis  rysticercoid  is  \eiy  simi- 
lar to  Dicr.  eoronula  and  that  in  all  probability  it  represents 
its  larval  stage,  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  the  experimental 
proof  of  the  relationship  of  these  organisms  has  not  yet  been 
forthcoming,  and  fuirthermore.  that  even  the  adult  form  is 
very  superficially  described. 

7    DICRANOTAENIA   AEQUABILIS   (Rudolph),    1810)    Rallllet,    18S3 

(1810.    Taenia   aequabiiis   Rudolph!.) 

[PI.    Ill,    figs.    29-30.1 

Diagnosis:  IGOmm  to  SSOmm  long,  3.2mm  to  4.6mm  broad.  Head 
subglobular;  rostellum  obovate,  armed  with  a  simple  crown  of 
10  hooks  27  //  to  32  /u  long;  suckers  rather  large,  orbicular, 
prominent.  Neck  very  short.  Anterior  segments  very  short  and 
thin;  following  segments  trapezoidal,  much  broader  than  long, 
posterior  angles  acute,  but  becoming  more  rounded  near  the 
posterior  end.  Genital  pores  unillateraJ.  Development  un- 
known. 

Hosts:  European  swan  (Olor  cygnus);  ?  domesticated  swan 
(O.  cygnus  dom.);  Widgeon  (Anas  penelope);  European  scaup 
duck   (Aythya   marila). 

Geographical  distribution:  Pomerania  (by  Rudolphi  and  Crep- 
lin);    Schleswag    (by    Friis).     Epidemics:    None   reported. 

Like  the  preceding  species,  this  foi'iu  has  been  seen 
but  a  few  times  and  is  established  entirely  upon  extcr 
nal  characters.  ' 

Rudolphi  collected  it  originally  and  described  it  in  ISIO  (pp. 
l^fj-l.^.G)  from  wild  swan.  In  1819  (p.  15.5)  he  gives  "Anas  olor" 
as  a  host.  According  to  Diesing  (1850,  p.  527)  Bremser  found  it 
in  Olor  cygnus.  Bellingham  (1844,  p.  320)  quotes  it  for  "Cyg- 
nus ferus  and  Mareca  penelope."  Krabbe  (1869,  pp.  316-317) 
examined  the  originals  and  figured  the  hooks;  he  cites  in  fur- 
ther from  Creplin's  collection,  and  mentions  that  Friis  also 
found  it.  "Gervais  and  van  Beneden.  afterwards  von  Linstow. 
cite  it,  probably  erroneously,  from  the  domesticated  swan" 
(Rallliet).  Von  IJnstow  (1878.  p.  158)  records  it  for  Fuligula 
marila   (—Aythya   matila).    Init    does   not   give   the  collector. 

:is  TT 


504 

8.    DICnANOTAENIA    FURCIGKRA    (Riidnlphl,    1819)    Stiles,    1896. 

(IM'J,  ■•'!'.  iiiluuala  Batsch"  ol'  Kuihilphi;  lM:i,  'J.  iiirriKeia 
Rudolphi  ex  Nitzseh,  MS.;  1845,  T.  rhomiboidea  Duj.;  1893, 
Dicranotaenia    rhomboidea    (Dujardin,    1845)    Radlliet.) 

(  ?  1779,  Taenia  lineata  Bloch;  ?  1786,  T.  trilineata  Batch;  ? 
1790,  T.  Anatis  j8  lineata  Gmelin;  ?  1802, T.  longirostris  Frolioh 
[nee  Rud.,  1819]  ?  1803,  Halysi.s  trilineata  (Batseh,  1786)  Zeder; 
?  1858,  T.  conlca  Molin.) 

[PI.  Ill,   figs.  31-34  (35-36).-] 

Diagnosis:  100"'m  to  35"""  long  by  0.5  to  1mm  broad.  Head 
0.46mm  to  0.52mni^  ihomboidal,  or  prolonged  anteriorily  in  a  tube 
containing  a  thick  ovoide,  oblong,  rostellum  0.22mm  to  0.25min 
long,  armed  with  a  single  crown  of  hooks  65  fi  to  Q6  /i  (Dujardin). 
48  /u  to  58  /U  (Krabbe)  long.  Suckers  0.18mm  in  diameter.  Seg- 
ments trapezoidal,  2  to  3  times  longer  than  broad.  Genital 
pores  unilateral.  Penis  9.7  fi  broad,  smooth.  Eimbryo  36  ft; 
hooks  of  embryo  14  /i  (Krabbe),  16  /«  to  17  //  (Dujardin).  De- 
velopment not  known. 

Hosts:  Mallard  ducks  (Anas  boschas)  by  Dujardin,  Nitzch, 
Krabbe,  Frils;  Pochard  (Aythya  ferina);  is  erroneously  stated 
to  have  been  found  in  domestic  ducks,  according  to  Railliet. 
See  also  hosts  for  T.  conica,  T.  lineata,  and  T.  trilineata,  in 
chart  at  end  of  text,  taken  from  von  Linstow,  1878,  and  others. 

Geographical  distribution:  France  (by  Dujardin),  Italy  (by 
de  Ninni),  Iceland  (Krabbe),  Schleswig  (Friis).  Epidemics, 
none  recorded. 

The  early  history  of  this  worm  is  buried  under  indefinite  and 
incomplete  statements  upon  superficially  studied  material. 
We  can,  however,  trace  the  species  with  certainty  as  far  back 
as  Rudolphi,  1819,  p.  528.  Nitzseh  collected  some  worms  from 
the  Mallard  in  1816,  and  sent  them  to  Rudolphi.  evidently  under 
the  MS.  label  Taenia  furcigera.  Rudolphi  determined  the 
worms  as  T.  trilineata  Batseh,  1786,  which  according  to  Krabbe 
(1869,  p.  315),  (Batsch's  original  not  at  my  disposal),  is  a  name 
Batseh  introduced  for  Bloch's  T.  lineata  of  1779.  Krabb?  after- 
ward examined  Nitzsch's  specimens,  and  states  (1869.  p.  315) 
that  they  are  identical  with  T.  rhomboidea  Dujardin.  1845.  I 
adopt   Nitzsch's  name   for   the   reasons   given   in   the   footnote. i 

1A  very  delicate  point  of  nomenclature  is  involved  in  this 
ease,  and  one  which  has  been  entirely  overlooked  by  helmin- 
thologists.  In  the  first  place,  the  name  trilineata  should  be 
.suppressed  because  (Krabbe,  1869,  p.  .315)  it  wa'?  originally  in- 
tended for  a  species  (i.  e.,  T  lineata  from  A.  penelope.  A.  circia. 
Dafila    acuta)    already    named    and    figured.     Accordingly,    tri- 


505 

Dujardin  (1845,  pp.  574-575,  T.  rhombuidea)  found  a  30mm 
frag-ment  and  6  young  worms  ]omin  to  18mm  long  in  a  wild  duck, 
in  which  'Taenia  megalops"  was  also  present.  In  Iceland 
Krabbe  collected  numerous  young  specimens  of  T.  rhomboidea 
from  wild  ducks  (A.  boschas  fera);  they  were  10"im  long  by 
O.omm  broad;  the  rostellum  was  armed  with  10  hooks,  47  " 
to  58  /i  long;  genital  apparatus  not  visible.  Friis  (Krabbe,  1869) 
collected  the  same  species  in  Schleswig,  and  Krabbe  thinks 
that  the  worm  which  Molin  (1858,  p.  139;  1861,  p.  253,  Taf.  VII, 
figs.  1-2  )found  in  wild  ducks  in  Padua  and  described  under  the 
name  T.  conica  is  also  identical  with  Dujardin's  T.  rhomboidea. 
Molin  'records  his  form  from  Anas  boschas;  von  Linstow  (1878) 
gives  it  for  A.  boschas  dom.,  but  not  for  A.  boschas.  Railliet 
(1893,  p.  303)  places  T.  rhomboidea  in  the  genus  Dicranotaenia, 
and  calls  attention  to  the  error  in  Diesing  (1850  p.  543)  of  in- 
cluding T.  trilineata  as  a  parasite  of  the  domestic  duck — an 
error  repeated  by  von  Linstow  Railliet  thinks  that  T.  Trilineata 
Batsch,  17S6,  is  identical  with  T.  rhomboidea,  although  Du- 
jardin (1S45)  thinks  that  T.  trilineata  is  simply  a  variety  of  T. 
sinuosa. 

There  seems  no  way  either  to  prove  or  disprove  what  species 
T.  trilineata  Batsch  (=T.  lineata  Bloch)  really  represents,  un- 
less the  types  can  be  procured.  In  view  of  the  poor  descriptions 
T  intend  for  the  present  to  ignore  these  specific  names  entirely. 

b.  Genital   pores  alternate. 

9.    DICRANOTAENIA    SPHENOIDES   (RaU'.Iet,    1892)    Railliet,    1896. 
(1872,   Taenia  cuneata  von  Linstow    [nee   Batsch,   1786 1;  189-,   T. 
sphenoides  Raill.;   1893,   Dicranotaenia  cuneata  (von   Linstow, 
1872)  Raill.) 

[PI.   IV,   figs.  37-42.] 
Diagnosis:  Body  2mm  (von  Linstow)  to  4mni  (Magalhaes)  long. 

lineata  should  never  have  been  proposed,  and  hence  can  not 
be  taken  into  consideration  under  any  circumstances.  Krabbe 
states  that  the  description  and  figures  of  T.  lineata  are  so  im- 
perfect that  it  is  not  possible  to  determine  the  species  with 
certainty,  although  fro-m  Bloch's  figures  it  is  not  probable  that 
his  worm  is  identical  with  T.  rhomboidea.  This  statement  re- 
lieves us  from  considering  T.  lineata  further  unless  Blooh's 
specimens  can  be  found.  Authors  have  generally  accepted 
Dujardin's  specific  name,  but  the  publication  of  Nitzsch's  name 
by  Rudolphi  establishes  the  date  of  T.  furcigera  as  1819.  and 
associates  the  name  with  Rudoplhi's  description.  Krabbe's  es- 
tablishment of  the  identity  of  T.  rhomboidea  with  T.  furcigera 
must  naturally  suppress  Dujardin's  name.  Accordingly. 
Nitzsch's  specimens  are  the  oldest  types  as  yet  consulted, 
and  nothing  remains  at  present  but  to  accept  Rudolphi's  pub- 
lication  of   this   name 


5fl() 

by  imm  broad,  wedge-shaped;  head  200  Ifi  long  by  205  fi  broad, 
contracted  posteriorly  to  form  the  neck;  retractile  rotellum  cyl- 
indrical, 150  fi]  long  by  37.5  fi  broad,  bearing  12  (von  Linstow, 
Magalhaes,  Plana)  or  12-14  Grassi  &  Rovelli)  hooks  which  meas- 
ure 25  f^  (Magalhaes)  or  32  //  (other  authors)  long;  dorsal  root 
of  hooks  short  and  same  length  as  ventral  root.  Suckers  round 
to  oval,  75  u  in  diameter,  unarmed.  Segments  12-13  in  number, 
increasing  gradually  in  size  from  the  first  to  the  last,  so  that 
the  entire  body  is  wedge-shaped.  Genital  pores  irregularly 
alternate,  situated  at  the  anterior  angle  of  the  segments;  male 
organs  appear  in  first  segments,  testicles  "numerous,"  vitel- 
laria  seen  in  ninth  and  following  segments;  mature  eggs  seen 
only  in  twelfth  and  thirteenth  segments;  they  lie  in  12-1:?  large 
vesicles  which  finally  break,  the  eggs  being  scattered  through 
the  segments.  Eggs  spherical,  42  fi  in  diameter,  with  2  mem- 
branes; hooks  of  oncosphere,  6   /i . 

Development:    Intermediate  host   is  probably   an   earthworm 
(Allobophora  foetida  Eisen).    The  cysticercoid  has  no  tail. 

Host:   Chickens  (Gallus  domesticus). 

Geographical  distribution:  Germany  (von  Linstow);  Italy 
(Grassi    &    Rovelli);    South    America— Brazil    (Magalhaes). 

Von  Linstow  (1872B,  pp.  56-57)  discovered  this  worm  in  chick- 
ens in  Germany  ,and  described  it  as  Taenia  cuneata.  Plana 
(1882,  p.  393-394)  evidently  examined  some  of  von  Linstow's  ori- 
ginals, but  does  not  add  much  to  the  diagnosis.  Grassi  &  Rov- 
elli (18S9A,  p.  404;  1892,  pp.  29-30,  88-90)  found  the  same  species 
in  Italy;  they  found  some  cysticercoids  in  the  earthworm  (Al- 
lobophora foetida),  which  they  believe  represent  the  larval 
stage  of  T.  cuneata.  They  evidently,  however,  did  not  make 
any  experiments  to  determine  this  point,  although  they  state 
that  the  hooks  agree  with  the  hooks  of  T.  cuneata.  This  sup- 
posed intermediate  host  must  therefore  be  subjected  to  experi- 
mentation before  Grassi  &  Rovelli's  statements  are  giv?n  full 
credence.  Magalhaes  (1892,  pp.  145-146)  records  the  i^ame 
species  from  Brazil,  adding  several  important  points  on  the 
anatomy  of  the  worm.  Railliet  (1892,  p.  53)  uses  the  term 
Taenia  sphenoides  for  this  worm,  his  ground  evidently  being 
that  the  term  T.  cuneata  is  already  preoccupied.  In  1893  (p. 
304)  he  reverts  to  the  specific  name  cuneata,  placing  the  form 
in  Dicranotaenia.  By  the  international  rules  the  term  cuneata 
must  fall,  on  which  account  I  accept  the  next  available  name, 
sphenoides.     (See   addendum,   p.   637.) 


597 

Genus   DREPANIDOTAENIA   Rallllet,    1892. 

Diagnosis:  Head  provided  with  a  single  row  of  uniform  hooks, 
few  (8-20)  in  number,  with  dorsal  root  much  longer  than  ventral 
root,  the  latter  always  small;  with  prong  directed  posteriorly 
when  the  rostellum  contracts.  Type  species  Dr.  lanceolata 
(Bloch,   1782)   Railliet  1892. 

Development:    The    larval    stage    (cysticercaid)    of    several 
species  has  been   found  in   small  crustaceans. 

f  Genital  pot'es  alternate;  rositellum 

I        with    16-20    hooks    20-27    //    long; 
1.  •^        Hab:      chickens,      ?      pheasants, 

I        ?    ducks,    pigeons    Dr.  infundibuliformis.  p.  609 

I    Genital  pores  unilateral  2 

2    <    Rostellum    with    10   hooks    .? 

'(    Rostellum    with    8    hooks    4 

Hooks    20    fi    to    23     fi    long;     found     in 
ducks,      domestic     goose,      and     wild 

3^        goosander    Dr.  tenuirostris,  p.  60R 

Hooks  35  //  to  40  /«  long;  found  in  geese..  Dr.  setigera,  p.  605 
Hooks  51  /i  to  61  ft  long;  found  in  geese. ..Dr.  sinuosa,  p.  604 
Hooks  65  ft  to  72  fi  long;  found  in  ducks.. Dr.  anatina.  p.  601 


f 


Hooks  31  fi  to  So  fi  long;  found  in  ducks 

and    geese    Dr.  lanceolata,  p.  597 

^-  \    Hooks  57  fi  long;  found  in  geese  Dr.  fasciata,  p.  598 

j     Hooks  77   /z  to  SO  «    long;  found  in  ducks 

'^       and   geese    Dr.  gracilis,  p.  600 

A.    Genital    pore   unilateral. 

a.    Rcstellum   with   8  hooks. 

10.    DREPANIDOTAENIA   LANCEOLATA   (Bloch,    1782)   Rallllet,    1892.    The 
lanceolate  tapeworm. 

(1727,  Taenia  anserum  Frisch— vide  Rud.,  1810;  1781,  T.  aeutis- 
sima  Pallas,  pars— vide  Krabbe,  1869;  1779,  T.  anservis  Bloch 
—vide  Rud.,  1810;  1782,  T.  lanceolata  Bloch;  1786,  T.  lanceola 
Batsch— vide  Rud.,  1810;  1803,  Halysis  lanceolata  (Bloch,  1782) 
Zeder— vide  Rud.,  1810;  1858,  Hymenolepis  (Dilepis)  lanceolata 
(Bloch,   1782)  Weinland.) 

[PI.  IV,  Figs.  43-53;  PI.  V,  Figs.  54-55.1 

Diagnosis:  30nim  to  130mm  long  by  5nim  to  ISmm  broad.  Head 
very  small,  globular;  rostellum  cylindrical,  slightly  swollen  on 
the  summit,  armed  with  a  single  crown  of  8  hooks  31  ft  to  35  /* 
long:  suckers  rounded.  Neck  very  short,  can  be  retracted  with 
the  head  into  the  anterior  portion  of  the  strobila.  Anterior 
segments  very  short,  the  following  segments  increasing  slightly 


598 

in  length  and  Ijecoiniiig  gradually  broader  lu  within  a  short 
distance  of  the  posteTior  extremity  when  they  become  nar- 
rower, giving  the  body  a  lancet  shape.  Genital  pores  unilat- 
eral, near  anterior  corner  of  segment;  penis  armed  with  spines; 
cirrus-pouch  small;  testicles  3;  female  organs  on  oivposite  side 
of  segment  fro^m  genital  pore  (Feuereisen).  Eggs  with  very 
thin  external  shell  50  jJ-  by  ;i5  //';  hooks  of  oncosiphere  8  //.  De- 
\'elopment:  Unknown. 

Hosts:  Tame  duck  (Anas  boschas  dom.);  black  duck  (Anas 
obscura);  tame  goose  (Anser  anser  dom.);  m'uscovy  duck  (Cai- 
rina  moschata);  whi'te-headed  duck  (Erismatura  leucocephala) ; 
pochard  (Aythya  ferina);  African  teal  (Aythya  nyroca);  red- 
cresteld  pochard  (Aythya  rufina);  flamingo  (Phoenicopterus 
antiquorum). 

Geographical  distribution:  England,  Denmark,  France,  Ger- 
many and  Austria.    Eipidemic  in  1710,  reported  by  Frisch. 

Bloch  (1782,  p.  7-9)  found  this  worml  more  especially  among 
lean  geese;  Goeze  (1782,  pp.  377-383)  says  that  it  is  most  com- 
mon in  lean  geese  which  have  been  allowed  to-  roam;  Dujardin 
(1845,  p.  562)  mentions  T.  lanceolata  as  possessing  10  hooks  and 
irregularly  alternating  genital  pores,  which  makes  it  probable 
that  he  did  not  have  this  species  before  him.  Krabbe  (1869,  pp. 
295-296)  found  this  form  in  77  geese  out  of  40O  examined,  or 
about  20  per  cent.  The  Vienna  catalogue  gives  T.  lanceolata 
and  T.  sinuosa  together  for  19  out  of  139  tame  geese.  The  epi- 
demic of  1710  recorded  by  Frisch  (1781,  pp.  155-156)  is  attributed 
to  this  species.  It  has  beeni  found  by  various  German  authors. 
Megnin  (1881A,  pp.  29-32)  has  found  it  in  ducks  and  geese  in 
France,  Railliet  (1893,  pp.  299-300)  in  Ardennes  France,  Lucet 
in  Loiret,  France.  Railliet  states  that  this  is  the  most  com- 
mon form  in  geese.  Hassall  has  one  specimen  from  Liverpool, 
England. 

Authors  generally  consider  that  there  is  little  or  no  difficulty 
in  recognizing  this  species;  its  anatomy,  however,  is  very  im- 
l)ei-fectly  underPtond. 

n.     UKfflPANIDOTAENIA  FASClAlA  (I?  Rudolphi,  1810J  Krabbe,  IStiU)  Railliet, 

1893. 

(1868,    "T.    setigera   Fiolich,"   1789   of   Feuerisen    [nee   Frolich    v. 

Siebold,    1848];    1869,T.    fasciata    Krabbe.) 
(   ?  1800.   Aly.«elminthus  crenatusi  (Goeze,  1782)  Zeder  pars — vide 
Rud.,  1810;    ?  1S03,   Halysis  crenata  (Goeze,   1782)   Zeder  pars- 
vide  Rud.,  1810;  Taenia  fasciata  Rud.). 

[PI.   V,    figs.   56-66;   PI.   VI,    figs.   67-76;   PI.   VIT.    figs.   77-79.1 
Diagnosis:   Body    60"iiii   to   itionun   king   by   lnnn    to   2"""    broad. 
Head   hemispherical,   enmprpssed.  0.35mm  broad  by  0.25mm  long; 


599 

suckers  oval,  O.Umm  long  by  0.13mm  (posterior)  to  0.06mm  (an- 
terior) broad;  rostellum  long,  thick,  cylindrical  O.aemm 
by  O.Oomm,  armed  on  anterior  end  with  simple  crown  of 
8  hooks  57  /i  to  60  /^  long,  roots  of  about  equal  length.  Neck 
very  long,  much  thinner  than  the  head.  Segments  much 
broader  than  long;  anterior  segments  5  times  as  broad  as  long; 
posterior  segments  3  times  as  broad  as  long,  and  somewhat 
funnel  shaped;  segments  become  0.25mm  thick;  thickness  es- 
pecially in  the  median  line,  which  is  traversed  by  a  dark 
longitudinal  band;  thinner  and  more  transparent  toward  the 
border;  straighter  at  the  angles,  the  strobila  having  a  crenate 
appearance.  Genital  pores  unilaterar  in  anterior  halt  of  mar- 
gin. Calcareous  bodies  absent  from  the  head,  but  present  in 
the  neck  and  increase  distally.  Male  organs  begin  to  develop 
in  ca.  one  hundred  and  twentieth  segment;  3  testicles  present 
in  distal  portion  of  segment,  one  median,  two  lateral;  vas  def- 
erens runs  diagonally  toward  proximal  aporose  corner  of  seg- 
ment, swelling  into  a  vesicula  seminalis;  near  lateral  margin 
it  turns,  runs  parallel  to  anterior  margin  and  leads  to  cirrus 
pouch,  which  also  runs  parallel  to  anterior  margin  of  segment: 
cirrus  pouch  lies  on  aporose  side  of  median  line  and  contains 
a  second  vesicula  seminalis,  which  communicates  with  a  very 
long  cirrus;  genital  cloaca  0.2mm  to  0.3mm  long  by  0.03mm  to 
0.09mm  broad,  the  broader  portion  being  next  to  genital  pore; 
a  row  of  spines  at  the  point  where  the  penis  opens  into  the 
cloaca;  penis  covered  with  minute  spines.  Female  organs  not 
well  understood;  begin  in  ca.  one  hundred  and  forty-fifth  seg- 
ment; a  median  oval  body  and  two  lateral  lobed  bodies  joined 
together;  a  median  receptacurum  seminis  runs  cephalad  and 
diagonally,  continues  as  vagina,  which  runs  parallel  to  anterior 
margin  nearly  entire  breadth  of  segments,  and  opens  into 
cloaca  near  cirrus;  a  second  larger  lobed  body  =  ?  uterus. 

Development:  Cercocystis  Dr.  fasciatae  in  Cyclops  agilis,  re- 
corded by  Mrazek. 

Hosts:  White-fronted  goose  (Anser  albifrons);  graylag  goose 
(A.  anser);  tame  goo.se  (A.  anser  dom.). 

Geographical  distribution:  Denmark  (by  Krabbe);  Germany 
(by   Feuereisen);   Bohemia  (by   Mrazek). 

Zeder  referred  a  tapeworm  which  he  had  found  in  a  goose 
to  T.  crenata  Goeze.  which  was  reported  from  Picus  major  (see 
Krabbe,  1869,  p.  300.)  Rudolphi  (1810,  pp.  139-140)  renamed  the 
species  fasciata.  but  does  not  appear  to  have  examined  it. 
Feuerlsen  (1S68.  pp.  162-190)  then  determined  von  Siebolds  T. 
fasciata   Rud.    as   T.    setigera    Frolich,    1789,    and    the   year   fol- 


600 

lowing  Krabbe  (1869,  p.  300),  stating  that  it  was  impossible  to 
recognize  definitely  what  goose  tapeworm  was  included  under 
the  specific  name  fasciata  by  earlier  authors,  proposed  to  ap- 
ply the  name  to  a  worm  in  geese  provided  with  8  hooks  on  the 
rostellum.  Authors  have  since  Krabbe's  time  adopted  his  form 
as  fasciata.  I  retain  this  name  provisionally,  although  it  has 
no  right  to  stand. 

Mrazek  (1890,  1891)  records  a  cysticercoid  from  Cypris  a^ilis 
which  he  identifies  as  the  larval  stage  of  Taenia  fasciata  Ru- 
dolphi.    He   evidently   made   no   infections. 

12.     DRBPANIDDTAENIA  GRACILIS  i[  ?  Zeder.  1«0S]  Krabbe.  186?)  Rallliet, 

1892. 

(1869,    Taenia   gracilis   Krabbe.) 

(   ?  1782,  Taenia  collo  longissimo  Bloch;   ?  1803  Halysis  gracilis 
Zeder;    ?    1810,    T.    gracilis    (Zeder)    Rud.) 

[PI.    VII,    figs.    80-91;    PI.    VIII,    figs.    92-99.-1 

Diagnosis:  About  270mm  long  by  1.5-2mm  broad.  Head  sub- 
globular;  rostellum  cylindrical,  obtuse,  armed  with  a  simple 
crown  of  8  hooks  77-80  fi  long  (95  H  and  even  103  //  after  Lonn- 
berg).  Neck  very  short.  Anterior  portion  of  body  very  thin 
for  a  considerable  length;  anterior  segments  infundibuliform, 
the  following  segments  gradually  becoming  quadrate,  genital 
pores  unilateral.  Receptaculum  seminis  pyriform;  penis  un- 
armed; genital  sinus  provided  wath   large  spines. 

Development:  Cercocystis  Dr.  gracilis  in  Candona  rostrata  by 
Scott,  in  Cypris  compressa  Baird  (Cypria  ophthalmica  Jurine) 
and  Cyclops  viridls  Fischer  by  Mrazek,  in  Cypria  ophthalmica 
by  Moniez. 

Hosts:  Tame  duck  (Anas  boschas  dom.);  mallard  duck  (A. 
boschas);  widgeon  (Anas  penelope);  tame  goose  (Anser  anser 
dom.);  goosander  (Merganser  merganser);  red-breasted  mer- 
ganser (Merganser  serrator);  common  sheldrake  (Tadorna  ta- 
doina). 

Geographical    distribution:     Denmark,    Germany.     No    epi- 
demics recorded. 

It  is  impossible  to  tell  what  worm  was  referred  to 
under  the  specific  term  gracilis  before  Krabbe's  time; 
the  earlier  descriptions  may  therefore  be  ignored  for 
the  present,  the  names  being  accepted  as  unidentifiable 
synonyms;  it  is  impossible  to  show  that  the  earlier 
wonns   were  not   identical    witli    Ktabbr's   foi-m    from 


00 1 

Auus  boschas  doiii.  The  oulv  i)i>silivcl v  Uiiowu  host 
foi-  the  adult  up  to  Krabbe's  time  is.  therefore,  the 
tame  duck. 

Von  Linstow  (1872 A,  pp.  535-537)  afterwards  found  a  worm 
in  the  goosander  (Merganser  merganser  [Mergus  merganser]) 
which  he  identified  with  Krabbe's  species.  Lonnberg  (1889,  pp. 
9-10,  fig.  1)  found  a  worm  in  Tadorna  vulpanser  which  he  de- 
scribed as  a  new  variety:  T.  gracilis  forma  Tadornae.  The 
hoolis  on  this  worm  were  much  larger  than  those  of  the  type 
specimen,  a  variation  which  Lonnberg  explains  as  due  to  host 
influence.  Lonnberg  (1890,  pp.  10,  30)  also  records  this  form  for 
Mergus   serrator   (^=  Merganser   serrator). 

Von  Linstow  (1872A,  pp.  535-537)  found  a  cysticercoid  meas- 
uring 0.14  by  0.09"ini  in  intestine  of  a  perch  (Perca  fluviatilis), 
which  he  looked  upon  as  the  young  of  Taenia  gracilis.  The 
larva  has  also  been  found  in  certain  fresh-water  crustaceans 
which  probably  represent  the  regular  intermediate  host.  Thus 
Scott  (1891,  p.  314)  noticed  an  object  in  a  mounted  slide  of  Can- 
donarostrata  Brady  &  Norman,  from,  the  Edinburg  district; 
Blanchard  (1891A,  pp.  303-332)  examined  Scott's  preparation 
from  Candona  rostrata,  and  after  a  careful  comparison  of  the 
hooks  of  the  cysticercoid  concluded  that  this  larva  belonged 
in  the  life  cycle  of  Taenia  gracilis.  He  exiplains  von  Linstow's 
linding  this  same  larva  in  a  perch  by  the  fact  that  the  fish 
had  eaten  some  ostracodes.  He  introduces  the  formula — the 
length=:a — c,  the  base^a — b,  in  measuring  the  hooks,  using  it 
as  follows:  For  T.  gracilis  ab:  ac=30-75.  Mrazek  (1891,  p.  128) 
cites  the  lar\'a  for  Cypris  compre-ssa  Baird  and'  Cyclops  viridis 
Fisch,  while  Moniez  (1891,  p.  26)  mentions  it  from  Cypria  oph- 
thalmica  from  China. 

The  larva  referred  to  is  in  all  probability  the  true 
larva  of  this  species,  but  no  infections  have  as  yet  been 
made. 

b.  Rostellum    with   10  hooks. 

13.    DREPANIDOTAENIA    A.VATINA    (Krabbp.    1869)    RallliPl.     1S93. 

(18tjH,    Taenia.    unaliiKi    Kialibe.) 

[PI.    IX,    figs.    100-111;    PI.    X.    figs.    112-115.1 

Diagnosis:  Stroblla  attains  209iii'ii  to  SOOmm  in  length  and 
2mm   to    3"i'i'    in    breadth;    worm    of   TOmin    in    length    has   about 


()02 

050  segments;  nuniljer  of  segments  in  longest  worms  piobajbly 
leaches  2,000.  Head  with  a  simple  crown  of  10  hooks  65  /i-72 
u  long.  Neck  long.  Fully  matured  segTnents  half  as  thick  as 
broad.  Ccnital  pores  unilateral;  copulation  begins  with  about 
the  live  hundredth  segment,  uterus  appears  ca.  70  segments 
later.  Male  organs:  Testicles  3  in  num.ber,  one  on  pore  side, 
two  on  aporose  side  of  segment;  cirrus  pouch  dorsal  of  vagina, 
elongate,  extending  to  or  slightly  beyond  the  longitudinal 
canals,  and  possessing  vesicula  seminalis  in  its  proximal  por- 
tion; vas  deferens  swollen  to  an  elongate  vesicula  seminalis 
near  the  pore-side  testicle.  Female  organs:  Vagina  slightly 
longer  than  cirrus  pouch,  swelling  into  an  enormous  recepta- 
culum  seminis  ventral  of  pore-side  testicle;  ovary  large,  about 
in  median  line;  vitellogene  gland  distal  of  ovary;  shell  gland 
very  small,  dorso-proximal  of  vitellogene  gland;  uterus  trans- 
verse, extending  beyond  longitudinal  canals  into  the  lateral 
field.  Ova  very  characteristic;  elongate  125  /z-175  fi  bj'  90  fJ. 
with  3  shells;  external  shell  thin  and  transparent,  inner  shell 
slightly  constricted  at  lateral  borders  of  the  oncosphere;  on- 
cospheTe  elongate.  50  /i-60  /J,  hooks  10  fi-ll  fJ-  Dorsal  canal 
small,  dorsal  of  ventral  canal;  genital  canals  pass  dorsally 
of  dorsal  and  ventral  canals. 

Larval  stage:  Cysticercoid  develops  in  small  mussel  crabs 
(Cypris  incongTuens  Raimd.;  Cypris  ovata;  Cypris  compressa), 
and  consists  of  three  portions:  (1)  Scolex  with  (a)  armed  ros- 
tellum  and  2  rostellum  sacs,  (b)  fotir  suckers  provided  with  very 
minute  cuticular  booklets  (Schmidt),  and  (c)  long,  narrow  neck 
provided  with  30-40  calcareous  corpuscles;  (2)  a  hollow  cyst  or 
sac,  composed  of  three  layers;  (3)  a  long,  thin  tail,  in  which  the 
6  hooks  Oif  the  oncosphere  are  visible.  The  excretory  system 
can  be  traced  from  the  suckers  to  the  end  of  the  tail,  where 
it  ends  in  a  terminal  vesicle.  Extended,  the  entire  body  may 
measure  ca.  2nim,  the  tail  being  3%  to  4  times  as  long  as  the 
cyst.  The  scolex  is  contracted  into  the  cyst,  which  then  meas- 
ures  0.19mrn    to   0.20mm   by   0.21mm    to   0.23mm,    tail   0.7mm   to  0.8mm. 

Host:  Domesticated  duck  (Anas  bnschas  dom.);  mallard  (A. 
boschas);  pintail  (Daflla  acuta). 

Geographical  distribution:  Pomerania.  by  Creplin;  Zealand 
(Denmark),  by  Gad  and  Krabbe;  Schle.=wig,  by  Friis;  France, 
by    Moniez;    Germany,    by    Schmidt.     No    epidemics    recorded. 

Krabbe  (1869,  pp.  287-288)  found  some  specimens  in  Creplin's 
collection  under  the  label  Taenia  larvis  Bloch,  collected  from 
tame  ducks.  These  worms  agreed  with  others  of  Creplin's 
collection  labeled  sinuosa.  froim  the  same  host,  and  with  a  third 
lot  of  worms  from  Gurlt's  collection  labeled  "Taenia  porposa? 


603 

Anas  boschas  feia,"  the  laltfr  being  in  a  bottle  with  others 
which  appeared  to  be  T.  rhoniboidea.  Friis  found  the  same 
worm  in  wild  ducks  in  Schleswig,  and  Gad  and  Krabbe  found 
it  in  tame  ducks  in  Zealand.  The  worm  was  found  three 
times  in  100  tame  ducks.  Krabbe  (1S82,  p.  353  states  that  Pro- 
fessor Reinhart  found  this  same  species  in  1874  in  Anas  acuta 
[  —  Dafila  acuta]   taken  in  Zealand. 

Mrazek  (1891,  pp.  110-113)  describes  a  cysticercoid  which  he 
found  in  Bohemia  in  Cypris  incong-ruens  and  Cypris  compressa 
Baird  (according  to  Moniez,  1891,  Cypria  ophthalmica);  the  larva 
measured  0.40"i»>  to  0.43""",  and  bore  10  hooks  65  fi  long;  the 
tail  was  very  long;  embryonic  hooks  measured  10  /t.  Moniez 
(1891,  p.  26)  states  that  he  found  the  same  larva  in  Cypris  in- 
congruens  at  Lille,  France,  and  that  the  species  T.  anatina  is 
the  mosit  common  tapeworm  of  domesticated  ducks  of  that 
country. 

It  is  to  J.  E.  Schmidt  (ISDl)  that  we  owe  our  chief 
knowledge  of  this  worm  and  the  experimental  demon- 
stration of  its  life  history.  Schmidt  infected  numer- 
ous small  2.25"™  to  2.75'""'  freshwater  crustaceans 
(Cypris  ovata)  with  the  eggs  of  adult  animals  taken 
from  ducks,  and  followed  the  development  in  all  its 
stages.  He  found  that  the  ova  are  eaten  by  Cypris; 
the  embryo  escapes  from  its  shells  and  passes  into  the 
body  cavity  of  the  intermediate  host;  here  it  growls  into 
a  roundish  hollow  ball  which  gradually  elongates  and 
develops  the  various  organs  of  the  cysticercoid;  when 
the  organs  are  formed,  the  larva  retracts  its  scolex  into 
its  cyst.  In  summer  the  entire  development  of  the 
cysticercoid  lasts  but  two  weeks,  while  in  winter  it 
lasts  over  five  weeks. 

Ducks  naturally  become  infected  by  swallowing  \\\v 
mussel  crabs. 


604 

14    DRETANIDOTAENIA    SINUOSA     (Zeder.     18tK))     Rallllet,     1893. 

(1782,  Taenia  coUari  nigro  Bloch— vide  Hud.,  ISIU;  I/SJ,  T.  intun- 
dibuliformis  (Anserum)  Goeze — vide  Dies.,  1850;  1786,  T.  col- 
laris  Batsch— vide  Rud.,  1810;  1790,  T.  torquata  Gmelin— vide 
Rud.,  1810;  1800,  Alyselminthus  sinuosus  Zeder;  1800,  Taenia 
breviarticulata  Goeze;  1803,  Halysis  sinuosa  (Zeder,  1800) 
Zeder;  1803,  H.  torquata  (Gmelin,  1790)  Zeder— vide  Rud.,  1810; 
1858,  Hymenol^^pis  (Lepidotrias  )sinuosa  (Zeder,  1800)  Wein- 
land). 

[PI.    X,    figs.   116-124;   PI.    XI,    figs.   125-139;   PI.    XII,    figs.    140-146; 
PI.    XIII,    fig.    153.1 

Diagnosis:  50mm  to  160mm  long  by  1mm  to  2mm  broad.  Head 
almost  globular,  rostellum  armed  with  a  simple  row  of  10 
hooks  51  1^  to  61  y"  long.  Neck  very  long.  Anterior  segments 
of  variable  breadth  and  length;  the  following  segments  trape- 
zoidal; posterior  segments  rounded.  Genital  unilateral,  sit- 
uate toward  the  anterior  third  of  the  lateral  margin;  in  each 
pore  is  found  a  globular  sac,  armed  with  spines,  and  appear- 
ing as  a  black  point;  tliis  punctate  line  allows  an  immediate 
determination  of  the  species.  Eggs  with  3  envelopes,  the  ex- 
terior 42  fi  to  44  II    hooks  of  oncosphere  7/u  to  8  /u. 

Development:  Cercocystis  Dr.  sinuosae  found  in  Gammarus 
pulex  by  Hamann  and  von  Linstow;  in  Cyclops  viridis  Fisch. 
C.  agilis  Koch  and  C.  lucidulus  Koch,  by  Mrazek. 

Host:  Tame  dncks  (Anas  boschas  dom.);  mallard  duck  (A. 
boschas);  Brazilian  teal  (A.  braziliensis);  tame  goose  (Anser 
anser  dom.);  graylag  goose  (A.  anser);  pintail  (Dafila  acuta); 
tufted  duck   (Aythya  fuligula). 

Geographical  distribution:  P^rance.  Germany,  Italy,  Sweden 
and  Bohemia. 

The  species  sinuosa  as  at  present  adopted  by  authors 
stands  on  a  most  peculiar  footino^. 

Gooze  left  a  description  and  figures  of  this  worm,  with  the 
MS.  name  Taenia  breviarticulata,  from  Anas  fusca,  which  were 
later  published  by  Zeder  (ISOO,  pp.  295-298)  under  Alyselmin- 
thus sinuosus.  .According  to  Krabbe  (1869,  p.  298)  Rudolphi  de- 
termined as  sinuosa  formis  which  differ  greatlj'^  from  one 
another.  Dujardin  (1845)  p.  573)  then  gave  a  more  exact  de- 
scription of  a  form  which  he  determined  as  T.  sinuosa  (Zeder) 
Rud.,  taken  from  Anas  acuta,  adopting  Rudolphi's  synonymy 
in  all  tssentials.     Krabbe   (1S69,  i)p.  298-299)  adopted   Dujardin's 


605 

determination  of  Zedei-Ruolplii's  species,  but  ignored  syn- 
onymy prior  to  Zeder.  Thus  we  have  no  way  of  knowing 
whether  the  form  now  named  sinuosa  is  identical  with  the 
original  sinuosa  or  not,  and  Dujardin  is  the  earliest  author  to 
whom  we  can  trace  the  present  sinuosa  with  any  degree  of  cer- 
tainty. Authors  generally  follow  Krabbe  in  accepting  Dujar- 
din's  determination  of  Zeder's  sinuosa  and  it  will  be  well  at 
present  to  adopt  this  plan. 

The  views  concerning  the  life  history  of  this  worm  rest  upon 
observations  by  Hamann,  Mrazek,  and  von  Linstow.  Hamann 
(1889,  pp.  1-7,  Taf.  I)  found  some  cysticercoids  in  Gammarus 
pulex  which  von  Linstow  determined  as  the  young  of  T.  sinu- 
osa. They  were  oval  to  spherical;  tail  surrounds  body  as  a 
yellowish  border;  6  oncospheric  hooks,  13  /^  long,  persistent, 
one  pair  at  end,  one  in  middle,  and  one  at  beginning  of  tail; 
tail  0.5mm,  body  with  tail  1.3mm  long;  hooks  of  cysticercoid  50 
u  long,  10  in  number;  calcareous  bodies  numerous,  6  ;*  in  diam- 
eter, oval.  Mrazek  found  a  cysticercoid  in  Bohemia,  0.23miii 
long;  tail  moderately  long,  oncospheric  hooks  11  /*;  50  calcare- 
ous corpuscles  present.  He  identified  this  organism  with  Ha- 
mann's  larval  form,  and  records  it  from  Cyclops  virdis  Fisch, 
C.  agilis  Koch,  and  C.  lucidulus  Koch.  So  far  as  I  can  learn 
no   infections  were   made  with  these  parasites. 

15.  DREPANIDOTAENIA    SETIGERA    (FroUch,     1789)    UaiUlet,    1893. 

(1789,  Taenia  setigera  Frolich;  1800,  Alyselminthus  setigerus 
(Frolich.  1789)  Zeder;  1803,  Halysis  setigera  (Frolich,  1789) 
Zeder;  1819.  "Taenia  sinuosa  Rud.,"  1810,  of  Rud.,  pars.— vide 
Krabbe,  1869;  1848,  "T.  setigera  Frolich,"  1789,  of  Siebold;  1858, 
T.  fasciata  Rud.,"  1810,  of  Feuereisen;  1869,  "T.  setigera  Fro- 
lich"  of   Krabbe.) 

[PI.  XII,   figs.   147-150;   PI.   XIII,  figs.  154-164.1 

Diagnosis:  Strobila  200mni  long  by  1mm  to  Jmm  broad.  Head 
subglobular,  0.24mm  long  by  0.2Smm  to  0.33mm  broad;  rostellum 
with  simple  crown  of  10  hooks  35  //  to  43  /*  (40  /*  to  60  /^  long, 
prong  20  ft  long,  roots  20  fi  apart,  after  Feuereisen);  ventral 
root  short  and  plump,  dorsal  root  longer.  Suckers  rather  large, 
elliptical.  Neck,  0.59mm  long  by  1.16mm  broad.  (Segments  very 
short,  10  times  as  broad  as  long,  Feuereisen.)  Anterior  seg- 
ments very  short,  the  following  slightly  longer,  tunnel  shaped, 
with  very  prominent  posterior  angles;  chain  traversed  by  a 
dark  median  band.  Pores  unilateral,  small,  situated  tovvjir.l 
anterior  angle  of  the  segment,  frequently  with  extruding  penis. 


606 

Genital  organs  begin  with  eight  hundred  and  tliirlieth  seg- 
ments; embryos  begin  with  one  thousand  five  hundredth  seg- 
ment. Calcareous  bodies  less  numerous  than  in  Dr.  faseiata. 
Male  organs:  Male  maturity  is  reached  about  the  one  thou- 
sand and  thirtieth  segment  and  is  continued  about  100  seg- 
n;ents.  Testicles  three,  13  ji  in  diameter,  posterior;  an  uncer- 
tain body  (probably  vesicula  seminalis)  lateral  but  near  median 
line;  vas  deferens  parellel  and  near  anterior  margin;  cirrus 
pouch  0.3'5mm  long,  more  than  half  as  broad  as  the  younger 
segments,  parallel  to  and  near  anterior  margin,  39  fi  (median 
portion)  19  fi  (lateral  portion)  broad;  broadest  part  is  160  ji  to 
190  II  long  and  contains  a  vesicula  seiminalis  0.1mm  to  0.15mm 
long  by  30  fi  broad;  penis  covered  with  minute  spines.  Female 
lorgans:  Very  imperfectly  understood.  A  boldy  appears  on 
aporose  side  of  median  line,  develops  and  divides  into  two 
pyriform  bodies,  which  remain  connected  ( —  ovary?);  from 
their  point  of  juncture  a  canal  runs  toward  the  genital  pore, 
and  shows  two  swellings,  a  median  (?  receptaculum  seminis) 
and  a  lateral  (  ?  receptaculum  seminis);  an  oval  body  (— ? 
ovary)  appears  in  the  extreme  aporose  side  of  the  segment,  and 
from  this  extends  another  body  (uterus)  toward  the  median 
line,  increasing  in  size  as  the  (?)  ovaries  decre^use.  Oncospheres 
19/<,   hooks  7.9  fi. 

Development:  Cercocystis  Dr.  setigerae  in  Cyclops  brevicau- 
datus  Claus,   found  by   Schmeil. 

Hosts:  Tame  goose  (Anser  anser  dom.);  white-fronted  goose 
(A.  albifrons);  bean  goose  (A.  fabalis);  barnacle  goose  (Branta 
leucopsis);  tame  swan  (Olor  cygnus  dom.)  cited  by  von  Lin- 
stow,  but  Railliet  believes  this  erroneous;  whooping  swan 
(Olor  cygnus). 

Geographical  distribution:  Germany,  France,  Denmark, 
Sweden  and  Ireland.  Lucet  found  it  producing  a  serious  epi- 
demic  among  the  young  geese  Doiret   (Railliet,   1893,   p.   301). 

The  na,me  Taenia  setigera  was  pr&posed  by  Frolich  (1789,  pp. 
106-111)  for  a  worm  3  feet  long  and  3  lines  broad,  with  unilateral 
genital  pores,  which  he  found  in  pastured  geese.  He  states 
that  the  rostellum  is  unarmed;  the  form  is,  like  many  earlier 
species,  not  well  described,  and  the  figures  are  poor,  so  that 
it  is  not  possible  to  tell  with  absolute  certainty  what  species 
Frolich  examined.  Rellingham  (1844,  p.  320)  records  it  for  Ire- 
land. Von  Siebold  (1848,  p.  131)  states  that  in  this  species  he 
found  10  hooks  on  the  rostellum.  There  is  no  way  of  proving 
that  Siebold's  worm  was  Frolich's  petigera;  at  the  same  time, 
as  there   is   no  way   of  disproving  it,   we   may   as   well   accept 


607 

von  Siebold's  statement  regarding  the  hooks;  the  species  seti- 
gera  accordingly  would  rest  upon  this  character.  Feuereisen 
(1868,  pp.  190-200)  described  the  anatomy  of  a  goose  taiieworm, 
determined  as  T.  fasciata  Rud.,  which  possessed  10  hooks  an<l 
is  probably  identical  with  von  Siebold's  T.  setigera  Frolich. 
In  1865  and  1868  Krabbe  (1869,  pp.  289-290)  examined  400  geese 
and  found  T.  lanceolata  present  in  77  of  them,  and  another 
tapeworm  9  times  vi'hich  possessed  40  hooks  on  the  rostellum; 
this  latter  worm  Krabbe  determined  as  T.  setigera.  Krabbe 
also  examined  specimens  from  Rudolphi's  collection  (see  Rud., 
1819,  p.  700)  collected  by  Brosche  in  Dresden,  and  determined 
by  Rudolphi  as  T.  sinuosa;  these  worms  were  "undoubtedly 
identical  with"  T.  setigera.  Lonnberg  (1889,  p.  8)  records  this 
species  for  Anser  segetum  (new  host)  in  Kristineberg;  he  also 
includes  the  white-fronted  goose  (Anser  albifrons)  among  the 
hosts,  but  does  not  state  his  authority.  Railliet  (1893,  p.  301) 
placed  T.  setigera  in  his  genus  Drepanidotaenia.  Von  Linstow 
(1892B,  pp.  50.3-504)  states  that  Dr.  O.  Schmeil  found  in  Cy- 
clops brevicaudatus  a  globular  cysticercoid  0.133mm  jn  diameter, 
with  a  thin,  long  (2.14mni)  tail,  10  hooks  39  n,  on  the  rostellum, 
which  von  Linstow  identifies  as  the  young  of  T.  setigera.  No 
infections  were  made.  The  life  history  as  given  above  is, 
therefore,   theoretical   though   probable. 

16.  TAENIA  KRAB13EI   Kowalewski,    1SS5  (nee   Moniez,   1879).     (Sp.   dub.) 

(1894,   Taenia  Krabbei   Kowalewski    [nomen   nudum].) 

[PI.    XII,    figs.    151-152.-1 

Krabbe  (1860,  p.  290)  states  that  he  once  found  in  the  intes- 
tine of  a  domesticated  goose  a  tapeworm  head  with  10  hooks 
similar  in  form  to  those  of  Drepanidotaenia  setigera  but  much 
smaller,  i.  e.,  24  //  long.  He  thought  that  perhaps  it  belonged 
to  another  form,  but  figured  the  hooks  as  "T.  setigera?;"  the 
hooks,  as  well  as  the  head,  bore  a  great  resemblance  to  Drep- 
anidotaenia tenuirostris.  He  also  found  a  few  heads  with  10 
similar  hooks  in  the  domesticated  duck;  the  hooks  were  28  fi 
long.  Kowalewski  (1894,  p.  5),  in  a  paper  which  I  am  unable 
to  read  becaufe  of  the  language,  mentioned  this  wohm  as  a 
new  species  under  the  name  Taenia  Krabb?i.  In  a  second 
paper  (1895,  p.  .359,  Taf.  VIII,  fig.  27),  he  gives  a  short  discus- 
sion of  the  worm,  and  figures  2  hooks.  In  the  Gei'man  resume 
(1894,  p.  279)  of  this  paper  he  simply  states:  ".A.  species  from  the 
goose  >yhich  was  already  found  by  Krabbe,  but  not  described. 


(;i)8 

is  proposed  as  a  new  species  (Taenia  Kiabbei)  and  its  external 
ciiaraelers  are  discussed." 

The  status  of  this  species  cun  not  Ije  judged  at  present,  but 
the  slight  variation  in  the  form  of  the  hooks  is  not,  in  my 
opinion,  sufficient  to  establish  the  form.  As  Kowalevvski  has 
unfortunately  written  in  a  language  which  is  not  understood 
by  many  authors,  it  Is  difficult  to  judge  his  work,  and  as  it 
is  now  necessary  for  an  investigating  helminthologist  to  learn 
no  less  than  ten  languages  in  order  to  keep  up  with  his  branch, 
it  is  to  be  hoped  that  Kowalewski  will  in  the  future  give  full 
translations  of  his  scientific  articles  in  German,  French,  Eng- 
lish, Italian,  or  some  other  language  better  known  than  his 
own. 

Whatever  may  prove  to  be  the  status  of  this  species,  the 
name  T.  Krabbei  can  not  be  retained  for  it,  as  this  name  has 
always  been   used  by  Moniez   for  another  form. 

17.   DREr.\N/DOTAENIA    TENUIROSTRIS    (Rudolph!,    1819)    RailUet,    l89;v 

(1819,    Taenia    tenuirostris   Rudolphi.) 

[PI.    XIV,    figs.    165-172.1 

Diagnosis:  100mm  to  12'5mm  long,  1mm  to  3mm  broad.  Head 
subglobular;  rostellum  delicate,  subclaviform,  armed  with  a 
single  crown  of  10  hooks  20  fJi  to  23  /flong;  suckers  round.  Neck 
rather  long.  Anterior  segments  straight  and  short,  the  follow- 
ing longer,  with  sharp  prominent  posterior  angles,  like  the 
teeth  of  a  saw.  Genital  pores  unilateral.  Egg  cylindrical,  85 
u.  long.    Hooks  of  oncosphere  7  fi. 

Development:  Cercocystis  Dr.  tenuirostris  in  Gammarus 
pulex,  found  by  Hamann  and  von  Linstow;  in  Cyclops  agilis 
and  C.  pulchellus  found  by  Mrazek. 

Hosts:  Tame  goose  (Anser  anser  dom.);  European  scaup 
duck  (Aythya  marila);  tufted  duck  (Aythya  cristata); 
goosander  (Merganser  mergansei-);  red-breasted  merganser  (M. 
serrator);  smew  or  nun  (Mergus  albellus);  Greenland  eider 
(Somateria  moUissima);  velvet  scoter  (Oidemia  fusca);  kit- 
tiwake  (Rissa  tridactyla). 

Geographical  distribution:  Denmark,  France,  Germany,  and 
Bohemia.     No   epidemics  recorded. 

Krabbe  (1869,  pp.  291-292)  examined  Rudolphi's  types  and 
found  hooks  upon  the  rotellum,  although  they  had  escaped 
Rudolphi's  attention.  The  original  specimens  were  collected  by 
Bremser  from  Merganser  merganser:  von  Siebold  also  found 
this  si'ecies  in  lh'«  ^iinu'  h<'Sf,  in   Haxaria  and  Krahbe  found  the 


609 

same  worm  in  Aythya  marila.  It  is  also  reported  from  otlier 
wild  birds.  Bellingham  (1844,  p.  320)  gives  Aythya  cristata  as 
a  host,   but  does   not  state  his  authority. 

Hamann  (1889,  pp.  7-9,  figs,  a-c)  found  a  cysticercoid  in  Gam- 
marus  pulex  which  he  looks  upon  as  the  larvel  stage  of  this 
worm,  and  he  assumes  that  as  the  domestic  duck  is  the  only 
bird  (i.  e.,  so  far  as  Hamann  knows)  which  visits  the  water 
in  which  this  larval  stage  was  found,  this  tapeworm  is  also 
found  in  domesticated  ducks.  An  argument  like  this  has 
value  in  science  only  in  oi'der  to  place  us  on  our  guard  fcu"  the 
parasite,  but  it  would  be  going  altogether  too  far  to  accept 
this  worm  as  a  parasite  of  domesticated  ducks  until  it  is 
found  in  that  host.  Hamann  made  no  infections  with  his  lar- 
val form,  and  accordingly  the  demonstration  that  this  cysti- 
cercoid represents  the  larval  stage  of  Dr.  tenuirostris  is  still 
lacking.  Hamann  describes  the  larva  as  lying  in  a  cyst 
fastened  to  the  intestine  of  the  crustacean,  and  possessing  a 
yellowish  tail  and  grayish-white  body;  diameter  0.2mm,  hooks 
10  in  numbei',  2S  fi  long;  calcareous  bodies  oval  6  fi,  oncospheric 
hooks  9  fi.  Von  Linstow  (1892A,  pp.  338-339)  observed  the  same 
larva  in  the  same  host,  and  Mrazek  (1891,  pp.  101-103,  126-129) 
rlescribes  it  from  Cyclops  agilis  and  Cycl.  pulchellus  in  Bohe- 
mia. His  specimens  were  very  small  0.10mm  to  0.11mm;  lo  hooks 
21  fi  to  23    II.  tail  long;  oncospheric  hooks  8   fi. 

Iv    Gentlal   pores  Irregularly  alternate. 

18.  UREPANIDOTAENIA    INFUNDIBULIFORMIS    (Goeze.     1782)     RailUet. 

1893. 

(1771'.  Globus  stercoreus  Seopoli — vide  Parona,  1S94;  1779,  Taenia 
infundibulum  Bloch— vide  Goeze,  1782;  1781,  T.  avium  Pallas 
—vide  Goeze,  1782;  1782,  T.  articulis  convideis  Bloch— vide 
Rud..  1810;  1782,  T.  infundibuliformis  Goeze;  17S6,  T.  cuneata 
Batsch  [nee  Linstow,  1872]— vide  Rud.,  1810;  1788,  T.  conoidea 
Schrank — vide  Rud.,  1810;  1794,  T.  serrata  Rosa  [nee  Goeze, 
1782]— vide  Parona,  1894;  1800,  Alyselminthus  infundibuliformis 
(Goeze)   Zeder;  1803,  Halysis  infundibuliformis  (Goeze)   Zeder. 

[PI.  XIV,   figs.  173-186;  PI.   XV,   figs.   187-193.1 

Diagnosis:  20mm  to  130mm,  rarely  230ram  long.  Head  globular, 
rather  depressed;  rostellum  elongate,  cylindrical,  or  hemis- 
pherical, swollen  at  summit,  armed  with  a  single  row  of  16- 
EO  hooks  20  ft  to  27  fi  long,  with  long  dorsal  and  short  ventral 
foot;  suckers  rath&r  small.  Neck  very  short.  Anterior  seg- 
ments  very   short,    the   following   funnel    shaped,    the   anterior 


610 

border  being  much  narrower  than  the  posterior  border;  pos- 
terior s<»g-ments  almost  as  long  as  broad.  Genital  pores  ir- 
regularly alternate.  Penis  thick,  covered  with  few  spines. 
HookP  or  embryo  12  (i  to  17  H  (See  also  diagnosis  given  below, 
p.  611.) 

Development:  Acording  to  Grassi  «&  Rovelli  the  cysticercoid 
develops  in  the  ordinary  house  fly. 

Host:  Chickens  (Gallus  domesticus);  migratory  quail  (Cotur- 
nix  coturnix);  ?  pheasants  (Phasianus  colchicus);  mallard 
(Anas  boschas);  tame  duck  (Anas  boschas  dom.);  ?  crowned 
pigeon  (GouTa  sip.);  ?  domesticated  pigeon  (Columba  livia  dom.); 
sparrow  (Fringilla  domestica). 

Geographical  distribution:  France,  Italy,  Ireland,  Zealand 
(Denmark)  (Krabbe),  Pomerania  (Creplin),  and  Saxony  (Kuch- 
enmeister).    No   epidemics. 

The  earlier  decriptions  of  Dr.  infundibulif<wmis  are 
exceedingly  unsatisfactory,  and  in  many  cases  it  is 
impossible  to  recognize  what  species  an  autlior  had 
before  him  when  he  determined  it  as  infundibulifonnis. 

Krabbe  (1869,  pp.  339-341)  examined  Rudolphi's  (1810)  speci- 
mens and  determined  the  forms  from  chickens  as  "undoubtedly 
identical"  with  specimens  which  he  collected  in  Zealand,  and 
with  specimens  from  Creplin's  and  Kuchenmeister's  collections. 
Rudolphi's  (1810,  p.  124)  specimens  from  Otis  tarda,  however, 
Krabbe  determined  as  different  from  the  specimens  from  chick- 
ens. 

This  seems  to  be  the  earliest  exact  reference  to  this  species, 
which,  therefore,  rests  upon  Krabbe's  (1869)  study  of  the  mater- 
ial which  Rudolphi  (1810,  pp.  123-126)  determined  as  Goeze  (1782, 
pp.  386-390)  Taenia  infundibuliformis.  Unless  original  speci- 
mens of  authors  before  Rudolphi  can  be  studied  again,  and  un- 
less it  can  be  shown  by  this  means  that  Rudolphi's  (1810)  speci- 
mens were  not  really  identical  wnth  Goeze's  infundibuliformis, 
this  specific  name  may  at  present  be  applied  to  the  parasites 
as  determined  by  Krabbe.  It  is  useless  to  revert  to  the  names 
prior  to  infundibuliformis,  1782,  unless  the  originals  upon  which 
those  names  were  based  can  be  restudied.  Bellingham  (1844, 
p.  319)  records  this  species  for  Anas  boschas,  A.  boschas  dom., 
and  Fringilla  domestica.  The  form  which  Dujardin  (1845,  p. 
586)  determined  as  infundibuliformis  is  referred  to  Davainea 
casticillup.  Krabbe  found  this  worm  (Dr.  inf.)  in  26  out  of  200 
chickens  in  the  region  of  Copenhagen.     Magnin   (1881  .'\.   pp.   33- 


611 

35)  states,  that  he  found  T.  infumlibuliCorniis  in  large  numbers 
in  the  epidemics  of  syngamosis  among  pheasants,  but  it  is  evi- 
dent that  the  fornx  he  referred  to  was  his  T.  agama.  Bremsci 
also  records  it  from  pheasants,  but  his  observation  should  be 
confined.  Megnin  recoixls  it  for  pigeons  and  in  Goura,  but 
those  observations  also  need  confirmation,  for  Megnin  remarks 
that  the  specimen  from  Goura  had  three  rows  of  hooks  upon 
the  suckers,  (  ?  Davainea  cesticillus,  q.  v.  p.  48).  Piana  (1882, 
p.  392)  found  this  parasite  the  most  common  tapeworm  of 
chickens.  Grassi&  Rovelli  (1889,  p.  404;  1892,  pp.  33-34,  89)  state 
that  they  found  the  larval  stage  in  the  house  fly  (Musca  domes- 
tica),  but  they  did  not  prove  their  point  experimentally.  Crety 
(1890,  pp.  5-8)  records  Coturnix  communis  as  a  new  host,  and 
'remarks  upon  the  anatomy  of  the  parasite.  Unfortunately  the 
figures  are  unsatisfactory,  and  the  description  is,  therefore, 
not  of  such  value  as  it  otherwise  would  be;  from  his  descrip- 
tion the  following  characters  are  taken: 

Diagnosis:  (T.  infundibuliformis)  Strobila  to  100mm.  Head 
very  small,  spheroidal,  0.387mm  broad;  rostellum  armed  with 
20  hooks  upon  its  cupola-like  extremity;  length  of  rostellum 
0.137mm,  breath  %2  /j,  to  75  /«;  hooks  23  fi  long;  suckers  0.215mm 
by  0.156mm.  Neck  very  short,  0.313mm  in  length;  middle  seg- 
ments  0.4Smm    long,    posterior    segments    0.901mm    long.     Genital 

pores .     Male   genitalia:   Testicles   16   to  20   in   number,   29 

IM  to  44  /i  in  diameter,  situated  in  median  field;  vas  deferens 
begins  about  the  middle  of  the  segment,  firsit  portion  slightly 
sinuous,  lateral  portion  very  tortuous;  cirrus  pouch  glo'bose,  71 
fi  in  diameter;  cirrus  armed  with  numerous  small  spines.  Fe- 
male genitalia:  Receptaculum  seminis  106  fi  by  39  /i,  situated 
near  the  ovary;  ovary  globose,  near  anterior  margin,  occa- 
sionally irregularly  divided  into  two  halves;  oviduct  runs  from 
ovary,  in  median  line,  di.S'tally;  vitellogene  gland  in  about  the 
proglottid  is  globose,  occasionally  irregularly  divided  into  two 
portions,  vitello-duct  runs  cephalad  from  its  median  portion; 
shell  gland  very  small,  between  ovary  and  vitellogene  gland; 
uterus  forms  very  quickly,  in  the  mature  proglottid  it  oc- 
cupies the  entire  median  field  and  is  composed  of  a  large  cav- 
ity imperfectly  divided  into  numerous  small  cells  ( — egg  cap- 
sules?). Ova  55  n  by  46  /x,  with  3  shells;  oncosphere  33  /*> 
hooks  17  iJ,     Krabbe:  hnoks  12  /"  to  17  fi.) 

r.i.sqiiiilo  (1800.  p.  000)  records  the  worm  for  cliiek- 
eus  in  Massowali.     Ralliet  (1893,  p.  302)  well  remarks 


612 

that  the  gcueiic  positian  of  this  species  is  doubtful. 
(See  addeiiduui,  p.  (loT.) 

I  refrain  fi-oui  discussing  this  form  further,  except 
to  remark  that  practically  nothing  is  definitely  Icnown 
aboit  the  species.  Orety's  description  is  the  only  one 
which  can  be  given  the  dignity  of  a  diagnosis,  and  yet 
that  was  not  based  upon  originals.  The  earlier  de- 
scriptio-ns,  which  take  no  account  of  the  internal  ana- 
tomy of  the  segments,  are  almost  useless  so  far  as 
zoological  descriptions  are  concerned.  Were  it  not  for 
the  fact  that  the  original  host  (chickens)  is  known,  I 
have  the  most  serio-us  doubt  whether  it  would  ever  be 
possible  to  recognize  this  form;  and  whether  even  the 
numerous  specimens  recorded  from  chickens  as  T.  in- 
fundibuliformis  are  to  be  considered  as  such  is,  in  my 
opinion,  an  open  question.  I  have  specimens  o-f  worms 
from  pigeons  (Ck)lumba.  domestica)  and  from  turkeys 
(Meleagris  gallopavo  mexicana),  which  I  should  like 
to  determine  as  Dr.  infundibuliformis,  but  it  seems 
to  me  that  this  specific  name,  like  Taenia  expansa  o-f 
older  authors,  is  only  a  Latinized  form  of  expressing 
one's  doubts  or  ignorance  as  to  what  species  is  in  the 
hands  of  a  given  worker,  while  as  for  the  suppo-sed 
life  history,  with  the  fly  as  intermediate  host,  although 
I  am  not  willing  to  deny  the  correctness  of  the  hypo- 
thesis, I  do  insist  that  it  is  only  an  hypothesis,  with 
little  back  of  it,  and  that  it  is  now  time  to  call  a  halt 
on  such  speculative  work  and  to  distinguish  between 
what  is  shown  experimentally  to  be  fact,  and  what 
might  possibly  be  shown  to  be  fact.  (See  also  Taenia 
nigropnnotntn.) 


613 

B.  Suckers  aimiecl :  gi'nera  Davainea,  lOchinocotyle,  and 
Ophryocoytle. 

Genus  DAVAINEA  R.   Blanchard  &  Rallllet,   1891. 

{    ?    ISito,    Chapmania    Monti<jelli.> 

Diagnosis:  Worms  of  small  or  medium  size.  Head  rounded, 
surmounted  by  a  rostellum  or  hollowed  by  a  depression,  but 
armed  in  either  case  with  a  double  row  of  numerous  small 
hooks  possessing-  a  special  form  (prong  and  dorsal  root  short, 
ventral  root  very  long,  giving  them  the  form  of  a  hammer). 
Suckers  rounded,  bordered  with  several  rows  of  small  hooks 
which  are  instable  or  persistent.  Genital  pores  generally  un- 
ilateral but  occasionally  irregularly  alternate;  in  the  former 
case  (unilateral  pores),  the  ova  are  generally  arranged  in 
groups,  in  egg  capsules;  ovary  in  some  species  develops  into 
the  uterus;  eggs  also  isolated,  scattered  through  the  paren- 
chyma; embryos  without  pyriform  body. 

Type  species:  As  the  type  species  has  evidently  never  been 
proposed,  I  propose  D.  proglottina  (Davaine,  1860)  R.  Blanchard, 
1891,  as  type. 

Development:  As  yet  little  known;  the  larvae  of  some  species, 
however,  have  been  found  in  certain  arthropods  and  mollusks. 

Habitat:   Intestine   of  birds  and   mammals. 

Blanchard  (1891B,  pp.  428-440)  recognizes  fourteen 
species  as  belonging  to  this  genus,  and  thinks  that  T. 
eantaniana  and  T,  clavulus  may  also  be  placed  here. 
Some  of  the  forms  Blanchard  includes  here  are  w<'ll 
established,  others  rest  upon  weak  character.s. 

Monticelli  (1893,  pp.  lG-17)  has  recently  proi)Osed  a 
new  genus  Chapmania  which  seems  to  be  very  closely 
related  to,  if  not  identical  with  Davainea.  His  diag- 
nosis reads  as  follows 

Head  rounded,  small,  with  a  protractile  anterior  sucker 
armed  on  i'ts  anterior  margin  with  a  crown  of  very  minute 
hooklets.  Suckers  rather  large,  unarmed.  Proglottids  cam- 
panulate.  Genital  pores  unilateral.  Testicle  single.  Ovary 
hilnhed.   dendritic. 

Monticelli  took  Zs.liokke's  (ISSS.  pp.  2 C,  41-40) 
Taenia  argentina  as  basis  for  his  genus,  and  considered 


614 

I  his  species  identical  wiLli  Ohapman's  Taenia  laiiiicol- 
lis.  In  this  hitter  point  MouLicelii  is  probably  in 
error,  while  as  for  the  .i;eniis,  it  certainly  rests  npon 
too  weak  characters  to  be  recognized  at  present.  The 
''anterior  sucker"  is,  of  course,  the  invaginated  rostel- 
lum  and  sac;  the  only  valuable  character  remaining 
is  the  single  testicle.  The  bilobed  dendritic  ovary, 
the  form  of  the  segments,  etc.,  must  all  be  rejected  as 
generic  characters. 

The  exact  status  of  the  genus  and  the  ?  one  or  ? 
two  species,  (taurieo'llis  and  argentina)  must  be  left 
undecided  for  the  present. 

(  Genital   pores  alternate    2 

I  Genital  pores  grenerally  unilateral, 
1.  i       occasionally     alternate;      rostelluna 

I       with  about  200  hooks  6  fJ^  long-  D.  tetragona,  p. 619 

L  Genital   pores   unilateral    4 

r  Segments    not    over      5    in     number; 

I  strobila  1.5mm  long  or  less;  rostel- 
2   J       lum  with  about  80  hooks  7  /J-  long-; 

j       found  in  chickens   D.  progloltina,  i).f)14 

I    Seg-ments     nuimerous,     and     strobila 

[       much  longer  than  i.5mm    3 

f  Rostellum   with  about  100  hooks  8  /J. 

I        long;    found    in    chickens    and     (?) 

I       pigeons     D.  echinobothrida,  p.  618 

3.  -^    Rostellum  with  208  hooks  7  fi  to  S  fi 

long;    found   in    chickens    D.  cesticillus,  p.  617 

I    Rostellum  with  about  80O  hooks  11   fj. 

I       long;  found  in  quails    D.  circumvallata.  p.   61  :i 

r  Rostellum  with  150  hooks  12.8  fi  long; 

I       found   in   pheasants    D.  Friedbergeri.  p.  621 

4.''    Rostellum    with    ca.    60   hooks     11     fi 

I         long;    found    in    pjgeons    and    (?j 

L      ducks    D.  crassula,  p.  62;; 


a.  Genital  pores  Irregularly  alternate 

19.  DAVAINEA   PROGLOTTINA   (Davaine,    1860)   R.    Blanchard.    1S91. 

(I860,  Taenia  proglottina  Davaine;  1881,  "T.  proglottidina  Dav." 
of  Plana.) 

[PI.    XV,    figs.    194-198;    PI.    XVI,    figs.    199-202.") 
Diagnosis:   0.5mm   to   1.55mm    long   by   O.lSmm   to  O.50mm   bmad. 
Head  club  shape  to  quadran.gular,  140  fi  to  250  ft  jrng  by  135    /i  to 
200  fi   broad,  rather  rounded  in  front  and  slightly  consticted  in 


G15 

bark  Id  fnrm  neck  (108  fi  broad);  apex  armed  with  retractile 
hemispherical  rostellum  55  //  in  its  antero-posterior  diameter  and 
tiO  fi  to  85  u  in  its  lateral  diameter;  base  of  rostellum  armed  with 
about  80-95  hooklets  measuring-  6.5  [i  to  7.5  fi.  Suckers  circu- 
lar, small  (25  n  to  35  fi)^  armed  with  a  single  row  of  hooklets 
(6  [i),  with  rather  large,  bilobed  base.  Strobila  composed  of 
2-5  segments,  first  segm-3nt  only  about  56  fJ-  long,  the  following 
segments  increasing  in  length  and  width.  Genital  pores  irre- 
gularly alternate,  situated  at  the  anterior  angle.  The  second 
.segment  possesses  well-developed  male  organs  and  the  anlagen 
of  the  female  organs.  In  the  third  segment  the  testicles  are 
atrophied,  the  female  organs  (median  posterior  vitellarium,  two 
ovaries,  recept.  sem..  vagina)  well  develored,  but  no  uterus 
present.  In  the  fourth  segment  all  the  genital  glands  are 
atrophied,  and  the  segment  is  filled  with  numerous  isolated 
eggs  (not  in  ess  caipsules);  ova  35  /^  to  40  j«;  hooks  of  oncosphere 
10  /i  to  11  //.  The  segments  have  a  great  tendency  to  separate 
more  or  less  completely;  the  last  segment,  after  separating, 
remains  in  the  intestine  and  grows  to  2mm  long  by  1.25mm 
broad    (larger   than    the    entire    worm). 

Develcipment:  Larval  stage  is  found  in  slug^s  (Limax  cinerous. 
L.  agrestis,  and  L.  variegatus,  and  develops  from  the  oncos- 
phere in  less  than  twenty  days;  fed  to  chickens,  the  cysticer- 
coid  beco'mes  adult  with  4  segments  at  the  end  of  eight  days. 

Host:  Chickens  (Gallus  domesticus). 

Geographical  distribution:  France  (Rennes  by  Dujardin),  in 
le  Nord  by  Davaine,  in  Loiret  by  Lucet,  in  Indre-et-Loire  by 
R.  Blanchard,  and  Italy  by  G-rassi  &  Rovelli. 

Epidemics:  Lucet  observed  a  serious  epizootic  enteritis  In 
fowls  produced  hy  this  parasite  in  Loiret  (Railliet.  1893,  p.  305). 

The  life  hisloi y  of  tliis  worm  has  been  ex[)eriraentally 
demonstrated  and  this  is  one  of  the  few  tapeworms  of 
fowls  which  can  be  said  to  be  comparatively  well 
known  from  a  scientific  standpoint. 

20.  DAVAINEA   CIRCUISTVALLATA    (Krabbe,    1869)    R.    Blanchard,    1891. 

(1S19,   Taenia  linae  Rud.,  pars;     1869,  T.  circumvallata    Kraltlx; 
1890,    T.   pluriuncinata   Crety.) 

[PI.  XVI,   figs,  203-211.] 

Diagnosis:  Strobila  40mm  to  150mm  long.  Head  pyriform 
0.627mm   to  O.Smiii   long  by   0.598mm   to  0.65mm  broad.     RosteUum 


iirnieil  with  a  double  row  <if  about  800  ininule  liookh-ts,  of  two 
different  sizes,  the  larger  and  smaller  alternating,  the  larger 
hooks  11  fi  (Krabbe),  16  fi  (Crety);  smaller  hooks  8  yu  (Krabbe). 
12  fi  (Crety).  In  the  earlier  stages  (see  below  T.  pluriuncinata) 
the  suckers  are  armed  with  6-8  concentric  rows  of  instable 
hooks  which  vary  in  size,  but  of  similajr  form.  Suckers  small, 
0.186mni  to  0.196nim  in  diameter.  Neck  present,  thin.  Anterior 
segments  0.195mm  broad  by  0.40mm  long  (after  Crety,  1890,  p.  2. 
the  figures  should  undoubtedly  be  reversed);  middle  segments 
2mni\  to  3mm  broad  by  1mm  long;  posterior  segments  1.5mm  long 
by  2.5mm  broad.  Genital  pores  irregxilarly  alternate  in  about 
the  middle  of  the  lateral  margin.  Male  genitalia:  In  posterior 
portion  of  segment;  testicles  15-20  in  number,  45  ^  in  diameter, 
distributed  regularly  in  median  field;  the  common  vas  deferens 
takes  origin  in  about  the  middle  of  the  segment,  medium  por- 
tion more  or  less  sim.ple,  lateral  portion  convoluted;  upon  enter- 
ing the  cirrus  pouch  it  swells  into  a  vesicula  seminalis,  53  ^ 
long  by  39  a  broad,  distinct  only  in  the  younger  segments;  cir- 
rus covered  with  extremely  minute  spines,  visible  only  with  an 
immersion  lense.  Female  genitalia:  In  anterior  portion  of  seg- 
ment. Ovary  median  near  anterior  margin,  at  first  transverse, 
in  the  older  segments  it  becomes  globose  and  occasionally  ir- 
regularly divided  into  two  lateral  halves,  connected  by  a  me- 
dian portion  which  leads  into  the  oviduct;  in  middle  proglottids 
transverse  diameter  of  ovary  0.186mm;  oviduct  short,  runs  dis- 
tally;  vitellogene  gland  distal  of  ovary,  in  youngest  segments 
appears  as  a  globular  sac  next  to  ovary,  in  older  segments 
further  removed  from  it  and  much  smaller  than  it,  occasionally 
divided;  vitelloduct  runs  from  middle  of  vitellogene  gland  prox- 
imally;  shell  gland  very-  small,  situated  between  ovary  and 
vitellogene  gland;  vagina  swells  into  a  receptaculm  seminis  58 
/<  by  39  /*  near  the  ovary;  uterus  formis  rapidly,  suppresses 
genital  glands,  eggs  arranged  4-6  or  more  in  egg  capsules.  Ova 
28  n  by  24  fi\  hooks  of  oncosphere  11  n  to  17  ^  (Krabbe),  3  fi 
to  4  /i   (C^rety),   oncosphere  11  fi. 

Type   specimen:   Berlin   museum. 

Life  history:  Unknown. 

Host:  Migratorj'  quail  (Coturnix  coturnix)  by  Rudolphi  and 
Crety;  (C.   dactylisonans)   by  Ninni    [Stossioh]. 

Ceographical  distribution:  Italy,  by  Rudolph!.  Crety.  and 
Minni. 

Rlanchard  (1891B.  p.  434)  looks  upon  Crety's  Taenia  pUiriiin- 
oinata  as  synonymous  with  D.  circumvallata.  Crety's  descrip- 
tion  of  T.    pluriuncinata    is   as   follows: 


617 

Diagnosis:  Strobila  up  to  ll>5'"'"  long.  Head  very  small 
0.313mm  broad.  Rostelluni  armed  with  a  double  row  of  altt^r- 
nately  larger  and  smaller  hooks,  the  larger  S  /i,  the  smaller 
5  fi  long,  in  form  very  similar  to  those  of  T.  circumvallala : 
suckers  very  small,  98  //  in  diameter,  armed  with  6-8  concen- 
tric rows  of  hooks,  the  latter  varying  in  size,  but  of  similar 
form.  Neck  2.5nim  long,  thin.  Young  segments  0.32.3mm  broacj 
by  0.2mm  long;  middle  segments  trapezoid,  3mm  broad;  poster- 
ior segments  2mm  long;  middle  segments  trapezoid,  3mm  broad, 
posterior  segments  2mm  broad  by  1mm  long.  Genital  pores  ir- 
regularly alternate;  genital  apparatus  (very  sufficiently  de- 
scribed); cirrus  pouch  pyrifarm,  127  (i  by  20  /*;  ova  in  egg  cap- 
sules same  as  in  T.  circumivallata;  diameter  of  ova  22  /*  by 
16   It;  oncosphere  9  ft. 

Host:   Migratory  quail  (Cotumix  coturnix.) 

Whether  Blanchard  is  correct  in  his  opinion  can  be  deter- 
mined only  by  a  comparison  of  specimens,  but  in  the  mean- 
time one  is  bound  to  admit  that  T.  pluripunctata  can  ha;rdly 
be  admitted   as  a  species   upon  its  present  diagnosis. 

21.  DAVAINEA   CESTICIL.LUS    (Molln,    1868)    R.    Blanchard,    1891. 

(1845,  "Taenia  infundibuliformis  Goeze,"  1782,  of  Dujardin;  1858, 
T.  cesticillus  Molin;  1881,  T.  infundibuliformis  pars  of  Meg- 
nin.) 

[PI.  XVII,  figs.  212-216.1 

Diagnosis:  Length,  9mm  to  45mm  (according  to  Molin),  100mm 
to  130mm  (according  to  others).  Head  globulai,  0.5mm  to  0.55mm 
broad;  rostellum  convex  or  hemispherical,  not  prominent, 
0.28mm  to  0.32mm  broad,  armed  with  about  208  hooks  1  ft  to  8.8 
f*  long,  arranged  in  two  rows;  these  hooks  have  a  very  short 
dorsal  and  a  long  ventral  root;  suckers  W  ft  to  11  ft  not  proon- 
inent.  Neck  very  short  (Duj.)  neck  absent  (Railliet).  Anter- 
ior segments  3-5  times  as  broad  as  long,  being  broader  than  the 
head,  but  very  short;  the  following  segments  increasing  grad- 
ually in  size  and  becoming  nearly  as  long  as  broad,  borders 
overlapping.  Genital  pores  irregularly  alternate.  Eggs  ellip- 
tical 75  ft  to  85  ft;  hooks  or  oncosphere  16  fi  to  17  ft  (Railliet)  18 
u   to  2Z    ft     (Dujardin).     Development   unknown. 

Hosts:   Chickens. 

Geographical  distribution:  France  (by  Dujardin);  Italy  (by 
Molin,  Gras.ei,  Rnvelli):  Denmark  (by  Krabbe);  Turkestan  (by 
Fedtschenko);  Abyssinia  (by  Pasquale).  Epidemics:  None  re- 
corded. 

39*"n 


618 

Dujardin  (1845,  pp.  586,  609,  PI.  IX,  fig.  H,  1-2)  erroneously  de-- 
termined  this  worm  as  T.  infundibuliformis;  Moliu  (1858,  p.  139) 
described  it  as  T.  cesticillus.  Krabbe  (1869,  pp.  342-;J43)  found 
it  in  16  out  of  200  cliicltens  in  Denmark,  and  mentions  a  some- 
what similar  worm  from  Siebold's  collection,  taken  in  Egypt 
by  Bilharz.  Plana  (1882)  records  T.  cesticillus  in  Italy  and  Pas- 
quale  (1890)  says  it  is  the  most  com^mon  form  at  Massowah 
(Abyssinia),  where  he  in  one  instance  took  about  300  from  one 
chicken.  Grassi  &  Rovelli  (1892,  p.  88)  suspect  that  the  inter- 
mediate host  is  a  lepidopteron  (butterfly)  or  a  coleopteron 
(beetle),  but  this  is  wild  speculation.  Stossich  (1890A,  p.  39; 
1890B,  p.  53)  records  the  same  species  in  two  different  piiblica- 
tions,  once  as  being-  collected  in  Venice  by  Ninni,  and  a  second 
time  as  being  rather  rare  in  chickens  in  Trieste.  Blanchard 
(1891B,  p.  434)  looks  upon  part  of  Megnin's  T.  infundibuliformis 
as  belonging  here;  the  worm  in  question  has,  according  to 
Megnin  (1881A,  pp.  27-44)  3  rows  of  hooks  on  the  suckers. 

For  Neumann's  (1888  and  1892)  combination  T.  cesticillus  var. 
phasianorum  which  he  attributes  to  Megnin  (1887,  p.  828),  vide 
p.  53  (Taenia  infundibuliformis  var.  phasianorum  Megnin,  1887, 
p.   825  ff..   under  T.   Friedbergeri). 

22,  DAVAINEA  ECHINOBOTHRIDA   (Megnin,    1881)   R.   Blanchard,   1891. 

(1880,  Taenia  infundibuliformis  of  Megnin  (pars);  1880,  T. 
echinobothrida  Megnin,  nomen  nudum;  1S81,  T.  echinoboth- 
rida  Megnin.) 

[PI.  XVII,  figs.  217-218.1 

Diagnosis:  50mm  to  100mm  long,  1mm  to  4mm  broad.  Head 
small,  cuboid,  its  'Summit  presenting  an  infundibulum  armed 
with  about  100  hooks,  8  fi  long,  arranged  in  a  double  row. 
Suckers  large,  armed  with  7  circular  rows  of  hooks,  the  hooks 
of  the  middle  row  being  the  largest;  with  age  these  hooks  fall 
and  the  suckers  gradually  become  indistinct.  Neck  nil.  An- 
terior segments  very  thin,  50  times  broader  than  thick;  fol- 
lowing segments  increasing  gradually  in  size,  the  posterior 
border  overlapping,  so  that  the  margin  of  the  strobila  appears 
.^errate.  Eggs  spherical,  90  fi  in  diameter,  arranged  in  groups 
of  6-7     in  roundish  egg  capsules.     Development  unknown. 

Hosts:  Chickens  (Megnin),  ?  pigeons  (Megnin— possible 
another  species  of  worm  according  to  Railliet),  and  ?  pheas- 
ants (see  Blanchard). 

Geographical  distribution:  France  by  Megnin.  Epidemics: 
Megnin  states  that  this  did  not  produce  any  serious  effect  in  its 
hosts. 


619 

The  types  of  this  species  should  be  compared  with  D.  tetra- 
gona,  and  T.  bothiioplitis,  as  the  worms  are  very  similar,  if 
not  identical.  The  character  of  the  genital  as  a  specific 
difference  I  can  hardly  admit  for  this  form.  (See  the  discus- 
sion under  D.  tetragona.)  Meg-nin  states  that  the  hooks  of 
the  middle  rows  of  the  suckers  are  the  larg-est  and  this,  if  the 
observation  is  confirmed,  would  separate  the  species  from  T. 
bothrioplitis. 

b.  Genital    pores    unilateral,    occasionally    alternate. 

23.  DAVAINEA    TETRAGONA    (Molin,    1858)    R.    Blanchard,    1891. 

(1858,     Taenia     tetragona     Molin;     1881,    T.   bothrioplites   Plana 
(nomen  nudum);  1882,  T.   bothrioplitis  Plana.) 

[PI.   XVII,   figs.   219-227;      PI.   XVIII,   figs.   228-235.1 

Diagnosis:  12mm  to  90mm  long  (Molin)  or  to  200mm  (Plana)  or 
to  250mm  (Krabbe),  by  1.6mm  to  3mm  broad.  Head  small,  tetra- 
gonal; retractile  rotellum  armed  with  a  double  row  of  about 
200  hooks,  6  /i  long.  Suckers  circular,  armed  with  seven  or 
eight  concentric  rows  of  books  of  varying  size.  Neck  very 
long.  Anterior  segments  very  short;  the  following  subquad- 
rangulai',  the  posterior  edges  overlapping.  Genital  pores  uni- 
lateral or  irregularly  alternate,  situated  in  or  about  the  middle 
of  the  imargin.  Eggs  arranged  irregularly  in  groups  of  5-20 
in  egg  capsules. 

Development:  According  to  Piana,  the  larval  stage  (Mono- 
cercus  Davaineae  tetragonae)  develops  in  snails  (Helix  carth- 
usianella  or  H.  maculosa). 

Hosts:  Chickens. 

Geographical  distribution:  Italy  (by  Molin,  Piana),  Turkestan 
(by  Fedtschenko),  Abyssinia  (Pasquale),  America  (Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  by  Moore). 

Epidemics:    Italy   by  Piana;   Washington,    D.    C,    by   Moore. 

I  include  T.  botlii*ioplitis  in  the  species  D.  tetragona 
and  retain  D.  ecliinobotlirida  as  a  distinct  species, 
chiefly  in  deference  to  the  opinion  of  my  friends  R. 
Hlanchard  and  Railliet.  Personally  I  do  not  see  why 
the  species  D.  tetragona  should  be  recognized,  or  why 
two  of  these  forms  should  be  united  while  the  third 
is  kept  distinct,  for  the  descriptions  of  all  three  forms 


620 

are  incomplete,  and,  as  will  be  shown  in  the  following 
historical  review,  any  arranj^emeut  of  the  three  worms 
can  be  looked  upon  at  present  only  as  provisional. 
The  historical  review  is  given  in  detail,  as  these  three 
(()!•  one?)  species  represent  very  important  parasites. 
Molin  (1858,  p.  139)  first  described  as  Taenia  tetra- 
gona  some  tapeworms  which  he  found  in  chickens  in 
Padua  in  December,  1857,  as  follows: 

Caput  tetrag-onum,  minimuTn,  acetabulis  quatuor  angularibus, 
alveolo  ad  basim  rostelli  excavatum;  rostellum  inerme,  brevis- 
simum,  obtuso-conicum.  in  alveolum  retractile;  collum  breve; 
articuli  supremi  brevissimi;  rnstremi  subquadrati,  imbricati; 
aperturae  genitales  marg-inales,  secundae,  in  apice  papillae 
prominulae.     Longit.     0.012-0.090;   lat.    ad   0.002. 

Habitaculum.  Phasianus  Gallus:  in  intestine  tenui,  Decembri, 
Patavii  (Molin). 

Like  most  of  Molin's  descriptions,  this  diagnosis  gives  us  but 
little  information  concerning  the  parasite  he  had  before  hion. 
It  should  be  noticed,  however,  that  he  (probably  erroneously) 
describes  the  rostellum!  as  unarmed,  the  neck  as  short  (a  char- 
acter of  little  or  no  value),  the  posterior  segments  subquadrate 
and  imbricate,  the  genital  pores  as  unilateral,  the  length  of  the 
worm  as  12mm  to  90mm,  breath  as  2mm.  in  other  words,  there 
is  neither  a  single  distinctive  character  nor  a  collection  of  char- 
acters given  in  this  diagnosis.  In  his  second  paper  (1860,  pp. 
254-255;  Taf.  VII,  5-8)  Molin  repeats  this  diagnosis,  gives  four 
figures  of  the  worm  which  are  almost  useless,  except  fig.  7,  in 
which  the  genital  pores  are  figured  in  the  middle  of  the  lateral 
margin,  and  in  which  some  irregularly-shaped  masses  are 
drawn,  which  evidently  represent  egg  capsules.  He  also  adds 
three  observations  to  the  effect  that  he  collected  42  specimens 
from  one  chicken,  of  which  number  only  2  were  mature,  the 
others  being  very  small.  He  describes  a  mosaic  structure  of 
the  segment  caused  by  egg  capsules,  each  of  which  contains 
from  5  to  20  ova.  Although  the  TOSteHum  is  unarmed,  the  form 
differs  in  organization  from  the  other  unarmed  forms.  These 
are  all  of  the  characters  ever  given  by  Molin  to  the  species, 
and  it  must,  indeed,  be  admitted  that  they  are  not  sufficient 
to  determine  any  worm  with  certainty.  Molin's  diagnosis, 
without   the  type  specimens,   is   therefore  useless. 


621 

As  far  as  any  original  ubservations  are  concerned  Molin's 
species  T.  tetragona  then  rested  for  a  number  of  years. 
In  1880  Megnin  (1880,  p.  119)  mentioned  T.  echinobothrida  as  a 
nonien  nudum.  In  1881  two  parasites  of  chickens,  very  similar 
to  if  not  identical  with  T.  tetragona,  were  described  as  new. 
Megnin  described  and  figured  T.  echinobothrida  as  new  species 
with  the  characters  given  in  the  diagnosis  above  (p.  618.)  A 
careful  study  of  both  figures  and  description  shows  that  the 
most  important  characters  at  present  to  be  considered  are  the 
hooks  upon  the  rostellum,  said  to  he  about  100  in  number,  8 
H  long,  the  rows  of  hooks  upon  the  suckers  (6-7  rows),  those  of 
the  middle  row  being  the  largest;  genital  pores  irregularly  al- 
ternate; eggs  90  /x  in  diameter,  spherical,  arranged  in  groups 
of  6-7  in  'roundish  ess  capsules. 

In  March  of  the  same  yeari  (1881)  Plana  (1882,  pp.  387-391,  I 
plate)  presented  a  paper  before  the  Accademia  delle  Scienzei  di 
Bologna,  in  which  he  described  as  a  new  species  T.  bothriop- 
litis,  a  cestode  which  he  found  causing  serious  damage  to  poul- 
tiT,  producing  tubercles  in  the  intestine.  The  chief  zoological 
characters  taken  as  a  basis  for  the  species  are  as  follows: 

Head  0.35mm  jn  diameter;  retractile  hemispherical  rostellum 
armed  with  hooks  (number  not  given,  but  evidently  ca.  200, 
form  shown  in  drawing);  suckers  with  seven  or  eight  concen- 
tric rows  of  hooks  (form  as  per  drawing),  hooks  not  all  of  same 
size;  neck  very  long,  containing  ovoid  calcareous  corpuscles; 
genital  pores  unilateral,  situated  somewhat  below  (distally)  the 
middle  of  the  lateral  margin;  cirrus  short,  pyriform;  eggs  in 
egg  sacs. 

Plana  states  that  Rivolta  and  Delprato  (in  Ornitojatria,  1880, 
T.  I.,  f.  5a— not  accessible  to  me)  picture  the  head  of  a  cestode 
which  produced  similar  nodules  in  the  intestine  of  a  chicken. 
Plana  found  2  cysticercoids  in  Helix  (whether  in  H.  carthu- 
sianella  or  H.  maculosa  is  not  clear  to  me)  which  agree  quite 
closely  with  the  head  of  the  parasite  found  in  chickens;  no 
experiments  were  made  to  demonstrate  that  this  cysticercoid 
is  the  larval  form  of  the  worm  in  question,  but  their  specific 

iThe  date  of  publication  of  the  volume  for  1881  is  given  upon 
the  cover  as  1882,  but  a  preliminary  notice  of  this  paper  ap- 
peared in  the  Rendiconto  in  1881.  This  preliminary  notice, 
however,  is  altogether  too  incomplete  to  hold  should  the  ques- 
tion of  priority  be  raised  between  Megnin's  T.  echinobothrida 
and  Piana's  T.  bothrioplites.  Further,  as  Plana  cites  Megnin's 
article  in  the  final  paper,  Megnin's  name  must  be  given  prece- 
dence, should  these  two  forms  prove  identical.  Piana's  T. 
bothrioplites  of  1881  is  to  all  intents  an<T  purposes  a  nomen 
nudum,  and   his  species  T.  bothrloplitis  should  be  dated  1882. 


r)22 

identity  is  assumed  from  their  similarity.  Plana  was  ac- 
quainted with  Megniu's  i>:ii.fi-,  ))Ut  separated  his  form  from 
Meg-nin's  species  chiefly  nn  account  of  the  form  of  the  hooks 
on  the  suckers,  the  number  of  hooks  on  the  rostellum,  and  the 
arrang-ement  of  the  genital  pores.  Krabbe  (1882,  pp.  361-364, 
Tab.  II,  figs.  5.')-60)  published  as  Taenia  tetragona  Molin,  some 
cestodes  whicih  Fedschenko  had  found  in  chickens  in  Turke- 
stan. He  admits  the  total  inadequacy  of  Molin's  figures  and 
descriptions,  but  determines  his  specimens  as  T.  tetragona  on 
account  of  the  egg  capsules.  The  characters  given  are  as  fol- 
lows: 

Length  to  250>iini,  breadth,  1.6mn';  posterior  segments,  1.2mm 
long  by  1.6mm  broad.  Head  provided  with  a  short  and  broad 
retractile  rostellum,  surrounded  by  about  200  hooks  arranged 
in  a  double  row;  hooks  measured  6  /"  long  from  the  apex  of 
the  prong  to  the  end  of  the  dorsal  root;  ventral  root  11  fi  long; 
suckers  surrounded  by  several  rows  of  similar  instable  hooks 
of  different  form  from  those  of  T.  australis.  Genital  pores 
unilateral;  cirrus  smooth,  21  a  long  by  8  /i  thick.  Eggs  ar- 
ranged in  egs  sacs,  10-12  ova  in  a  group,  40  to  ca.  90  groups  in 
a  segment. 

Since  Krabbe's  paper  authors  have  as  a  rule  accepted  T.  tet- 
ragona as  a  good  species.  Blanchard  (1891B,  pp.  433,  436)  rec- 
ognized D.  echinoibothrida  as  a  distinct  species;  recognized  D. 
tetragona  (Molin)  as  valid,  and  made  T.  bothrioplitis  a  syn- 
onym of  D.  tetragona.  Grassi  &  Rovelli  (1892,  p.  84)  claiim  to 
have  recognized  both  T.  tetragona  Molin  and  T.  bothrioplitis 
Piana,  and  state  that  they  have  found  both  forms;  T.  echino- 
bothrida  Megnin  they  did  not  find,  but  they  think  it  is  possi- 
bly identical  with  T.  bothrioplitis  Piana.  Railliet  (1S93,  pp.  306- 
307)  has  followed  Blanchard  (1891). 

Fromi  the  above  it  is  questionable  whether  Molin's  specific 
name  teti"agona  can  be  retained,  unless  the  originals  can  be 
found  and  redescribed,  for  the  description  given  by  Molin  is 
unrecognizable  without  the  types.  It  might  possibly  be  re- 
tained upon  the  ground  that  it  is  impossible  to  show  that  T, 
tetragona  of  present  authors  is  not  identical  with  T.  tetragona 
Molin.  I  refrain  temporarily  from  suppressing  the  name,  as 
I  hope  the  types  may  be  re-examined.  Krabbe's  description  of 
T.  tetragona  can  hardly  be  taken  into  consideration  in  this 
question,  as  there  is  nothing  to  show  that  his  specimens  are 
identical  with  Molin's  forms,  and  asi  Krabbe  himself  admits  the 
uselessness  of  Molin's  description  and  figures.  The  differences 
between  the  species  described  by  these  three  authors-  (Megnin. 


623 

Plana,  and  Krabbe)  are  very  slight  and  can  for  the  most  part 
be  explained  by  contraction,  insufficiency  of  material,  and  lack 
of  details.  The  description  of  the  hooks  of  the  suckers  of  T. 
echinobothrida  (as  being  so  simple)  should,  I  believe,  be  taken 
with  reserve.  The  hooks  are  very  small  and  are  not  easily 
studied.  The  fact  that  the  genital  pores  are  described  as  ir- 
regularly alternate  by  Megnin  and  unilateral  by  Plana  and 
Krabbe  is  not,  in  my  opinion,  a  serious  difference  in  this  genus. 
This  opinion,  radical  as  it  may  appear,  is  based  upon  the  fol- 
lowing observations: 

The  worms  which  Dr.  Moore  found  producing  a  nodular  dis- 
ease in  chickens  give  rise  to  the  same  pathological  conditions 
as  the  form  described  by  Plana,  and  agree  with  Piana's  species 
in  regard  to  the  armed  rostellum,  the  form  and  size  of  the 
hooks,  both  on  the  rostellum  and  suckers,  and  in  almost  every 
other  character  mentioned  by  Plana.  The  genital  pores  vary 
in  different  specimens.  In  some  specimens  they  are  entirely 
unilateral;  in  other  specimens  all  but  one  or  two  may  be  on 
the  same  side  of  the  worm;  in  fact  it  is  often  necessary  to 
mount  the  entire  strobila  before  it  is  possible  to  find  an  al- 
ternating pore;  in  still  other  sipecimens  the  pores  are  extremely 
irregular.  The  specimens  with  irregularly  alternate  genital 
pores  agree  in  all  other  respects,  so'  far  as  I  can  see,  with 
Piana's  form.  The  only  difference  between  these  specimens 
and  Megnin's  description  appears  to  be  (1)  the  num.ber  of 
hooks  upon  the  rostellum  (Megnin  estimates  them  at  about 
100,  the  American  forms  possess  ca.  200-20S);  (2)  the  form  of  the 
hooks  on  the  suckers  (possibly  due  to  misinteipretation  as  the 
form  of  hooks  Megnin  describes  is  otherwise  unknown  in  this 
group);  and  (3)  the  arrangement  of  the  hooks  on  the  suckers 
(in  Megnin's  form  the  largest  hooks  are  in  the  center  row,  in 
the  American  form  the  largest  hooks  are  those  of  the  external 
row).  This  latter  point  of  difference  should  not  be  given  too 
much  weight,  as  Megnin  evidently  made  no  microtome  sections, 
and  this  point  could  hardly  be  established  definitely  otherwise. 

In  short,  I  incline  to  the  belief  that  tetragona,  echinobothrida, 
and  bothrioplitis  all  represent  one  and  the  same  species. 


G24 

c     Genital   pores    unilateral. 

24.  I'AVAINKA    FRIEDBERGKRI    (von    Linslow,    1878)    R.     UlHiicha.d,    IKSl. 

(1878,  Taenia  Friedbergeri  von  Linstow  [May  16];  ?  1878,  Taenia 
agama  Megmin  [Augrust];  ?  1878,  T.  infundibulifonmis  vai. 
phasianorum  Meg-nin  [September"];  1888,  T.  cesticillus  var. 
phasianorum   Neumann.) 

[PI.    XVIII,    figs.    236-242.1 

Diagnosis:  trobila  up  to  200nin>  and  more  long  by  2mm  to  Smm 
wide.  Head  pyriform,  0.386mm  broad  by  O.SOmm  long;  rostellum 
armed  with  a  double  row  of  hooks,  75  in  each  row,  12  «  long; 
suckers  elliptical,  armed  with  4-5  rows  of  hooks,  of  which  those 
on  the  middle  row  are  smallest.  Neck  thin,  2mm  to  3mm  long. 
Anterior  segments  very  short,  the  following  gradually  increase 
in  length,  the  distal  borders  projecting  so  as  to  give  a  serrate 
appearance  to  the  worm;  in  the  posterior  sixth  the  segments 
become  moniliform,  the  last  segments  almost  globular,  fre- 
quently orange  in  color.  Genital  pores  unilateral,  in  middle  of 
the  margin.    Ova  34  /*  to  38  /i,  onccspheric  hooks  6.5  ft. 

Development:  Unknown;  Friedberger  and  Megnin  think  that 
ants  ("Formica  rufa?")  form  the  intermediate  host,  but  ex- 
periments   (Friedberger)    were   negative. 

Hosts:  Pheasants   (Phasianus  colchicus). 

Geographical  distribution:  Geirmany  and  France. 

Epidemics:  Friedberger  (1877,  pp.  99-112)  gives  quite 
an  extensive  account  of  an  outbreak  of  disease  among 
pheasants  which  he  attributed  to  the  presence  of  the 
large  number  of  tapeworms.  A  remarkable  difference 
in  the  development  of  the  young  pheasants  was 
noticed.  Many  of  them  became  sick.  The  appetite 
remained  good  for  the  most  part,  but  the  animals  grew 
dull  and  their  feathers  became  ruffled.  Suddenly  the 
animals  would  wake  up,  run  around,  and  take  food; 
then  they  would  quiet  down  again,  close  their  eyes,  and 
finally  die. 

Several  post-mortems  were  made,  and  in  all  cases 
numerous  tapeworms  were  found  in  the  intestine.     A 


625 

pui'uleut,  desquamative,  intestinal  catarrh  and  general 
anaemic  condition  were  constant. 

In  August,  1878,  M^gnin  (1878A,  p.  825)  described 
as  a  new  species  (T.  agama,  afterwards  (September, 
1878B,  p.  927)  proposing  (o  make  it  a  variety  (T.  in 
fundibuliformis  var.  phasianorum),  a  tapeworm  which 
he  found  creating  considerable  trouble  in  the  })heas- 
antries  near  Paris  and  Fontainebleau.  He  gave  the 
following  characters: 

Not  over  60mm  long;  head  small,  with  about  lOO  hooks;  neck 
variable,  long  and  filiform  or  short.  Head  not  over  l-4mm  broal ; 
body  imm  to  3mm  broad.  Ovary  fills  the  entire  posterior  half 
of  the  body  without  being-  localized  in  each  segment;  segments 
detach  themselves  as  round  discs,  rather  thick,  and  1.7mm  to 
2mm  in  diameter,  filled  with  eggs,  collected  in  egg-sacs,  about 
7  eggs  being  present  in  each  sac  and  about  80-100  sacs  in  each 
segment.  Megnin  suggests  that  ants  form  the  intermediate 
host. 

The  parasites  injured  their  hosts  by  stopping  up  the 
bowels,  but  good  results  in  treatment  resulted  from 
administering  powdered  Tvamala  mixed  with  the  food. 
Fn  the  second  note  Megnin  states  that  the  pores  are 
unilateral. 

Neumann  (1888,  p.  433;  1892A,  p.  471;  1892IB,  p.  485)  erroneously 
attributes  the  combination  Taenia  cesticillus  var.  phasianorum 
to  Megnin  (1887,  p.  S28) ;  (this  reference  given  by  Neumann 
should  undoutbtedly  read  1878,  p.  928,  as  there  were  only  823 
pages  in  the  Recueil  of  1887,  and  Megnin  apparently  did  not 
publish  upon  this  species  in  1887,  i.  e.,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able 
to  trace).  Railliet  (1893,  pp.  308-309)  thinks  it  probable  that 
Megnin's  species  is  identical  with  the  worm  described  by 
Priedberger    (1877)    and    named    by    von    Linstow    (1878). 


40-11 


026 

25.   DAVAINEA    CRASSULA    (Rudolphl.     1819)    Rallllet,     1893. 

(ISlit.  "T.  sphenoof^phala  Rud.,"  ISIO  of  Riulolphi;  1819,  T. 
crassula  Rud., 

(?17X9,  Taenia  seipentiformks  i.  T.  turturis  Gmelin;  7  1800, 
A'lyselminthus  Columbae  Zeder;  ?  1803,  Halysis  Colunxbae 
(Zeder,  1800)  Zeder;  ?  1810,  Taenia  sphenocephala  Rud.;  ? 
1891,  Davainea  Columbae  (Zeder,  1800)  R.  Bl.) 

[PI.   XVIII,   figs.  243-246.1 

Diagnosis:  200mni  to  400mm  long  by  4mm  broad.  Head  oval, 
rostellum  obtuse,  armed  with  about  60  hooks  10  fi  to  11  f^  long. 
Suckers  rounded,  armed  with  spines.  Neck  rather  long.  An- 
terior segments  very  short,  the  following  segments  a  little 
longer  and  very  wide,  the  posterior  segments  infundibuliform. 
Gen.ita/1  pores  unilateral.  Elggs  united  in  groups  of  10-12  in 
capsule.     Development  urknown. 

Hosts:  Domestic  pigeon.  (Columba  livia  domestica);  EuTOpean 
rock  pigeon  (Coluim,ba  livia);  turtle  dove  (Turtur  turtur);  rock 
partridge  (Caccalbis  saxitilis);  ?  tame  duck  (Anas  boschas 
dom.);  parroquet  (Psittacus  erithacus)  [perhaps  D.  leptosoma?]. 
Epidemics:  None  recorded. 

Little  more  is  known  of  tliis  worm  than  the  actual 
fact  that  the  parasites  described  under  the  synonymy 
above  are  found  in  pigeons. 

Zeder  (1800,  pp.  281-282)  found  a  worm  in  the  turtle  dove  which 
he  named  Alyselminthus  columbae,  changing  the  name  three 
years  later  to  Halysis  columbae.  This  worm  Rudolphi  (1810,  pp. 
94-95)  renamed  Taenia  sphenocephala,  so  there  is  evidently  no 
doubt  that  these  three  terms  are  synonymous.  Rudolphi  in- 
cludes in  his  literature  a  worm  which  Goeze  (1782,  p.  394)  men- 
tioned in  a  footnote  as  having  been  found  in  the  turtle  dove 
and  which  Gmelin  (1790,  p.  3070)  quoted  from  Goeze  as  Tenia 
turturis  under  T.  serpentiformis.  It  is  entirely  an  assumption 
that  Goeze's  form  is  identical  with  Zeder's  worm,  although 
Gmelin's  name  refers  to  Goeze's  species.  Rudolphi  (1819.  pp. 
154,  506-508)  described  as  T.  sphenocephala.  evidently  consider- 
ing them  identical  with  his  sphenocephala  of  1810,  some  worms 
obtained  by  Bremser;  these  were  preserved  in  the  Berlin 
Museum,  were  restudied  by  Krabbe  and  propounced  identical 
with  Rudolphi's  supposed  new  species  (1819,  pp.  702-704)  Taenia 
crassula,  types  of  which  Krabbe  also  examined. 


627 

T.  sphenocephala  Rud.,  1819  and  crassula  Rud.,  1819,  are  evi- 
dently the  earliest  specific  names  to  which  we  can  refer  with 
certainty,  although  the  earlier  names  may  be  looked  upon  as 
probable  but  unid en  tillable  synonyrms.  According  to  page- 
priority  T.  sphenocephala  should  stand,  but  as  that  is  an  un- 
certain earlier  synonym,  and  as  Railliet  has  already  used 
crassula,  I  retain  the  latt<?r  name  for  the  present. 

There  are  certain  other  species  which  must  be  con- 
sidered in  couuecticn  with  this  genus,  but  most  of 
which  are  but  little  known  at  present.  The  followinj; 
characters  are  talcen  from  Krabbe  (1869)  and  Blan- 
chard  (1891,  pp.  434-438): 

A.  Avian  parasites: 

Davainea  struthionis  (Parona,  1885)— Syn.  1810,  Taenia 
sti-uthio  cameli  Rudolphi,  nomen  nudum;  1819,  T.  struthionis 
Rudolphi,  nomen  nudum;  1819,  T.  struthionis  Rudolphi,  nomen 
nudum;  1885,  T.  struthionis  Parona;  1893.  T.  (Davainea) 
struthionis  von  Linstow.)  Parona's  description  of  this  para- 
site from  ostriches  is  not  accessible  to  me. 

Davainea  insignis  (Steudener,  1877)  R.  Bl.,  1891  (Syn.  1877. 
Taenia  insignls  Studener).  lOOmm  to  ISOmm  long;  rostellum 
armed  with  double  crown  of  minute  hooks;  suckers  also  armed 
with  gyriniform  hooks,  smaller  than  those  of  the  rostellum, 
points  directed  inward;  host:  Carpophaga  oceanica.  (Original 
not  at  my  disposal,  I  quote  from  R.  Blanchard,  1891,  pp.  434- 
435.) 

Davainea  australis  (Krabbe,  1869)  R.  Bl.,  1891  (Syn.  1S69. 
Taenia  australis  Krabbe).  Strobila  400mm  long.  1.2mm  broad; 
rostellum  with  a  double  row  of  340-360  hooks  12  fi  to  14  fi  long: 
suckers  with  hooks,  5  fi  to  11  fi  long;  genital  pores  unilateral; 
host:   Dromaius  Novae-Hollandiae. 

Davainea  urogalli  (Mode^r,  1790)  R.  Bl..  1891.  (Syn.  after 
Krabbe  1869,  p.  344;  1846,  Taenia  tumens  Mehlis;  1850,  T  mi- 
crops).  Strobila  300mm  long;  rostellum  with  double  crown  of 
ca.  100  hooks  10-11  fi  long;  genital  pores  unilateral;  hosts: 
Tetrao  urogallus;  Tetrao  tetrix;  Cacabis  saxatilis;  Centrocerus 
urophasianus;  Tetraogallus  himalayanus. 

Davainea  frontina  (Dujardin,  1845)  R.  Bl..  1891.  (Syn.  after 
Krabbe,  1869:  1810,  Taenia  crateriformis  Rudolphi.  pars;  1845. 
T.  frontina  Dujardin.)  Strobila  100mm  long  by  1mm  broad; 
head  380  fi  broad,  rostellum  126  /i  surrounded  by  a  double  crowr 
of  about  300  hooks  8  /"  long;  suckers  140  fi  in  diameter,  armed 


628 

with  a  large  number  of  small  hooks;  genital  pores  unilateral; 
hosts:  Oriolus  galbula,  Picus  viridis,    ?  P.  major. 

Davainea  circumcinota  (Krabbe,  1869)  R.  Bl..  1S'.»1.  (1869, 
Taenia  circumcincta  KraJbbe).  Strobila  120mm  long  by  2mni 
broad;  rostellum  armed  with  a  double  crown  of  about  300  hooks 
11  fi  to  12  fi  long;  suckers  armed;  genital  pores  ?  ;  eggs  in  egg 
sacs;  host:   Ardea  garzetta. 

Davainea  leptosoma  (Diesing,  1850)  R.  Bl.,  1891.  (1850,  Taenia 
leptosoma  Diesing.)  Strobila  160mm  long  by  2mm  broad;  ros- 
tellum with  a  double  (?)  crown  of  hooks  11  ^  to  13  /*  long; 
hooks  on  suckers?;  genital  pores  unilateral;  host:  Psittacus 
erithacus.) 

B.    Mammalian   parasites 

Bavainea  madagascariensis  (Davaine,  1870)  R.  Bl..  1891.  (1869, 
Taenia  madagascariensis  (Davaine),   found  in  man. 

Davainea  Salmon!  Stiles,  1S95,  found  in  Lepus  sylvaticus  and 
Lepus  melanotis. 

Davainea  retractilis  Stiles,  1895,  found  in  Lepus  arizonae. 

Davainea  contorta  Zschokke,  1895,  found  ni  Manis  pentadac- 
tyla. 

Genus   ECHINOCOTTLE   R.    Blancha'rd.    1891. 

Diagnosis:  Body  short  and  thin.  Head  elliptical  or  subspheri- 
cal,  provided  with  a  long  rostellum  capable  of  being  completely 
retracted,  and  armed  with  a  single  row  of  10  hooks;  dorsal 
root  much  longer  than  feeble  ventral  root.  Suckers  armed 
with  three  series  of  hooks,  whose  prongs  point  posteriorly;  one 
series  situated  in  the  longitudinal  axis  of  the  sucker,  one  series 
on  the  borders  of  each  side.  Type  species,  E.  Rosseteri  R.  Bl., 
1891. 

Development:  Cysticercoid  (Cercocystis)  in  the  cavity  of 
Ostracodes. 

Hosts:   Domestic   ducks   (Anas   boschas   dom.);   Bengal   ducks. 

26.  ECHINOCOTTLE   ROSSETERI,    R.    Blanchard.    1891. 

(1891,  "Taenia  lanceolata  Goeze"  of  Rnsseter.) 

[PI.  XIX.  figs.  247-251.-| 

Diagnosis:  Strobila  (young  specimens)  1.5mm  long  with  26  .seg- 
ments present;  breadth,  0.18mm.     Head  suibspherical.  85  /i  to  155 

fi  long  by  75  ft  to  105  ^  broad;  rostellum  long,  with  single  crown 
of   10   hooks   on    extremity,    hooks    measure   31    ^    to   38    /U   long; 

suckers  oblong.   67   ^  to  90    /i   by  27    u  to  .^2    fi ;   muscular  wall 


629 

much    reduced,    concavity    nearly   effaced   and    visible   only    on 
account  of  the  hooks;  100-130  hooks  on  each  sucker  with  base 
7  u  to  8  fi,  prong  3  /i  to  i  u.    Neck  90   ;*to  140  /^  by  45   u  to  70   ft. 
One  specimen  with  20  segments,  last  segiment  153  /J-   long  by  195 
/i    broad.     Genital  pores  near  anterior  corner  of  segment;  cirrus 
pouch  large,   extending  over  halfway  across  the  segment. 
Type  specimens:  Collection  Rosseter;  Collection  Stiles. 
Life  history:  Cysticercold  in  Cypris  cinera  Brady. 
Hosts:    Adults   in    tame    duck    (Anas   boschas   dom.),    experi- 
mentally by  Rosseter;  Bengal  duck  (Anas  sp  ?)  by  Rosseter. 

Geographical    distribution:    Canterbury    (Kent),    England,    by 
Roisseter. 

Rosseter  (1891A.,  p.  438)  presented  a  communication  to  the 
Royal  Microscopical  Society  stating  that  he  had  infected  ducks 
with  a  cysticercus  and  thus  raised  Taenia  lanceolata.  There 
were  from  180-200  minute  hooks  on  the  head.  A  fuller  account 
is  given  in  his  second  paper,  in  which  Rosseter  (1891B.,  pp. 
224-228)  states  that  he  examined  the  Cypridae  of  a  pond  near 
Canter'bury  for  cysticercoids,  and  noticed  that  Cypris  cinera 
Brady  contained  two  species  of  parasites.  One  was  the  larval 
form  of  Taenia  coronula  (=Dieranotaenia  coronula);  a  less 
commoh  form  occurred  in  about  2  per  cent,  of  those  examined. 
The  latter  form  is  oval,  invaginated  anteriorly  and  provided 
with  a  long  caudal  appendage;  cyst  is  not  fenestrated.  While 
developing,  its  substance  submits  to  active  conti'actions, 
but  when  fully  developed  to  a  point  where  it  can  be  trans- 
mitted to  vertebrates  it  remains  quiescent;  rostellum  invag- 
inated, bearing  a  crown  of  10  hooks  32  fi  long,  of  which  three- 
fifths  are  occupied  by  the  dorsal  root;  ventral  -root  rather  trun- 
cate; prong  short  and  slightly  curved.  Suckers  oval,  armed 
with  about  132  booklets,  arranged  symmetrically  around  the 
suckers;  the  hooks  are  very  delicate,  about  5  /i  long. 

A  large  number  of  crustaceans  were  fed  to  a  duck  daily  from 
February  19  to  March  21.  Upon  killing  the  duck  a  considerable 
number  of  tapeworms,  which  showed  the  same  characters  as 
the  cysticercold,  were  found  in  the  upper  portion  of  the  small 
intestine.  The  largest  was  1.27mni  long;  the  greater  number  of 
specimens  possessed  17  segments.  Male  organs  were  well  de- 
veloped, but  the  female  organs  were  not  visible.  Rosseter  be- 
lieved that  the  adult  parasite  which  he  had  thus  developed  was 
Taenia  lanceolata  Goeze. 

Blanchard  (1S81B,  pp.  420-42S,  figs.  1-2)  examined  some  of 
Rosseters  material  and  recogrnized  that  this  form  was  not 
identical    with    T.    lanceolata.     He    romparpd    it    with    all    the 


630 

other  species  recorded  for  ducks,  and  with  other  avian,  tape- 
worms possessing-  10  hooks  on  the  head  an'd  unilateral  genital 
pores,  and  concluded  that  liosseter's  cestode  represented  the 
type  (E.  Rosseteri  R.  Bl.)  of  a  new  genus  (Echinocotyle  R.  Bl.). 
He  added  that  Rosseter  had  recently  informed  him  that  he 
had  sometime  previous  to  the  discovery  of  the  cysticercoid 
placed  some  ducks  imported  from  Calcutta  on  the  pond  in 
which  he  had  discovered  the  parasites;  upon  making-  an  au- 
topsy on  one  of  these  ducks  Rosseter  found  it  infested  with 
Echinocotyle.  Blanchard  concluded  from  this  that  the  Bengal 
ducks  imported  the  parasites  with  them  and  infected  the  pond 
in  question.  Blanchard  discusses  the  adult  worm,  and  from 
this  description  the  specific  diagnosis  given  above  is  written. 
Rosseter  (1892,  pp.  361-366,  Pis.  XXII-XXIII)  again  discusses 
this  species  and  fig'ures  it. 

Regarding  the  supposed  introduction  of  this  parasite  into 
England  by  ducks  fro^m  Calcutta,  the  idea  advanced  by  Blan- 
chard seeims  very  plausible.  At  the  same  time  however,  Blan- 
chard states  (p.  424)  that  neither  he  nor  Rosseter  have  been 
able  to  examine  any  adult  specimens.  Now,  had  the  Bengal 
ducks  brought  the  parasites  with  them,  would  not  the  duck 
examined  by  Rosseter  have  been  infested,  in  all  probability, 
with  the  adult  form,  although  they  unquestionably  could  also 
have  become  infected  -with  a  new  generation  from  the  crusta- 
ceans? I  hardly  see  why  the  fact  that  two  Bengal  ducks  were 
placed  upon  this  pond  a  short  time  before  Rosseter  discovered 
the  parasites  in  the  crustaceans  bears  anything  more  than  a 
possible  (but  not  necessary  or  probable)  connection  with  the 
presence  of  this  species  in  England;  the  parasite  has  not  yet 
been  recorded  from  Bengal. 

Genus   OPHRTOCOTTLE   Frlis,    1869. 
[PI.   XIX,   figs.   252-2&5."l 

Diagnosis:  Head  enlarged  anteriorily,  without  rostellum,  but 
with  several  infundibula  whose  borders  are  armed  with  a  very 
large  number  of  small  hooks;  suckers  armed  with  several 
transverse  rows  of  hooks;  genital  pores  irreg-ularly  alternate. 
Tj-'pe  species:  O.   proteus  Friis.  1S69.     Development  unknown. 

Hosts:   Birds. 

No  mcinlKM-s  of  this  genus  are  kiiown  from  ddiiK's- 
tieated   birds  ov   fi'om   veiy   closely  allied   wild  birds, 


631 

but  two  species,  O.  proteus  Fiiis,  1SG9  (Syn.  1875,  O. 
Laeazii  Villot),  and  O.  insiguis  LoiinlK'i-g,  are  described 
fiom  wild  birds. 

I  Infundibulum  divided  into  5  parts;  strobila  10mm 

to  25mm  long",  with  about  19  segrnents;  hooks  on 

I      suckers     arranged    in     three     rows;     found     in 

!      Tring-a    alpina,    Charadrius    hiaticula,    CalidTis 

I      arenaria.    Larus    canus.    Limosa   rufa    O.  proteus. 

Infundibulum  not  divided,  but  its  order  undu- 
I  lated;;  strobila  .^0"lm  to  100mm  and  more  long; 
t      foumd    in    tlaematopu-s    ostrealegus     O.  insignis. 

GENUS  INCERT.    TAENIA    S.    L. 

A  number  of  other  tapeworms  have  been  described 
from  domesticated  fowls,  but  their  generic  ]»()sition 
can  not  be  determined  with  the  data  at  hand. 

27.  TAENIA    CANTANIANA    Polonio,     1860. 
[PI.    XX,     fig.    256.] 

Polonio  (1860,  pp.  21-22)  describes  a  supposed  new 
species  of  tapeworm  as  follows: 

1.  T.  Cantaniana  Polonio.  Caput  globosum,  centro  unbona- 
tum;  acetabulis  cruciatim  oppositis  ob  majorem  capitis  circu- 
lum;  collum  nullum  ;corpus  retrorsum  dilatatum,  articulis 
supremis  campanaeformibus,  setquentibus  campanaeformibus 
imbricatis  trapezoidalis;  aperturae  genitales  marginales.  Long, 
0.013. 

HabitiQculum:  Meleagris  Gallopavo,  in  intestina,  Octobri 
Patavi  (Polonio). 

In  his  second  paper  (1860,  p.  221)  this  form  is  cited  and  is 
figured  on  Taf.  VII,  2  (vide  PI.  XIX.  fig.  256  of  this  paper). 
The  pores  are  evidently  unilateral.  Von  Linstow  (1878,  p.  122) 
includes  this  among  the  parasites  of  the  pheasant  Phasianus 
colchicus,  but  does  not  give  his  authority. 

All  subsequent  remarks  upon  this  species  are  based  upon 
Polonio's  statemlpnts.  Blanchard  K1891B  pp.  4.39-440)  thinks 
this  form  may  possibly  belong  to  the  genus  Davainea,  and 
takes  the  following  characters  from  Polonio's  figure: 

Suckers  large  and  round;  the  head  seems  to  be  surmounted 
by  a  very  short  rostellum,  probably  retractile.  The  neck  is 
quite  long,  distinctly  separated  from  the  head.     Segments  num- 


632 

ber  about  60.  Genital  pores  unilateral;  cirrus  pouch  visible  in 
twenty-sixth  to  forty-fifth  segments;  forty-sixth  to  sixtieth  seg- 
ments are  gravid.  The  eggs,  so  far  as  can  be  judged  from  the 
figure,  are  scattered  and  isolated  as  in  D.  proglottina. 

I  can  not  see  (hat  rolonio's  description  and  figure 
are  sufficient  to  compel  or  even  to  allow  the  recogni- 
tion of  this  specific  name.  If  the  types  can  be  obtained 
and  restudied,  it  would  of  course  be  proper  to  rede- 
scribe  them  under  the  specific  name  cantaniana,  but 
until  those  types  can  be  found  it  is  useless  to  waste 
time  speculating  as  to  the  possible  generic  or  specific 
relations  of  the  parasite.  I  propose  to  ignore  the 
species  entirely,  on  the  ground  that  the  specific  name 
has  not  been  accompanied  by  a  recogni/.able  descrip- 
tion or  figure. 

28.  Taenia    Delatondl    Rallllet,    1892. 

(1891,    "Taenia  sphenocephala  Rud.,"  1810,   of  Megnin.) 

[PI.   XX,  figs.   257-262.-1 

Diagnosis:  Strobila  7cm  to  IScm  long,  3mm  to  4mm  broad. 
Head  hemispherical,  rostellum.  and  hooks  absent.  Suckers 
large.  Neck  O.Smm  or  more  long,  at  first  as  broad  as  head,  en- 
larging distally.  Proximal  segments  very  short,  following  seg- 
ments slightly  longer  and  very  broad,  lateral  margins  convex. 
Genital  pores  irregularly  alternate,  situated  near  the  anterior 
quarter  of  the  lateral  border;  two  lateral  ramefied  uteri  visible 
as  two  longitudinal  rows  of  opaque  spots;  another  submedian 
series  formed  by  recaptaculum  seminis;  testicles  rather  num- 
erous. Ova  globular  62  fi  to  65  fi  hooks  of  oncosphere  11  ^ 
long.     Development:   Unknown. 

Type  specimens:  In  Alfort  collection. 

Hosts:  Domestic  pigeons  (Columba  livia  domestica)  by  Del- 
fond,  Railliet,  Megnin,  and  von  Linstow.  Geographical  dis- 
tribution: France  and   Germany. 

Tliis  appears  to  be  a  very  peculiar  form.  Its  syste- 
matic position,  as  well  as  its  synonymy  and  anatomy, 
seem  io  me  extremely  uncertain. 


f533 

29.  TAENIA    EXILIS    UuJarUlii      1815. 

Dujaidin  j>roposed  this  name  for  a  tapeworm  found 
in  chickens,  but  the  description  is  so  insufficient  that 
the  species  should  be  i«;nored  entirely.  The  original 
description  reads     : 

"Je  proposerai  de  nommer  Taenia  exilis  un  autre  taenia  de 
la  poule,  bien  different  aur-si  des  precedents,  mais  dont  je 
n'ai  pas  encore  eu  la  tete:  il  est  long  de  20mm  a  (?).  large  de 
0.l5"im  en  avant  ,et  de  0.95iiim  en  arriere,  forme  d'articles  courts, 
transverses;  les  orifices  genitaux  sont  unilateraux;  les  penis 
sent  lisses,  assez  longs,  larges  de  0.015mm  precedes  par  une 
ample  vesicule  seminale.  remplie  des  spermatozoides  en  eche- 
veau;  les  oeufs,  presque  globuleux,  ont  trois  enveloppes; 
I'externe  longue  de  0.0r)6mm  a  0.065mm;  la  moyenne  de  0.054mm: 
I'interne  de  0.032mm;  remlbryon,  long  de  0.025mm,  a  des  crochets 
long  de  0.0125mm." 

Airlong  (1875,  pp.  427-431)  claims  to  have  found  the 
same  worm,  although  it  is  not  at  all  evident  why  he 
should  think  his  form  identical  with  Dujardin's 
species.     He  gives  the  following  characters: 

Head  is  0.48mm  long  by  0.60mm  broad,  suckers  orbicular  0.20mm 
diameter;  rostellum  short  43  fx  in  diameter,  with  a  simple  crown 
of  60  hooks  8  fi  long;  neck  5mm  long  by  O.lSmm  broad;  segments 
much  broader  than  long;  anterior  segments  0.33mm  to  0.37mm 
by  49  p.  to  50  fi.  then  Immi  by  0.12mm;  middle  segments  1.5mm 
(anterior  border)  to  1.8mm  (posterior  border)  by  0.6mm.  Genital 
pores  unilateral  in  anterior  third  of  segment.  Penis  36  /*  by  6 
fi.  Eggs  globular,  outer  memibrane  58  fi  to  64  //.  inner  mem- 
brane 30  fi  to  32  fi:  hooks  of  oncosphere  16  fi. 

80.  TAENIA  IMBUTIFORMIS  Polonlo,    1860. 

(1893,   Mesocestoides  imbutiformis  (Polonio,  1860)  Raillict.) 

[PI.  XX,  fig.  263.")  • 

Diagnosis:  8mm  long,  head  small,  suckers  circular.  Neck  ab- 
sent. Posterior  portion  of  strobila  thick,  anterior  segments 
linear;  following  segment.s  bell  or  funnel  shaped;  posterior  seg- 
ments linear  bell-shaped.  Genital  pores  situated  on  one  of  the 
surfaces    of   the   segments.     Development:    Unknown. 


G34 

Hosts:  Wild  geese  (Anse.r  anser)  by  Polonio,  ISfiO;  von  Lin- 
stow  (1878,  p.  155)  records  it  in  do.m/esticated  <lu(ks  (Anas 
boachas  dom.),   but  I  can  not  trace  his  authority. 

Geogi-aphical  distribution:  Padua  (by  Polonio).  Polonio  is 
apparently    the   only   author   who    has  seen   this    worm. 

Polonio  (1860A,  p.  22)  gives  the  following  as  original 
diagnosis: 

;;.  T.  imbutiformis  Polonio.  Corpus  retrorsum  inerassatum; 
caput  minimum;  acetabulis  orbicularibus  anticis;  collum 
nullum;  articuli  supreml  lineares,  posteriores  campanulato-  im- 
butiformes,  ultimi  campanulati,  aperturae  genitales  laterales 
elliptica-?.     Long,  0.01. 

Habitaculum:  Anser  ferus,  in  intestlnis,  Octob.  et  Nov. 
Patavii  (Polonio). 

Polonio  (1860B,  p.  121)  simply  mentions  the  parasite  in  his 
list,  and  gives  a  very  unsatisfactory  figure  of  the  worm.  In 
this  figure  a  prominent  body  near  the  lateral  margin  is  looked 
upon  as  the  genital  pore.  This  body  has  much  mo're  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  testicle,  cirrus  pouch,  or  of  a  receptaculum 
semlnis  than  it  has  of  a  genital  pore.  I  am  therefore  inclined 
to  doubt  very  much  whether  this  species  is  correctly  placed  by 
Railliet  (1893,  pp.  313-314)  in  the  genus  Mesocestoides.  Foirther- 
more,  the  form  is  altogether  too  insufficiently  described  to  be 
recognizable.  The  figure  shows  extreme  contraction  near  the 
head. 

31.  TAENIA    MEGALOPS    Nitzsch,    1829. 

(1825,  Taenia  anatis  marila  Crei)lin.» 

[PI.   XX,   figs.  264-267.] 

Diagnosis:  Strobila  up  to  52mm  long  by  O.omm  brt)ad  proxi- 
mally,  and  0.75mm  broad  distally.  Head  very  lai'ge.  rather  tet- 
ragonal, 1.4mm  broad;  suckers  0.57mni  to  0.64mm  in  diameter; 
rostellum  absent  (?)  or  not  prominent  and  (?)  without  hooks. 
Anterior  segments  very  short,  12  trmes  as  broad  as  long;  pos- 
terior segments  twice  as  broad  as  long,  "narrowed  at  the  base, 
spread  in  form  of  a  bell,"  colored  yellowish  by  small  longi- 
tudinal lines.  Genital  po-res  unilateral.  Penis  smooth,  tubu- 
lar, 70  /i  hy  23  fi  "situated  on  a  very  prominent  and  swollen 
tubercle."  Ova  globular  with  2  membranes;  outer  membrane 
47  fi.   inner  3S    (/   in  diameter:  oncosphere  32  fi.  hooks  15  /z;  the 


635 

eg-g-s  are  scattered  through  the  median  portion  of  the  seg-ments. 
Development:  Unknown. 

Hosts:  Tame  ducli  (Anas  boschas  dom.);  Brazilian  teal  (A. 
braziliensis);  European  teal  (A.  crecca);  pintail  (Dafila  acuta); 
white-headed  duck  (Eris.matura  leucocephala) ;  tufted  duck 
(Aythya  fulig-ula);  European  scaup  duck  (A.  marila);  African 
teal  (A.  nyroca). 

The  chief  character  for  this  worm  is  the  large  head, 
but  it  seems  extremely  doubtful  whether  this  should 
be  taken  as  the  basis  of  a  species.  The  parasite  cer- 
tainly can  not  be  recognized  \Yith  certainty  from  thc^ 
present  description,  and  should  be  considered  as  a 
doubtful  species  until  some  of  the  original  specimens 
can  be  restudied. 

32.  TAENIA  NIGROPUNCTATA   Crety,    1890. 
[PI.   XX.   figs.   268-270.^ 

Diagnosis:  Strobila  to  140mm  in  length.  Head  small,  0.382m"i 
broad;  (?)  rostellum  and  hooks  absent;  suckers  0.166mm  by 
0.137mm.  Neck  short,  about  same  breadth  as  head.  Young: 
seg-ments  rectang-ular,  0.5mm  long  by  1mm  broad;  older  seg-- 
ments  almost  quadrangxilar,  2mm  long  by  1.5mm  broad;  mature 
segments  2.5mm  to  3mm  long  by  1mm  broad.  Genital  pores  ir- 
regularly alternate,  slig'htly  posterior  to  the  middle  of  the  mar- 
gin. Male  genitalia:  in  posterior  portion  of  segment,  testicles 
12  in  number,  diameter  58  fi.  equally  distributed  at  sides  of  the 
uterus;  vas  deferens  convoluted  in  its  lateral  portion  and  in- 
flated to  vesicula  seminalis  0.176mm  by  0.098mm  within  the  cirrus 
pouch;  cirrus  pouch  pyriform,  0.313mm  by  0.137mm.  Female 
genitalia:  Ovary  vitellogene  gland,  shell  gland?  At  anterior 
border  of  the  segment  a  spot  is  observed  in  the  median  line; 
from  this  a  median  stem  runs  distally  and  is  divided  near  the 
height  of  the  pore  into  two  portions;  the  posterior  portion,  at 
least,  represents  the  uterus.  Ova  62  n.  with  3  shells;  oncos- 
phere 46  fi  by  40  /i;. hooks  15  fi. 

Host:  Migratory  quail  (Coturnix  coturnix). 

33.     TAENIA   sp.    Conard,    MS. 
[PI.   XXI,   figs.   275-276.] 

^Iv.  Henry  S.  Conard  (Haverford  College)  has  re- 
cently   studied   some  tapeworms   from    chickens,  evi- 


636 

deullj  liuding  inure  tJian  one  species.  He  has  kindly 
placed  the  following  abstract  of  his  work  upon  one 
of  these  forms  at  my  disposal,  })rior  to  the  publication 
of  his  article. 

Head  round-conical,  somewhat  four-angled,  broader  than 
long-  (0.098mm  to  0.136mm  long;  O.llmm  to  0.192mm  broad).  Aceta- 
bula  round  to  elliptical,  0.06mm  in  diameter,  directed  slightly 
forward.  Neck  distinct,  terete,  0.5cm  long.  Proglottides  trape- 
zoidal, broader  than  long.  Genital  apertures  marginal,  always 
on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  segment,  slightly  in  front  of  the 
middle.  The  male  organs  comprise  a  testis;  veslcula  semina- 
lis,  cirrus  sac  and  cirrus,  vesicula  and  cirrus  being  the  most 
prominent  organs  of  the  whole  segment.  Cirrus  very  short, 
roughened  with  minute  prickles  about  perpendicular  to  its  sur- 
face. Female  organs  consist  of  a  narrow  vagina,  large  recep- 
taculm  seminis,  and  a  comimon  ovary  and  uterus  (See  von  Lin- 
stow,  1893).  Vagina  and  cirrus  sac  are  in  the  same  trans- 
verse plane  and  pass  dorsal  to  both  longitudinal  canals. 
Length  35mm;  breadth  0.046mm  to  0.47mm;  thickness  0.046mm  to 
0.113mm.  Number  of  segments  about  600,  becoming  as  much  as 
0.39mm  long.  Egg  about  0.026mm  in  diameter;  embryos  ellip- 
soidal, 0.016mm  in  diameter;  emibryo  ellipsoidal,  0.016mm  by 
0.0225mm;  hooks  about  0.008mm  long. 

Hab:  In  small  intestine  of  comimon  fowl,  shortly  back  of 
g'izzard. 

Mr.  Conard  looks  upon  this  form  as  a  species  of 
Davainea  "with  unilateral  pores,"  although  lie  has 
not  as  yet  found  any  liooks  upon  rlie  head.  Final  de- 
cision regarding  the  form  must  be  reserved  until  tlie 
appearance  of  Mr.  Conard's  paper. 

FIMBRIARIA  Frollch,    1802. 

1892,   Epision   Linton.) 
[PI.  XXI.  fig.  271.1 

This  genus  was  proposed  first  by  Frolich,  and  later 
by  Linton,  for  tapeworm  with  an  anterior  hammer-like 
extremity.  The  scolex  is  generally  (?  always)  wanting. 
Three  species  F.  malleus  ((loeze,  ITSii)  Frolich.  F.  mi- 


637 

trata,  and  E.  plicatns  have  Ixhmi  described,  but  most 
autliors  include  them  all  under  llie  general  term  Taenia 
malleus,  which  souie  writers  look  upou  as  a  patholo 
gical  condition  rather  than  a  distinct  species  or  genus. 
34.  F.  malleus  has  been  recorded  from  a  large  num- 
ber of  \N  ild  birds  as  well  as  from  domesticated  fowls, 
but  so  far  as  known  it  does  not  play  any  important 
pathogenic  role.  (vSee  Dujardin,  p.  587,  for  the  earlier 
literature.) 

IDIOGENES    Krabbe.    1868. 
[PI.  XXI,  figs.  272-274.1 

The  genus  Idiogenes  with  the  type  and  only  species 
I.  otidis  was  j)ro[»osed  by  Krabbe  for  a  tapeworm  in 
which  the  scolex  is  wanting;  the  anterior  segments  be- 
come caliciform  and  function  as  a  pseudo-scolex.  (For 
an  anatomical  description  see  Zschokke,  1889,  pp.  114- 
127.  PI.  Ill,  figs.  30-47.) 

This  avian  tapeworm  had  not  yet  been  recorded  from 
poultry. 

-ADDENDUM. 

During  the  final  proof  reading  of  this  paper,  I  have 
received  a  recent  ai'ticle  by  Kailliet  (1896),  in  which 
several  new  propositions  are  made  concerning  certain 
parasites  mentioned  in  this  report. 

Dipylidiinae:  The  name  of  the  subfamily,  Cystoi- 
dotaeniae,  is  changed  to  Dipylidinae.  This  change  is 
in  accordance  with  the  International  Code  and  should 
be  adopted,  the  word,  however,  being  written  Dipyli- 
diinae. 

Choanotaenia :  Railliet  proposes  a  new  genus,  with 
Taenia  infundibuliformis  Goeze  as  type,  in  the  follow- 
ing words: 


638 

Le  Taenia  infundibuliformis  Geoeze,  que  j'avais  i)lace  prov- 
isoirement  dans  le  genre  Drepanidotaenia,  s'en  distingue  par 
Ic  grand  aiombre  des  testicules,  et  d'une  maniere  generale  par 
la  constitution  de  I'appareil  repruducteur  (Crety).  II  merite 
done  do  devenir  le  type  d'un  nouveau  genre  Choanotaenia  (de 
xSavov  entonnoi'r).  Ch.  infundibuliformis,  intestin  de  la  poule. 
(P.   159.) 

Although  I  recognized  the  great  dili'erence  iu  orgau- 
izatiou  between  T.  infundibuliformis  (as  described  by 
Grety)  and  the  other  species  of  Taenia  which  have  been 
placed  in  Drepanidotaenia,  and  am  inclined  to  consider 
it  geuerically  distinct  from  these  worms  (see  p.  012), 
and  although  I  have  the  highest  regard  for  the  opin- 
ion of  my  colleague  and  for  his  keen  foresight,  parti- 
cularly in  systematic  questions,  I  prefer  to  reserve 
judgment  upon  his  new  genus  until  its  type  species 
and  a  few  allied  forms  are  more  thoroughly  under- 
stood, especially  as  it  appears  to  me  that  T.  Infundi- 
buliformis, as  determined  by  various  authors^  is  rather 
a  heterogenous  and  collective  species, 

Dicranotaenia  spheuoides:  Railliet  correctly  sup- 
presses the  specific  name  cuneata  Linstow  uec  Batch 
(see  p.  595). 

EXPLANATION    OF    CHART. 

In  the  following  chart  I  have  given  the  records  of 
the  tapeworms  found  in  the  domesticated  poultry  and 
in  the  allied  wild  birds.  The  sign  d  signifies  that  the 
parasite  is  recorded  only  for  domesticated  birds,  ><  for 
wild  birds.  O  both  domesti'\nted  and  Avild  birds. 

The  nnmes  of  the  hosts  are  given  at  the  left,  those 
of  the  parasites  at  the  top.  The  fii'st  row  of  numbers 
refers  to  the  numbers  in  the  A.  O.  TT.  check  list  of 
North  Ameiican  biids,  the  second  column  of  numbers 


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639 

to  the  eoiTespaudiiig  numbers  in  von  Linstow's  Com- 
pendium of  Helmintliology  (ii^T8,  1885)). 

Fm-  the  revision  of  tlie  host  names  I  am  indebted  to 
Drs.  Fisher  and  Palmer,  of  the  Division  of  Ornithology. 
As  many  of  the  host  names  used  by  helminthologists 
are  not  used  by  modern  ornithologists,  these  gentle- 
men have  traced  out  the  proper  names  of  the  birds  in 
question  from  the  host  names  given  in  helminthologi- 
cal  articles. 

In  noting  the  species  of  parasites  under  the  various 
hosts,  it  has  been  extremely  difficult  to  determine  what 
records  should  be  accepted  and  what  ones  should  be 
rejected.  As  nearly  all  of  the  older  records  are  based 
ui)on  determinations  by  external  form  instead  of  in- 
lerunl  anatomy,  I  believe  the  time  has  come  when  we 
sliould  begin  an  entirely  new  series  of  records  of 
hosts.^ 

All  records  of  tapeworms,  except  in  the  case  of  typi' 
s[)ecimens  where  the  determination  has  been  made 
solely  upon  external  form,  should.  I  believe,  be  taken 
only  as  approximate  and  provisional. 


iThis  can  easily  be  accomplished  if  helminthologists  will  des- 
ig'nate  all  new  records  in  some  way.  In  the  Revision  of  the 
Adult  Cestodes  of  Cattle,  Sheep,  and  Allied  Animals,  and  also 
in  my  recent  article  on  Fasciola  magna,  I  have  commenced 
such  a  new  series  of  host  determinations  for  the  parasites  of 
the  domesticated  animals  by  starring  (*)  the  parasites  under 
each  host  in  those  cases  where  I  have  examined  the  species 
of  parasites  from  the  host  in  question  (or  from  ntaterial  said 
to  liave  come  from  that  host,  as  T.  denticulata.  for  instance. 
This  latter  record   is.  in  my  opinion,   erroneous.) 


R40 


DESCKIPTION  OF  PLATES. 

IMate   1.    Figs.   1-11. — Cotugnia   Jigunoiioia. 

Fig.     1.  Head  and   neck.    x8. 

Fig.     2.  Head  and  neck  in  press  preparation.     Zeiss  2,  A. 

Fig.    3.  View    of   armed    rostellum,    enface,    pTcss   preparation; 

cgl.,    ?  glandular  cells  of  rostellum.    Zeiss.  3,   C. 
Fig.     4.  View   of   hooks   on    rostellum.     Zeiss   2,    1-12. 
Fig.     5.  Side   view  of  isolated  hook.     Zeiss  3,  1-12. 
Fig.    6.  Four  young   segments   with   genital   anlagen.    x8. 
Fig.     7.  Three    j'oung   segments:    d.,    vas    deferens;    ov.,    ovary. 

Zeiss,   1,   a3. 
Fig.     S.  Segments    from    middle    of    strobila    with    organs    more 

completely   developed:    d.,    vas   deferens;    t.,    testicles; 

tp.,   cirrus  pouch;  ov.,   ovary.     Zeiss   I,  aS. 
Fig.     9.  Still    older   segments   in   which    the     "ovaric     ca/psules" 

(^egg  sacs)    ai'e   developing:   ag.,     genital   pore;    co., 

"ovaric   capsules"=:egg   sacs;    d.,    vas    deferens;    ov., 

ovary;  p.,   cirrus;  tp.,  cirrus  pouch;  v.,   vagina.     Zeiss 

1,   a3. 
Fig.  10.  End   segments   with   oncosphere:   ag.,   genital   pore;   co., 

eggs. 
Fig.  11.  Longitudinal   section   of  mature    segment:    co.,    "ovaric 

capsules,,=egg  sacs;  em.,  oncosphere;  ie,  eggshell;  g., 

eggshell;    pr.,    parenchyma.     Zeiss    2.    1-12. 
All  figures  from  Pasquale,  1890,  figs.  1-11. 

Plate   II,    Figs.    12-29.— Cotugnia   bifaTia  and    Amabilia   lamelli- 

gera. 

[Figs.    12-n.*  Cotugnia  bifaria,  after  Monticelli.  1891,  Taf.   VIII. 
figs.   8-13.] 

Fig.  12.  Head  and  anterior  segments,  greatly  enlarged.  Mon- 
ticelli,  fig.  8. 

Fig.  13.  Young  segiments.  enlarged  on  same  scale.  Monticelli, 
fig.   9. 

Fig.  14.  Middlf  segments  enlarged  nn  same  scale.  Monticelli, 
fig-.    10. 

Fig.  ir>.  Knd  segments,  enlarged  i>n  sanv  «<;il«',  Monticblli, 
fi.?.    11. 


641 

Fig.  16.  Segment  mounted  in  glycerine  and  acetic  acid,  showing 
genital  organs;  ag.,  genital  pore;  df..  vas  deferens; 
ov.,  ovary;  rse.,  vesicula  seminalis;  t.,  testicles;  v., 
vagina.     Greatly    enlarged.     Monticelli,    fig.    12. 

Fig.   17.   Armed    cirrus,    greatly    enlarged.     Monticelli,    fig.    13. 

[Figs.      18-20.     Amabilia      lamelligera.     Owen's     (1835)      original 
figures.] 

Fig.  18.  Adult    strobila,    natural    size.     Owen's    fig.    21. 

Fig.  19.  "Four  segments  of  the  same  magnified."  Owen's  fig. 
22. 

Fig.  20.  "Longitudinal  section  of  3  posterior  segments,  show- 
ing the  ova  collected  near  the  base  of  the  lemniscus." 
Owen's  fig.  23. 

Plate   III,    Figs,    21-36.— Dicranotaenia   coronula,    Dieranotaenia 
aequail)ilis.    Dicranotaenia  furcigera,  and   Taenia  conica. 

[Figs.    21-28.     Dicranotaenia  coronula:  21-24   after  Krabbe.  1869; 
25-28  after  Mrazek,  1890.] 

Fig.  21.  Anterior    portflon    of    scolex    with    hooks.     x240.     After 

Krabbe,  1S69,  Tab.  VIII,  fig.  216.     Host:  Domesticated 

duck. 
Pig.  22.  Isolated  hook.     x920.     After  Krabbe,  1869.  Tab.  VIII,  fig. 

217. 
Fig.  23.  Isolated    ovum    with    oncosphere.     x240.     After    Krabbe. 

Tab.  VIII,  1869,   fig.  218. 
Fig.24.  Isolated  hook.     x920.     After  Krabbe,  1869,  Tab.  VIII,  fig. 

219.     From     Coll.      Siebnld.     Host:     European     golden 

eye  (Glaucionetta  clangula). 

[Figs.    25-28.     Cysticercoids    from    Cypris    <ivum    and    C    cnm- 

liressa. 

Fig.  25.  Fully  developed  larva,  showing  the  scolex  invaginated 
in  the  cyet;  and  the  long  tail  with  the  6  oncospherlc 
hooks;  ex..  excretory  system:  li..  cuticle;  "X'U?  "pores 
of  the  cuticle"  or  ?  muscles;  hp.,  hypodermis;  p.. 
I  arenchyma  of  neck,  with  calcareous  corpuscles. 
After  Mrazek.  1890,  Tab.  V.  fig.  Tl. 

Fi.g.  26.  Another  view  of  a  cysticercoid.  After  Mrazek.  1890. 
Tab.   V.   fig.   12. 

Fig.  27.  a-c.  Isolated  hooks.  After  Mrazek.  1890.  Tab.  V.  fig. 
13a-c. 

41-11 


042 

V\g.  28a-o.  Onons|>hfi-ir  hodUs.  Al'l.i  .Miaz<'k,  \XW.  Tali.  \'.  lig. 
14a-c. 

IFifTP.    .'!'-:!n.     Dicraimta'.  nia    aeriuabilis.  1 

Fig.  29.  Five  hooks  from  the  rostellum.  x240.  Afttr  Krabhe. 
1869,  Tab.  VIII.  fig.  212,  fiom  RiKloiphi's  oiiigrinal  ma- 
terial in  the  Berlin  Museum. 

Fijr.  .-^.n.  Isolated  hn.ik  from-  the  roptpllum.  x920.  After  Krabbe. 
1869,  Tab.  \'1I1.  Hk-  -'-.  finm  sixM-inT-ii  in  <'re))lin's 
eollection. 

[Figs.    .31-34.     Dicranntacnia    furcigeirt.| 

Fig.  .'U.  Lsolated  hook  from  the  rostellum.  x20.  After  Duj.ir- 
din,    1845,    PI.    IX.    Fig.    A.     Host:   Wild   duck. 

Fig.  32.  Isolated  hook  from  the  rostellum.  x920.  After  Krabbc 
1869,  Tab.  VIII,  fig.  206,  from  Nitzsch's  original  ma- 
terial.    (See   Rudolphi,   1819,    p.   528.)     Host:   Mallard. 

Fig.  3.3.  Ovum  with  oncosphere.  x240.  After  Krabbe,  1869.  Tab. 
YIII,    fig.    207,    from   Nitzsch's   original    material. 

Fig.  34.  Ten  hooks  on  rostellum.  x240.  After  Krabbe,  1869. 
Tab.  VIII,  fig.  206,  from  material  collected  in  Iceland 
in  1863.     Host:   Mallard. 

Fig.  35-36.     Taenia  conica=?  Dicranotaenia  furcigera.  ] 

Fig.  35.  Natural    size:   a,    head;    b,    rostellum;     c,     body.      After 

Molin,   Tab.   VII,   fig.   1. 
Fig.  36.  Enlarged.     After   Molin,    1861,    Tab.    VII,    fig.   2. 

Plate   IV,    Figs.   37-53. — Dicranotaenia   sphenoides  and   Drepani- 
dotaenia   lanceolata. 

Figs.   37-42.     Dicranotaenia   sphenoides. 

Fig.  37.  Strobila,    natural    size.     After    von    Linstow,    1872,    Taf. 

III.   fig.  9a,  of  Taenia  cuneata. 
Fig.  38.  Scolex    and    anterior    segments,    enlarged.     After    von 

Linstow.  1872,  Taf.  Ill,  fig.  9,  of  T.  cuneata. 
Fig.  39.  Isolated  hook  from  the  rostellum.     After  von  Linstow. 

1872,  Taf.   Ill,   fig.  10,  T.   cuneata. 
Fig.  40.  Cysticercoiif  from  an  earthworm.     Koritska,  or.   3.  obj. 

4.     After  Grassi   &   Rovelli,   1892.    Tav.    IV,    fig.    12. 
Fig.  41.  TransAeise   section   of   the   same:    cav.,    "cavity   of   the 

gastrula;"  cis.,  cyst;  par.  est.,  external  wall:  par.  int.. 

internal  wall;  ros..  restellum;  ven.,  sucker.     Koritska. 

oc.  3.  obj.  7.     After  Orassi   Rovelli,  1X92.   Tav.   IV,   fig. 

11. 


043 

Fig-.  IL'.  Tliivf  h'loks-  (b,  c,  aiul  d)  from  rnstr-llum  of  T.  ouiicata; 
Kuritska,  oc.  o,  obj.  8;  a  fourth  hook  ca)  greatly  tii- 
Urgea.    After  Grassi  &  Rovelli,  1892,  Tax.  IV,  lig.  i:i. 

LFigs.    4X-5:i.     Dreiianidotaeiiia    lanfeolata.) 

Fig.  43.  Original  type  figure.    After  Bloch,  1782.  Tab.  I,  Hg.  5. 
Fig.  44.  Anteri(jr   portion,   enlarged.     After    Blorh.    17S2,    Tab.    I, 

tig.   6. 
I'-ig.   4."..   Worm    from  a  goose.     Natural    sizv.     Aftf^r  (ioe/.f,    1782, 

Tab.  XXIX,  fig.  3. 
Kig.  4H.  The    eight    hooks    upon      the      rostelluiii.      x24(».       .XfttT 

Krabbe,  1869,  Tab.  VI  fig.  143. 
Fig.  47.  Two    isolated    hooks.     x920.     After    Krabbe,    1869,    Tab. 

VI,   fig.  144. 
Fig.  48.  Extruded  cirrus.     After  Feuereisen,  1868,  Taf.  X,  fig.  8. 
Fig.  49.  Cirrus  pouch  with  cirrus.     After  Feuereisen,  1868,  Taf. 

X,   fig.   9. 
Fig.  .')0.  Isolated     segment:     a,     cirrus     pouch;     c,     testicle;    i, 

vitellogene  gland;  k,  ovary;  m,  receptaculum  seminis 

and    vagina.     After   Feuereisen,    1868,    Taf.    X,    fig.    17. 

Some  misinterpretations  have  undoubtedly  been  made 

in  this  figure.     The  genital  system  must  be  restudied. 
Fig.  51.  Head    and    anterior    segments.    .  xlOO.      After     RaiUiet, 

1886,   fig.  16.3A;  also  Railliet,   1893,  fig.  195A. 
Fig.  52.  Ovum  with   oncosphere.     x300.     After  Railliet,   1886,   fig. 

163B;   also   Railliet  1893,    fig.   195  B. 
Fig.  53.  Heaid    and    anterior    segments.     xlOO.      After     Megnin. 

1881,  PI.   IV,  fig.  3. 

Plate     V,  Figs.  54-66.— Drepanidotaenia  laneeolata  and  Drepan- 
idoteania  fasciata. 

[Figs.    54-55.     Drepanidotaenia    laneeolata. "| 

Fig.  54.  Transverse    section     of    segment.     x20.     After    Megnin. 

1881,   PI.   IV,    fig.   6. 
Fig.  55.  Isolated  cirrus.     x50.     After  Megnin,  ISSl,  PI.  IV,  fig.  7. 

[Figs.    56-66.     Drepanidotaenia    fasciata.] 

Fig.  56.  Rostellum  with  5  of  the  8  hooks.     x240.     After  Krabb°. 

1869,   Tab.   VII,    fig.   156. 
Fig.  57.  Isolated  hook.     x920.     After  Krabbe,  1869,  Tab.  VII.  fig. 

157. 
Fig.  58.  Head    with    extended    rostellum     possessing     8     hooks. 

-After   Feuereisen   .1868,    Taf.   X.   fig.   1.     ("T.   setigera" 

:=Drep.   fasciata.) 


()44 

Fi^-.  r.it.  Isolati'fi  hodk.  After  Feuorc-isen,  1868,  Taf.  X,  fig.  2. 
("T.  setig:era"=Drep.  fasciata.) 

FiK.  HO.  (Mrrus  pouch.  After  Feuereisen,  1S6^,  Taf.  X,  tijj.  1. 
("T.   setig-era"^Drep.    fasciata.) 

Figs.  6l-fi2.  Ciirus  from  above  and  from  tlu-  n'.dir.  After 
Feuerei-sen,  1868,  Figs.  r>,  6.  ("T.  setigera'"=:Drpp. 
fasciata.) 

Figs.  6;!-t;6.  Isolated  segments:  a,  cirrus  pouch;  b,  genital  pore; 
c,  testicles;  d,  cirrus;  e,  vas  deferens  and  vesicula 
seminalis;  g,  vagina;  h,  genital  cloaca;  i,  vitellogene 
glands;  k,  ovary;  m,  receptaculum  seminis;  n,  uterus 
(?).  After  Feuereisen,  1S68,  Taf.  X,  figs.  10-13.  Feuer- 
eisen has  probably  misintenpreted  some  of  these 
organs  and   they   should  be  restudied. 

Plate    VI,    Figs.    67-76. — Drepanidotaenia    fasciata. 

Fig.  67.  Body  of  Cyclops  agilis,   containing  a  larval  tapeworm. 

After   Mrazek,    1890,    Tab.    V,    fig.    1. 
Fig.  68.  Larval   tapeworm,   with    enormously   long   tail,   isolated 

from    the    crustacean.     After    M'razek,    1890,    Tab.    V, 

figr.    2. 
Fig.  69.  (  ?  Side  view.)After  Mrazek,  1890,  Tab.  V,  fig.  3. 
Fig.  70.  Cysticercoid,    with   anterior   portion   of   the    tail.     After 

Mrazek,   1890,    Tab.   V,   fig.   5. 
Figs. 71-72.    Hooks    fromi    rostellum],    greatly     magnified.     After 

Mrazek,  1890,  Tab.  Y,  figs.  7-8. 
Figs.  73-75.  Hooks   as  seen  in  position  on   the  rostellum.     After 

Mrazek,    1890,    Tab.    V,    figs,   6   and   9a-b. 
Fig.  76.  After  Mrazek,  1890,  Tab.  V,  fig.  10. 

Plate  VII,  Figs.  77-91. — Drepanidotaenia  fasciata  and  Drepani- 
dotaenia   gracilis. 

[Figs.  77-79.     Drepanidotaenia  fasi-iata.] 

Fig.  77.  Cysticercoid    with    anterior     portion      of      tail.      After 

Mrazek,  1890,  Tab.  V  ,fig.  4. 
Fig.  78.  Cysticercoid  with  extended  head;  the  oncospheric  hooks 

are  still  visible  in  the  tail.     After  Mrazek,  1891.   Tab. 

V,    flg.    1. 
Fig.  79.  Isolated    hook    from    lostellum.      After     Mrazek,     1891, 

Tab.  V,   fig.   2. 

[Figs.    SO-91.     Dieiianidofaenia   giacilis.") 

Fig  80.  "Taenia  collo  longi.ssimo."  After  Bloch.  1872,  Taf.  III. 
fig.   3.     Is   perhaps  identical   with   Drep.   gracilis. 


(>45 

Fig-.  SI.   HeueJ    of    same,    enlaiKvl.     AfU-r    tUn.li.    1TS2.    Taf.    Ill, 

fig.  i. 
Fig.  82.  Anterior    portion    of    head,    showing    the    arrangement 

of  the  hooks  upon  the  rostellum.     x240.  After  Kiabl>?, 

1869,  Tab.  VIII,  flg.  154. 
Fig.  83.  Isolated   hooit.     x920.     After   Krabbe,   1869,   fig.   155. 
Fig.  84.  Strobila,    natural    size.     After     von     Linstow,      1872A, 

Taf.   XXI,  .fig.   3.     Host:   Goosander. 
Fig.  85.  Head.     x90.     After  von  Linstow,  1872A,  Taf.  XXI,  fig.  5. 
Fig.  86.  Isolated    hook.     x500.     After    von    Linstow,    1872A,    Taf. 

XXI,  fiff.  2. 
Fg.  87.  End    of    proglottid    with    extruded    ciiTus.     xl50.     After 

von  Linstow,  1872A  Taf.  XXI,  fig.  4. 
Fig.  88.  Head    of    Taenia    gracilis    tadornae    from    the    common 

sheldrake    (Tadorna    tadorna).     After   Lonnberg,    1889, 

PI.    I,   fig.   1. 
Fig.  89.  Free  cysticercoid  in  the  perch  (Pei'ca  fluviatilis).     x350. 

After  von  Linstow,  1872A,  PI.  XXI,  fig.  1. 
Fig.  90.  ExcretOTj'  system  of  the  head  and  neck      After  Mrazek, 

1891,  Tab.  V,  fig.  16.     Zeiss  3,  D. 
Fig.  91.  End  cell  of  excretory  system.     After  Mrazek,  1891,  Tal>. 

V,  fig.  17.     Zeiss  3,  F. 

Plato    VIII,    Figs.    92-99.— D'ltpanidotaenia    gracilis. 

Fig.  92.  A  cysticercoid  in  process  of  development.  A  differen- 
tiation is  noticed  into  the  body  and  the  tail,  and  a 
small  knob  is  noticed  on  the  anterior  extremity.  The 
6  oncospheric  hooks  are  present  in  the  tail.  After 
Mrazek,  1891,  Tab.  VI,  fig.   25. 

Fig.  93.  Another  stage  of  the  cysticercoid.  An  invagination  is 
noticed  on  the  anterior  extremity;  the  middle  portion 
of  the  body  is  occupied  by  a  cavity  filled  with  a 
spongy  tissue.     After  Mrazek,  1891,  Tab.  VI,  fig.  26. 

Fig.  94.  Cysticercoid  with  the  anterior  portion  of  the  tail:  h., 
peripheral  hyaline  layer;  e.,  excretory  canals;  pr., 
vibratory  cells  (see  PI.  VII,  fig),  "Pronephriostomes." 
Zeiss  3,   D.     After  Mrazek,   1891,   Tab.   V.   fig.   13. 

Fig.  95.  Normal  form  of  hook.  Zeiss  3,  F.  After  Mrazek,  1891, 
Tab.  V,  fig.  14. 

Figs.  96-98.  Three  hooks,  with  variously  arranged  chitiii.  Zeiss 
3,   D.     After  Mrazek,  1891,   Tab.   V,  fig.  15a-c. 

Fig.  99.  A  cysticercoid  with  extended  head:  r.,  rostellum;  c, 
cyst:  pr.,  tail  with  oncospheric  hooks.  Zeiss  1,  D. 
After   Mrazek,    1891,    Tab.    VI,    fig.    18. 


(;4i; 

Plate  IX,   Figs.   100-111.— Urepanidotaenia   anatina. 

Fi«.  100  Rostellum  with  5  of  the  10  hooks.  x240.  After  Krabbe. 
1S69,  Tab.  VI,  fig.  114. 

Fig.  101.  Isolated  hook.  x920.  After  Krabbe,  1869,  Tab.  VI,  fig. 
115. 

Fig.  102.     Ovu.m.     x240.     After  Krabbe,   1869,   Tab.  VI,  fig.   116. 

Fig.  103.  Transverse  section  of  a  portion  of  one  segment,  to 
show  the  anatomy:  h.,  testicles;  vd.,  vas  deferens; 
bk.,  fertilization  canal;  ut.,  uterus;  Im.,  longitudinal 
muscles;  s.  bl.,  vesicula  seminalis;  gz.,  ganglion  cells; 
ri.  s.,  praeputial  sac;  c,  cirrus;  cb.,  cirrus  pouch;  1. 
k.,  longitudinal  canals;  (small  dorsal  canal;  large 
ventral  canal);  r.  sem.,  receptaculum  seminis;  ov., 
ovary;  eig.,  oviduct;  d.  st.,  vitellogene  gland;  d.  g., 
vitello-duct;  sch.  dr.,  shell  gland;  af.,  canal  of  same. 
After  Schmidt,   1894,   Taf.   VI,   Fig.   C. 

Fig.  104.  Ovum  with  oncosphere.  After  Schmidt,  1894,  Taf.  VI, 
fig.  1. 

Fig.  105.  The  oncosphere  has  developed  into  a  round  mass  in 
which  a  cavity  appears.  After  Schmidt,  1894,  Taf. 
VI,   fig.  2. 

Fig.  106.  Stage  in  which  the  round  mass  has  become  elongate; 
ebl.,  terminal  vesicle.  After  Schmidt,  1894,  Taf.  VI, 
fig.    3. 

Fig.  107.  Stage  with  anlage  of  the  rostellum  and  puckers;  the 
body  has  become  constricted  into  the  scolex,  cyst, 
and  tail ;  the  excretory  system  is  partly  developed. 
After  Schmidt,  1894,  Taf.  VI,  fig.  4. 

Fig.  108.  Transverse  section  in  the  second  period  of  develop- 
ment.   After  Schmidt,   1894,   Taf.   VI,   Fig.   a. 

Fig.  109.  Longitudinal  section  of  a  later  stage  of  the  second 
period  of  development.  After  Schmidt,  1894,  Taf.  VI, 
Fig.    b. 

Fig.  110.  Extended  cysticercoid;  s.,  anterior  point  of  rostellum; 
r.,  rostellum;  ex.,  excretory  organ;  h.  r.,  posterior 
rostellum  sac,  ebl.,  terminal  vesicle.  After  Schmidt, 
1894,  Taf.  VI,  Fig.  B. 

Fig.  111.  Two  isolated  hooks  from  the  rostellum.  Aftei'  Mrazek, 
1891,   Tab.  VI.  fig.   20. 


C47 

I'Uit.'  X.  Fif^s.  llL'-liilb.— Diepanidutaenia  anatina  and  Drepani- 
dotaenia  sinuosa. 

[Figs.   112-115.     Drepanidotaenia  anatina.] 

Fig.  112.  Cysticercoid  with  anter;or  portion  of  the  tail:  rm.. 
circular  muscles;  p.,  (third),  parenchymatic  layer; 
h.,  fourth  layer^neck;  hr.,  posterior  rostellum  sac; 
r.,  rostellum;  ex.,  excretory  system.  After  Schmidt, 
1894,  Taf.  VI,  Fig".   A. 

Flg.113.  C>-sticercoid  with  anterior  portion  of  the  tail;  h.,  peri- 
pheral layer;  ku.,  cuticle;  vU.,  muscular  fibers;  pchi., 
paranchymatic  layer;  vl2.,  second  layer  of  fibers; 
pch2.,  internal  paranchymatic  layer  (=^  neck)  with 
calcareous  corpuscles  (v);  e.,  excretory  apparatus; 
pr.,  caudal  appendage;  j.,  nuclei  of  cells  in  the  tail; 
he,  hooks  of  oncosphere.  Zeiss  3.  D.  After  Mrazek. 
1891,  Tab.  VI,  fig.  19. 

Fig.  114.  Isolated  young  hook.  After  Mrazek,  1891.  Tab.  VI. 
fig.   21. 

Fig.  115.  Ten  hooks  taken  from  the  outline  of  cyst  of  cysticer- 
coid, showing  the  hooks  in  position  on  the  rostellum. 
After  Mrazek,  1891,  Tab.  VI,  fig.  22. 

[Figs.  116-"l24b.     Drepanidotaenia  sinuosa.) 

Fig.  116.  A  young  worm,   natural   size.     After  Zeder,   1800,   Tab. 

Ill,  fig.  5. 
Fig.  in.  Distal  end  of  a  young  worm  enlarged,  a.  b,  two  knobs. 

After  Zeder,  1800,  Tab.   Ill,  fig.  6. 
Fig.  118.  An  adult  worm,  natural   size.     After  Zeder,   1800,  Tab. 

Ill,   fig.  7. 
Fig.  119.  Short  segments  enlarged.     After  Zeder,  1800,   Tab.   Ill, 

fig.  8. 
Fig.  120.  Scolex  enlarged:    f,    the   long   rostellum  with    hooks;   c 

c,    d   d,    suckers;   a   a,    b   b,    neck.     After   Zeder.   1800, 

Tab.   Ill,  fig.   9. 
Fig.  121.  Two   large  segments,   enlarged:   a   a,   b   b,   the   "vermi- 
form  sacs;"    c   c.    cirri;   d.    posterior   corners    of    the 

segments.     After  Zeder,  ISOO,  Tab.  Ill,  fig.  10. 
f\g.  122.  Isolated   eggs,    enlarged.     After   Zeder,   1800.    Tab.    III. 

fig.  11. 
Fig.  123.  Rostellum  of  Drep.  sinuosa      x240.     After  Krabhe,  1869, 

Tab.  VII,  flg.  151. 


(548 

Fig.  J 24.  Two  i.solatud  hooks.  x;)20.  a,  from  a  parasite  in  the 
domesticated  duck;  b,  from  a  parasite  in  the  mal- 
lard.    After  Krabbe,   1869,  Tab.  VII,   fig.  152a-b. 

Plate    XI,    F;g.s.     125-139.— Drepanidotaenia    sinuosa. 

Fig.  125.  Segment    with    genital    organs     and     extruded     cirrus. 

xib.     After  Krabbe,   1869,   Tab.    VII,   fig.   153. 
Fig.  126.  Bloch's  original  figure  of  "Taenia  collar!  nigro,"   from 

the  domesticated  duck;  possibly  identical  with  Drep. 

sinuosa.     After  Bloch,  1782,  Taf.   IV,   fig.  11. 
Fig.  127.  Anterior  portion  of  the  same,  enlarged.     After  Bloch, 

1782,  Taf.  IV,  fig.  12. 
Fig.  128.  Segments    from    the    middle    of     the     same,     enlarged. 

After  Bloch,  1782,  Taf.  IV,  fig.  13. 
Fig.  129.  Cirrus.     x210.     After     Dujardin,     1845,     PI.     9,    Fig.    D. 

Host:  Goose. 
Fig.  130.  A   Cyclops   viridis   containing   3   cysticercoids   of  Drep. 

sinuosa:    vc,    eggs.     Zeiss  3,    A.     After   Mrazek,    1891. 

Tab.  V,  fig.   7. 
Fig.  131.   Isolated    cysticercoid,    to    show    the    pioportional    sizes 

of  the  cyst  and  the  tail.     Zeiss  3,  A.     After  Mrazek, 

1891,   Tab.  V,  fig.  8. 
Fig.  132.  Isolated    hook,    greatly    enlarged.     Zeiss    3,     F.     After 

Mrazek,  1891,   Tab.  V.  fig.  10. 
Fig.  133a-c.  Young-  stages  of  hooks.     Zeiss  3,  F.     After  Mrazek, 

1891,  Tab.  V,  fig.  11. 
Fig.  134.  Two  isolated  hooks  of  a  cysticercoid   which  otherwise 

corresponds  in  fonm  to  Drep.  sinuosa.     The  form  and 

size   (35    u)    of   these    hooks   resemble   those  of   Drep. 

setigera.     Zeiss  3,  F.     After  Mrazek,  1891,  Tab.  V,  fig. 

12. 
Fig.  135.  Cysticercoid  with  anterior  portion  of  tail,  drawn  from 

life.     Zeiss  3,  D.     After  Mrazek,  1891,  Tab.  V,  fig.  9. 
Fig.  136.  Two    isolated    hooks    from    fully    developed    scolex    of 

cysticercoid.     Zeiss   3,    F.     After   Hamann,    1889,    Taf. 

I,    fig.   9. 
Fig.  137.  The   10  hooks   of   the   rostellum    in   position. Zeiss   3,    F. 

After  Hamami,   1889,   Taf.  I,   fig.   10. 
Fig.  138.  Calcareous    corpuscles    from    the    parenchyma    of    the 

scolex.     Zeiss    3,    F.     After    Hamann,     1889,     Taf.    I, 

fig.    11. 
Fig.  1.39.  A  hook  of  the  oncosphere  from  the  tail  of  a  cysticer- 
coid.    After  Hamann,  1889,  Taf.  I,  fig.  12. 


041) 

Plate  XII,  Figs.  140-152.— Dref-anidolaenia  sinuosa,  Drepani- 
dotaenia  setigera,  and  Taenia  Kiabbei  Kowalewski  nee 
Moniez. 

[Fig-s.    140-146.     Drepanidotaenia    sinuota.] 

Figs.  140-142.  Three  successive  stages  in  the  development  of  the 

cysticeroid    in    Gummarus   pulex.     Zeiss   1,    A.     After 

Hamann,   1889,   Taf.    I,   figs.   4,   5,  6. 
Fig.  143.  Median  longitudinal  section  through   fig.   140.     Zeiss  4, 

A.     After  Hamann,  1889,  Taf.  I,  fig.  7. 
Fig.  144.  Median    longitudinal    section    through    a    stage    nearly 

corresponding  to  fig.  142.     Zeiss  4,  4.     After  Hamann, 

1889,  Taf.  I.  fig.  8. 
Fig.  145.  Fully    developed   cysticercoid,    surrounded    by    its   tail, 

s,    and   a   cyst   h.     Zeiss   3,    A.     After   Hamann,    1889, 

I,   fig.   1. 
Fig.  146.  The   same    without     surrounding   cyst.      Zeiss     3,      A. 

After  Hamann.  1889,  Taf.  I,  fig.  3. 

[Figs.    147-150.     Drepanidotaenia    setigera.] 

Fig.  147.  Scolex    with    6    of   the    10   hooks.     x240.     After   Krabbe, 

1869,    Tab.   VI,   fig.   117.     Host:   Domesticated   goose. 
Fig.  148.  Isolated    hook    of    same.     x920.     After    Krabbe,    1869, 

Tab.  VI,  fig.  118. 
Fig.  149.  Isolated   hook   from    Rudolphi's   1819,   p.   700B,    "Taenia 

Tab.  VI,  fig.  120. 

sinuosa"=DTep.    setigera.    x920-    After    Krabbe.    1869, 
Fig.  150.  Cirrus.     x240.     After   Krabbe,    1869,    Tab.    VI.   fig.   119. 

[Figs.    151-152.     Taenia    Krabbei    Kowalewski    nee    Moniez.] 

Fig.  151.  Two    isolated    hooks    of   a    tapeworm,     which     Krabbe 

(1869,  p.  290)  found  in  a  goose  and  determined  as  "T. 

setigera?;"   this  form  has  since  been  described  as  T. 

Krabbei   by    Kowalewski,    1895.     x920.     After   Krabbe, 

1869,   Tab.   VI,   fig.   121. 
Fig.  152.  Two  isolated  hooks  from  T.  Krabbei  Kowalewski,  1895 

[nee    Moniez,    1879.]     xlOOO.     After    Kowalewski,    1895, 

Tab.   VIII,   fig.  27. 

Plate  XIII,  Figs  153-164. — Drepanidotaenia  sinuosa  and  Drep- 
anidotaenia setigera. 

Fig.  153.  Drepanidotaenia  sinuosa.  Cysticercoid  with  anterior 
portion  of  tail;  a,  b,  c,  d,  layers  of  the  cuticle. 
Glycerine  prei  aration.  Zeiss  I,  D.  After  Hamann. 
1889,   Taf.    1,    tig.   2.     Host:   Gammarus   ^^u\ex. 


650 

fPigrs-.   l.'.4-164.     Urepanidotaenia  setig-era.] 

Fig.  154.  Adult  \vn.;Tn.  natural  size.  After  Frnlioh,  1789.  Tab. 
IV,   fig.  1. 

Fig.  ]'.".").  Head  of  same,  enlarged,  with  (a)  rostellunn  and  (b) 
suckers.     After  Frolich,   1789,  Tab.   iV,   fig.  2. 

Fig.  iHQ.  Three  young  segments  of  same,  greatly  enlarged. 
After  Frolich,   1789,  Tab.   IV,   fig.   3. 

Fig.  1,')7.  Six  segments  from  posterior  end,  enlarged,  with  (a) 
extruded  or  (b)  pa-rtly  extruded  cirri.  After  Frolich, 
1789,    Tab.    IV,    fig.    4. 

Figs.  158-160.  Three  isolated  segments  with  genital  organs:  a, 
cirrus  pouch;  c,  testicles;  e,  vas  deferens  with  vesi- 
cula  seminalis;  g,  vagina;  i,  vitellogene  gland;  k, 
ovary;  m,  receptaculum  seminis.  After  Feuereisen, 
1868,  Taf,  X,  figs.  14,  15,  16,  of  "Taenia  fasciata." 

Fig.  161.  Hook  from  scolex.  After  Feuereispn,  1868.  Taf.  X, 
fig.   2. 

Fig.  162.  Transverse  section  of  segment:  p.,  cii'rus;  v.,  vagina; 
1.  m.,  longitudinal  muscles;  k.,  excretory  (longitu- 
dinal) canals;  ov.,  ovary.  Hartnack2,  2.  After 
Lonnberg,  1889,  Taf.  1,  fig.  7. 

Fig.  le."?.  Oysticercoid,  with  very  long  tail,  from  Cyclops  brevi- 
caudatus.     After  von   Linstow,  1892B,   fig.  1. 

Fig.  164.  Hook  from  the  same.     After  von  Linstow,  1892,   fig.  2. 

Plate    XTV,    Figs.     165-186. — I>:-epanidotaenia     tenuirostris     ami 
Drepanldotaenia  infundibuliformis. 

[Figs.  165-172.     Drepanidotaenia  tenuirostris.] 

Fig.  165.  Cysticercoid    with    tail.     x325.     After     Hamann,      1889, 

Fig.  A.     From  the  body  cavity  of  Gammarus  pulex. 
Fig.  166.  Calcareous  corpuscles  of  same.    x800.     After  Hamann, 

1889,  Fig.  B. 
Fig.  167.  Hooks    from    the      rostellum.     xSOO.     After      Hamann, 

1889,  Fig.   C. 
Fig.  168.  Cysticercoid  with  long  tail.     Zeiss  3,  A.     After  Mrazek, 

1891,  Tab.  V,  fig.  3. 
Fig.  169.  Cysticercoid  with  anterior  portion  of  tail.     Zeiss  3,  D. 

After  Mrazek,  1891,  Tab.  V,  fig.  4. 
Fig.  170.  Two  hooks,  of  same.     ZeiFs  3,    F.     After   Mrazek,    1891, 

Tab.  V.  fig.  5. 
Fig.  171.  The    same,    greatly    magnified.     After     Mrazek,     1891, 

Tab.   V,  fig.    6. 
Fig.  172.  Very  young  stage  of  cysticercoid  of  Drep.  tenuirostris 

(?).    The    oncospheric    hooks    are     preserved.      After 

Mrazek.   1891,   Tab.   VI,    fig.    24. 


[Figs.     17:;-1S6.     Dieiianidotaema    inl'uiulihuliforniis.  | 

I''i.i;.   17:J.  Goeze's   or.ginal   figure   of  worm,    natural    sizn.     After 

Goeze,  1782,  Tab.  XXXI,  A,  fig.  1. 
Fig.  174.  Head  of  same,  enlarged,   showing  hooks  and   suckers. 

After   Goeze,    1782,    Tab.   XXXI,   A,    fig.    2. 
Fig.  175.  Posterior  segments,  enlarged.     After  Goeze,   1782,  Tab. 

XXXI,  A.   fig.   3. 
Fig.  176.  Posterior  segments  with  eggs,  enlarged.     After  Goeze, 

1782,  Tab.  XXXI,  A,  fig.  4. 
Fig.  177.  Eggs,    enlarged.     After    Goeze,    17S2,    Tab.    XXXI.    A, 

fig.  5. 
Fiff.  178.  An  inverted  piece  of  chicken's  intestine,  with  numer- 
ous   tapeworms    attached.     After    Goeze,    1782,    Tab. 

XXXI,    A,    fig.    6. 
Fig.  179.  Scolex    with    hooks.     x240.     After    Krabbe,    1869,    Tab. 

X,   fig.   287. 
Fig.  180a-c.  Three   isolated   hooks.     x920.     Fig.  180c   from   Kuch- 

enmeister's   collection.     After    Krabbe,    1869,    Tab.    X, 

fig.   288a-c. 
Fig.  181.  Cirrus.     x240.     After    Krabbe,    1869.     Tab.    X,    fig.    289. 
Fig.  182.  Egg.     x240.     After  Krabbe,  1869,   Tab.  X,  fig.   290. 
•Fig.  183.  Hjea,.d   ,of    "T.    infunddbulum."      x80.     After     Cabbold, 

1859,   PI.  LXIII,   fig.  25. 
Fig.  184.  Rostellum.     After  Crety,   1890,    fig.   5. 
Fig.  185.  Isolated  hooks.     After  Orety,  1890,  fig.  6. 
Fig.  186.  Mature   egg.     After  Crety,   1890,  fig.  8. 

Plate  VX,  Figs  187-198. — Drepanidotaenia  infundlbuliformis  and 
Davainea  proglottina. 

[Figs.  187-193.     Drepanidotaenia  infundlbuliformis. ] 

Fig.  187.  Bloch's    "Taenia    articulis    convideis."       After      Bloch, 

1782,  Tab.  Ill,  fig.  1. 
Fig.  188.  Head   of  same,   enlarged.     After  Bloch,   1782,   Tab.   III. 

fig.  2. 
Fig.  189.  Transverse  section  of  mature  proglottid.    After  Crety, 

1890,  fig.  15. 
Fig.  190.  Part  of  a  longitudinal  section  of  the  larval  stage  from 

the  body   cavity  of  a  fly:   cav..   "cavity  of  the  gas- 

trula;"    lac,    "primitive    cavity;"    sec,    scolex;    ven., 

sucker.     Koritski  3,  8.     After  Grassi   &   Rovelli,   1892, 

Tav.  IV,  fig.  14. 
Fig.  191.  Cysticercoid   partly  extended:  par.   int.,  internal   wall; 

par.  est.,   external   wall;  sco.,   scolex.     Koritska.  3,  4. 

After  Grassi   &    Rovelli.   1R92.   Tav.   IV,   fig.   15. 


<)52 

Fig.   192.  Anterior    exliLinity    nf    tiy.    J'.M.     I\i>iit;-ki.    :;,    S.     Alt.-r 

Grass!  &   Rovelli,   1892,    lig.    16. 
Fig-.  193.  Segmenls    from    Rudolphi's    specimen    of    "Taenia    in- 

fundibuliformis"   in   Otis  tarda.     After   Krabbe,   1868, 

Tab.  Ill,  flgr.  5.     See  text  p.  44. 

[Figs.    194-198.     Davainea   proglottina.] 

Fig.  194.  Adult  worm:  g.,  ovary;  p.,  cirrus  pouch;  r.,  recepta- 
culum  seminis;  t.,  testicle;  v.,  vagina;  vi.,  vitello- 
gene  gland.     x95.     After  R.  Blanchard,  189B,  fig.  4. 

Fig.  195.  Head  of  same  with  extended  rostellum  and  one  partly 
detached  segment.     After  R.   Blanchard,  1891B,  fig.  5. 

Fig.  196.  Head  with  retracted,  rostellum;  the  first  segment  is 
forming  from  the  neck.  After  R.  Blanchard,  1891B, 
fig.   6. 

Fig.  197a-b.  Three  isolated  hooks:  a,  from  rostellum;  b,  suckers. 
After  R.   Blanchard,   1891B,   fig.  7. 

Fig.  198.  Isolated    egg.    After    R.    Blanchard,    1891B,    fig.    8. 

Plate   XVI,    Figs.   199-211. — ^Davainea  proglottina   and   Davainea 
circumvallata. 

[Figs.    199-202.     Davainea   proglottina.] 

Fig.  199.  Cysticercoid,   in  which  the  oncospheric  hooks  are  still 

visible:  ros.,   rostellum;   ven.,  suckers;  Koritska  3,  8. 

After  Grassi  &  Rovelli,  1892,   Tav.  IV,  fig.  7.     (Fresh 

specimen.) 
Fig.  200.  The  same,  preserved:  boc,  opening  of  the  cysticercoid; 

cav.,      "cavity     of     the    g^astrula;"     lac,     "primitive 

lacune;'-'    sco.,    scolex.     Koritska,    3,    S.     After    Grassi 

&   Rovelli,   1892,   Tav.   IV,   fig.  8. 
Fig.  201.  Longitudinal    section:    boc,    opening    of    cysticercoid; 

cav.,    "cavity    of    the    gastrula;"    sco.,    scolex.     Hart- 

nack,    2,    7.     After    Grassi    &    Rovelli,    1892,    Tav.    IV, 

fig.   9. 
Fig.  202.  Young  cysticercoid:  ven.,  sucker;  cod.,  tail.     Kori'tska, 

3,  5.     After  Grassi  &  Rovelli,  1892,  Tav.  IV,  fig.  10. 

[Figs.    203-211.     Davainea  circumvallata.] 

Fig.  203.  Ovum.     x240.     After  Krabbe,   1869,   Tab.   X,   fig.   295. 
Fig.  204.  Head    and    neck:    pr.,    rostellum;    r,    line    of   hooks;    v, 

sucker;  c,   neck.     After  Crety,  1890,   fig.   9. 
Fig.  205.  Hook  from  rostellum.     After  Crety,   1890,   fig.   10. 
Fig.  206.  Ovum.     After   Crety,    1890,    fig.    11. 


G53 

Fig.  1'07.  Frontal  section  of  side  of  segment,  through  the  cirrus 
l)ouch  and  vagina:  ci.,  cirrus;  va.,  vagina:  sg..  geni- 
tal sinus;  sb.,  cells  of  subcuticula.  After  Crety, 
1890,  fig.  12. 

Fig.  JOS.  Longitudinal  section  through  egg  sac:  m,  external  cap- 
sule; c,  granular  content;  ov.,  ovum.  After  Crety, 
1890,    fig.    13. 

Fig.  2(19.  Scolex  of  "T.  pluriuncinata."  x  ca.  50.  a,  hook  from 
rostellum;  b,  hook  from  sucker;  pr.,  rostellum;  v, 
sucker;  s,  head;  c,  neck.    After  Crety,  1890,   fig.  4. 

Fig.  210.  Ovum  of  same.    After   Crety,   1890,    fig.   7. 

Fig.  211.  Frontal  section  of  segment  of  same:  cl.,  ventral  canal; 
ct.,  transversecanal;  ur.,  egg  sacs.  After  Crety,  1890, 
fig.  14. 

Plate  XVir,  Figs.  212-227.—  Davainoa  cesticillus.  Davainea 
echinobothrida,    and    Davainea  tetagona. 

[Figs.    212-216.     Davainea   cesticillus."] 

Fig.  212.  Strobila.     After   Molin,  1861,   PI.  VI,    fig.  10. 

Fig.  213.  Anterior  portion  of  same,  and  two  posterior  segments 
(middle  portion  of  worm  ff,  omitted):  A,  head;  b, 
ring  surrounding  the  rostellum;  c,  rostellum;  d, 
sucker;  E,  anterior  portion  of  segmented  body;  ff, 
dotted  line  of  omitted  segnfients;  GG,  two  posteiror 
segments;  h,  extruded  pen's;  i,  vulva.  After  Molin. 
1861,  PI.  VI,  fig.  11. 

Fig.  214.  Hook  from  rostellum  of  Dujardin's  "T.  infundibuli- 
formis  Goeze."  x210.  After  Dujardin,  1845.  PI.  IX. 
Fig.  H.  2. 

Fig.  21.'.  Hook  from  rostellum.  x920.  After  Krabbe.  1S69.  Tab. 
X,    fig.    293. 

Fig.  21  fi.  Ovum.     x24n.     After    Krabbe.    1S69,    Tab.    X.    fig.    294. 

[Figs.   217-21S.     Davain-''a   Pcbinobothrida.  | 

P'ig.  217.   Strobila.     natural    size.     After    Megn'.n.    1SS1A.     PI.     V. 

fig.  1. 
Fig.  21Sa-d.  Head/    with    appendages:    a,    head    an'd    neck;    b. 
armature   of  suckers;   c,   hook   from   sucker:   d.   hook 
rostellum.     After  Megnln,   18S1A,    PI.    V,   fig.   2. 

[Figs.    219-227.     Davainea    tetragona.") 

Fig.  219.  Head  D,  with  rostellum  (a)  and  suckers  <r).  followed 
by  neck  (K).  Enlarged.  After  Molin.  1861.  Tav.  VIT. 
fig.   6. 


654 

Viti.  I'L'ii.  Thi-et-  j)osterior  segments  A,  shdwiiin-  KiMiital  pmi'S  d) 
and  egg-  sacs  (b).  England.  AfttM'  Mulin,  ISKl,  'I'av. 
VII,   tig-.   7. 

Kig.  liL'l.  Isolated  egg  sac  with  (a)  transijaient  metnbrane;  l>, 
granular  substance;  c,  embryo  in  ovum  (d).  Kn- 
larged.     After  Molin,  1861,  Tab.  VII,  tig.   s. 

Kigs.  222-223.  Head  and  neck  showing  armed  rostellum  and 
armed  suckers.  x35.  After  Krabbe,  1882,  Tab.  II, 
tigs.  55,  56.  From  material  collected  by  KedtschMiku 
in   Turkestan. 

Fig.  224.  Hook  from  rostellum  "f  same.  x920.  After  Krahbc, 
1882,    Tab.    II,    fig.   59. 

Fig.  225.  A  segment  showing  two  longitudinal  canals,  several 
testicles,  vas  deferens  cirrus  pouch  and  genital  pore. 
x3S.     After   Krabbe,   1882,   Tab.   II,   fig.   57. 

Fig.  226.  Posterior  segment,  showing  genitl  pore  and  egg  sacs. 
x35.     After  Krabbe,  1882,  Tab.  II,  fig.  58. 

Fig.  227.  Female  genital  organs:  vg.,  vagina;  r  s.,  receptaculum 
seminis;  bd  trsv.,  transverse  collecting  canal;  cl.  ov., 
opening  of  the  ovarian  tubules;  c.  s.,  seminal  canal; 
ovd.,  disc,  descending  oviduct;  glv.,  vitellogene 
gland;  vt.  Id.,  vitello-duct;  ovd.  asc,  ascending  ovi- 
duct; sb.  ovd,,  opening  of  the  ascending  oviduct;  ebc. 
vtld.,  opening  of  the  vitello-duct;  ootp,,  ootyp  with 
shell   gland.     After  Diamare,   1893,   fig.   4. 

Plate  XVIII,     Figs.     228-246.— Davainea     tetragona,     Davainea 
Friedbergeri  and  Davainea  crassula. 

[Figs.   228-235.     Davainea  te.tragona.) 

Figs.  228-229.  Supposed  larvae  of  "Taenia  bothrioplitis"  (=Da- 
vainea  tetragona)  from  a  snail  (Helix).  Treated 
with  acetic  acid.  After  Piana  1882,  Figs.  F,  8,  A., 
and  F,   8,   B,   reduced. 

Fig.  230.  Piece  of  the  intestine  of  a  fowl  showing  the  nodules 
(reduced   one-third).     After   Moore,   1895,    fig.   la. 

Fig.  231.  The  mucosa  of  the  intestine  showing  ulcerated  areas; 
also  several  small  and  one  larger  tapeworm  attached 
to  the  intestine  (reduced  one-third).  After  Moore, 
1895,  fig.  lb. 

Fig.  232.  A  cross  section  of  the  intestine  illustrating  the  thick- 
ening of  the  wall,  due  to  a  parge  number  of  the 
nodules;  also  a  portion  of  a  tapeworm  which  has 
penetrated  the  muco»— >  mpmbran"  (enlarged),  .\fter 
Moore,   1885,   fig.   Ic 


655 

Fig-.  T.i3.  A  floss  section  (if  a  iiodiilo  cDiita^niiig  a  sequestrum 
situated  in  tlic  dutei-  or  longitudinal  muscular  layer 
(circular  layer  of  the  muscular  wall  not  affected). 
After  Moore,  1895,  fig.  2a. 

Fig.  2.';t.  A  section  showing  a  tapeworm  and  a  necrotic  mass 
within  the  mupcular  wall.     After  Moore,  1895.  fig.  2b. 

P'ig.  2.35.  A  portion  of  a  cross  section  of.  the  intestine  showing 
the  head  of  a  tapeworm  within  the  muscle  and  one 
lying  between  the  villi  with  its  head  resting  on  the 
basement  membrane  of  the  mucosa.  Enlarged. 
After  Moore,  1895,   fig.  2c. 

[Figs.    2S6-242.     Davainea    Friedbergeri.  | 

Fig.  236.  Hook    from    rostellum.     After    Friedberger,    1877,    fig. I. 

Fig.  237.  Hooks  from  the  suckers.  After  Friedberger,  1S77, 
fig.   2. 

Fig.  238.  Hook  of  oncosphere.     After  Friedberger,   1877,   fig.   3. 

Fig.239.  "T.  infundibuliformis  var.  pharisarum,"  seu  "T 
agama"=?  Davainea  Friedbergeri.  Natural  size. 
After   Megnin.   1878,   PI.   IV,   fig.  1. 

Fig.  240.  View  of  head  of  same,  en  face,  showing  armed  rostel- 
lum and  4  armed  suckers.  xl20.  After  Megnin,  1878, 
PI.  IV,  fig.  4. 

Fig.  241.  Hook  from  rostellum  of  same.  x725.  After  Megnin, 
1878,  PI.   IV,  fig.  4. 

Fig.  242.  Segments  of  same  species.  x20.  After  Megnin,  1878. 
PI.   IV,  fig.  4. 

[Figs.   243-246.     Davainea  crassula.] 

Fig.  243. "Eggs"    (^Egg  sacs)    magnified.     After    Kudoiphi,    1819, 

Tab.  Ill,  fig.  19. 
Fig.  244.  Hook   from  rostellum.     x920.     After  Krabbe,   1869,  Tab. 

X,  fig.   301.     From  Rudolphi's  original  specimens. 
Fig.  245.  Anterior    end    of    worm,    showing    rostellum    and    twc 

suckers.     x35.     After    Krabbe,    18S2,    Tab.    II,    fig.    66. 

From    material    collected     in    Turkestan    by    Fedts- 

chenko. 
Fig.  246.   Hook    from    rostellum    of   same.     x920.     After    Krabbe. 

1869,   Tab.    IT.    fig.   67. 

Plate  XIX.   Figs.   247-255. — Et-hinocotyle   Rosseteri   and   Ophryo- 
cotyle  proteus. 

[Figs.    247-251.     Echinncntyle    Rosseteri.] 

Fig.  247.  Strobila.     xl20.     After     R.     Blanchard,    1891 B.    fig.     i. 


656 

Fig.  248.  Head   with   extended   rustelluni.     x50C.     AftcM-   R.    Hlaii- 

chard,   1891B,   fig.   2. 
Fig.  249a-b.  Hooks:    a,    from    rostellum,    x400;    b,    from    sucker, 

x2,500.     After    R.    Blanchard,    1819B,    fig.    3. 
Fig.  260.  Isolated  segment:  1,  evaginated  cirrus  with  spines;  2, 

genital    tubercle;   3,    orifice   of   game   with   sphincter; 

4,  cirrus   pouch,   with   ring   of  minute   sharp   spines; 

5,  seminal     canal;   6,    mass     of     spermatozoa.     x600. 
After    Rosseter,    1892,    PI.    XXIII,    fig.    8. 

Fig.  251.  Cysticercoid  taken  from  the  body  cavity  of  Cypris 
cinerea;  a  hooks  on  rostellum;  b,  hooks  on  suckers. 
x360.     After   Rosseter,    1892,   PI.    XXII,   fig.    1. 

Figs.  252-255.  Ophryocotyle  proteus.  After  Friis,  1869,  taken 
from  R.   Blanchard.   1891B,   fig.  20. 

Fig.  252.  Strobila. 

Fig.  253.  Head    and    neck    with    retracted    infundibulum. 

Fig.  254.  Head    and    neck    with   extended    infundibulum. 

Fig.  255.  Sucker   with   armature. 

Plate  XX,  Figs.  256-269. — Taenia  cantanian.  Taenia  Delafondi, 
Taenia  imbutiformis.  Taenia  megalops,  and  Taenia  nigrop- 
unctata. 

Fig.  256.  Taenia  cantania:  a,  head;  b,  suckers;  c.  organ  taken 
by  Polonio  for  the  "genital  pore?";  d,  well-developed 
eggs.     After  Polonio,  1860,  Tav.  VII  fig.  2. 

[Figs.    257-262.— Megnin's    (1891,    Figs.    A-F.)    figures    of    "Taenia 
sphenocephala"=Railliet's    Taenia    Delafondi.] 

Fig.  257.  Strobila  natural  size. 

Fig.  258.  Head  and  neck.     x60. 

Fig.  259.  Three    sexually    segments.     xl4. 

Fig.  260.  Eggs.     x375. 

Fig.  261.  Isolated  oncosphere. 

Fig.  262.  Segmenting   egg. 

Fig.  263.  Taenia    imbutiformis:    a,    suckers;    b.,    middle    portion; 

c,    caudal    portion;    d.    "genital      pores"      (?).     After 

Polonio,   1860.   Tav.   VII,  fig.   3. 

[Fig.    264-267. — Taenia    megalops    from      Brazilian      teal      (.-\nas 
braziliensis).     Coll.   Vienna   Museum.] 

Fig.  264.   Strobila    natural    size.     Original. 

Figs.  26"-267.  Three    views    of    head,    enlar.ged.     Origiml. 


PLATE      I 


l-ll.    COTUGNIA      DIGONOPORA 


plate:     IV. 


14. 


»(( 


45. 


t-\ 


.  .-.-TTT - 


47. 


45. 


-^'Ov.L./v/-^'^-' 


37-42,  DICRANOT/ENIA     SPHENOlDES. 
4-3-53.   DREPANIDOT/ENIA    LANCEOLATA 


PLATE      V. 


[X^. 


I 


^i,-vii"'''^i"vy  ^^U\// 


)    •:) 


5^=1-55.  DREPANIDOT/CNIA     LANCEOLATA 
56-66.  DREPANIDOT/ENIA      FASCIATA. 


PLATE       VI 


7(). 


y 


>v^ 


V;V^ 


.#^;^'«P^ 


P     W^-  ''%'- 


'■^^ 


r^LC. 


1  ,  -•'-, 


_^ 


68. 


c  y 


^, 


# 


70. 


07 


4 


4 


67-76,  DREPANIDOT/ENIA    FA5CIATA 


PLATE       IX 


10.3  l<).->. 

lOO-lll.  DREPANIDOT/EN  lA     ANATINA. 


PLATE       X. 


IIZ-I  15.  DREI^ANIDOT/tN  lA     ANATINA 
IIG-IZ'I-    DREPAN  I  DOT/EIN  I  A     SINUOSA. 


PLATE      X! 


125-139.    DREPANI  DOT/ENI  A     SINUOSA, 


plate:    VIII 


!)>!. 


^■^•vv'; '5."*-i'*  7-'-''>'0 


v*:-«;': 


>A' 


::;^v 


\)}.    s: 


^=t. 


'.):>. 


•N 


92-99.   DREPANIDOT/tNlA    GRACILIS 


PLATE      VII. 


77-79,  DREPANIDOT/ENIA  FASCIATA.  80-91.  DREPAN I  DOT/EN  I A  GRACILIS. 


PLATE      III, 


■^^^'wi'^') 


m.         c     O*" 


r^^ 


28.    '\ 


-V 


-^^A 


V 


/"-; 


■V 


27       a) 


30. 


1^.        0^ 


^A 


I         {         ] 


m)> 


50. 


i 


24. 


'^•> 


29. 


21, 


51. 
55. 


32. 


^w^ 


54 


2!-28,  DICRANOT/ENIA  CORONULA,  3I-34,DICRAN0T;ENIA  FURCIGERA, 
29-30,  DICRANOT/ENIA   ./EQUABILIS.     35-36. T^NIA    CONICA, 


PLATE 


12-17.  COTUGNIA    BIFARIA,     18"  20.  AM  AB  I  LI  A    LAMELLIGERA. 


PLATE      XV. 


187-19  3.  DRE  PAN  I  DOT/ENIA    INFUNDIBULIFORMIS. 
194-198    DAVAI  N  EA     PROGLOTTINA. 


PLATE      XVI. 


I99-20E.DAVA1NEA   PROGLOTTINA.  203 -21 1.  DAVAINEA  CIRCU  MVALLATA. 


PLATE      XII 


14-5 


149 


140-146,  DREPANIDOT/ENIA  SINU05A.  147-150.  DREPANIDOT/ENI A  SETIGER A. 
151-152. T/ENIA   KRABBEI    KOWALEWSKI. 


PLATE      XX 


2')!. 


'^59. 


2i5y. 


2m 


250. 


HYJ 


256.   T/ENIA    CANTAN'iANA      257-262.    T/^EN  I A  DELAFONDI. 

263.   T/ENIA     I  M  B  UTI  FOR  M  I  5.      264-267     T/ENIA    MEGALOPS. 

268-270.  T/ENIA     NIGROPUN  CTATA 


PLATE     XXI. 


■<il{ 


'  f^/. 


£71.    FIMBRIARIA    MALLEUS       272 -274,  1  D  1 0  G  EN  E5  OTI  D  I  S 
275-275,  T^NIA    SPOFCONARD 


PLATE      XVI 


212-216.    DAVAINEA  CESTICILLUS.   217-218.  DAVAINEA    ECHINOBOTHRIDA. 
219-227.    DAVAINEA    TETRAGONA 


PLATE     XVI 


1^51. 


•^40 


•^4^. 


•^45. 


228-835   DAVAINEA  TETRAGONA     236-242.  DAVAINEA  FRIEDBERGERI 
243-246,  DAVAINEA     CRASSULA. 


PLATE     XIX 


•>50. 


247-251.  ECHINOCOTYLE  ROSSETERI.  252-255.  OPHRYOCOTYLE  PROTEUS 


PLATE      XMI 


I53.DREPANID0T/ENIA  SINUOSA.  15^-164. DREPANIDOT/ENIA  SETIGERA. 


PLATE       XIV, 


165-172  DREPANIDOT/ENIA     TENUIROSTRIS. 
173-186.  D  RERAN  I  DOT/ENIA    INFUNDIBULIFORMIS 


[Figs.    26S-270.     Taenia    nigropunctata.     After    Crety,    1890.] 

Fig.  268.  Head:    v,   sucker;   c,    neck.     After   Crety,    1890,   fig.   3. 
Fig.  269.  Isolated   segment:    1,    eggs;   m,   ovary;   p.   genital    pore; 

u,   uterus.     After  Crety,   1890,   fig.   I. 
Fig.  270.  Kgg   witli    oncosphere.     After   Crety.    1890,    fig.    2. 

Plate  XXI,   Figs.  271-274.— Taenia  malleus,  Idiogenes  otidis  and 
Taenia   sp.    Conard,    MS. 

Fig.  271.  Taenia  malleus,  head  and  anterior  segments.  Aftar 
Goeze,  1782,  Tab.  XXX,  fig.  3. 

[Figs.  272-274.     Idiogenes  otidis.] 

Fig.  272.  Pseudoscolex  and  anterior  portion  of  strobila.  The 
first  four  segments  form  the  pseudoscolex.  After 
Zschokke,  1888,  PI.   Ill,  fig.   39. 

Fig.  273.  Segment  with  male  and  female  organs:  ed.,  vas  defer- 
ens; c.  e.,  vas  efferens;  ci.,  cirrus;  t.,  testicles;  f.  d. 
v.,  end  of  vagina  (receptasulum  seminis);  gl.  g., 
ovary;  gl.  v.,  vitellogene  gland;  va..  vagina.  After 
Zschokke,   1888,   PI.    Ill,    fig.   42. 

Fig.  274.  Segment  with  developed  uterus:  cap.  ut.,  superior 
uterine  cavity;  c.  d.,  vas  deferens;  p.  d.  c  cirrus 
pouch;  va.,  vagina  After  Zschokke,  1888,  PI.  III.  fig. 
46. 

[Figs.    27.5,276.     Two   diagrams    of    Taenia     sp.    from     chickens. 
After  Conard,   unpublished.] 

Fig.  275.  Dorsal  view;  fig.  276,  transverse  section:  n..  nerve;  d. 
c,  dorsal  canal;  v.  c.  ventral  canal;  t.  c.  transverse 
canal;  g.  c,  genital  cloaca  with  pore;  c.  cirrus;  c. 
p..  cirrus  pouch;  v.  s..  vesicula  seminalis;  t.,  testicle; 
ut.,  "probably  uterus"  for  testicle?);  v.,  vagina;  r.  s.. 
receptaculum  seminis;  ov..  probably  ovary;  s.  g., 
probably  shell  gland;  1.  m..  longitudiral  muscles. 


42  II 


«58 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


SOME     EGGtS. 

Tlie  five  accompanying  plates  contain  twenty-nine 
Hsiires  of  eggs,  natural  size,  of  the  following  species, 
all  of  which  occur  in  Pennsylvania  as  natives: 

PI. ATE   I. 
Sharp-Sfinned  Hawk. 

Barn  Owl. 

Screech  Owl. 

Oreat  Horned  Owl. 

Sparrow  Hawk. 

PLATE  II. 

Marsh  Hawk. 

Red-Tailed  Hawk. 

Common  Crow. 
PLATE  III. 

Cooper's  Hawk. 

Barred  Owl. 

Blue  Jay. 

Long-Eared  Owl. 
PLATE  IV. 
Broad-Winged  Hawk. 

(lOSHAWK. 

Red-Shouldered  Hawk. 

Saw-Whet  Owl. 
PLATE  V. 

Turkey  Buzzard. 

Bald  Eagle. 

Du<K   Hawk. 


PLATE 


BARN    OWL, 


HARP-SHINNED    HAWK 


SCREECH    OWL 


GREAT  HORNED  OWL. 


SPARROW  HAWK 


SPARROW  HAWK 


PLATE 


MARSH    HAWK 


MARSH    HAWK 


RED-TAILED    HAWK 


t-  I    h 


RED-TAILED    HAWK 


AMERICAN    CROW. 


AMERICAN    CROW. 


PLATE 


*V   'i''  .*>•'. 


^ 


COOPER'S     HAWK 


COOPERS     HAWK 


BLUE    JAY. 


BARRED     OWL 


^, '.  ''J  V 


BLUE    JAY 


AMERICAN     LONG-EARED    OWL. 


PLATE       IV 


m «)« 


BROAD-WINGED    HAWK 


BROAD -vViNGED    HAWK 


RED-SHOULDERED    HAWK 


RED-SHOULDERED    HAWK 


SAW-WHET  OWL 


PLATE   V. 


TURKEY  BUZZARD 


BALD  EAGLE. 


DUCK  HAWK 


DUCK  HAWK 


659 

The  lUMiiv  d'aii^cs  of  |tluTTi;ij;e  wiiicli  hiids  have  are 
fully  explained  Id  foiiiiei'  cliapteis,  aud  as  there  are. 
with  certain  species,  great  variations  in  their  eggs — a 
nest  will  sometimes  contain  eggs  wholly  different  in 
markings — it  has  been  deemed  best  to  show  how- 
marked  these  variations  are  with  several  of  our  com- 
mon birds.  The  author  is  very  greatly  indebted  to 
Messrs.  Ward,  of  Rochester,  New  York,  for  having 
kindly  selected  and  loaned  from  their  collection  the 
specimens  fi-om  which  the  a('C(»ui]>anying  illustrations 
have  been  made. 


fifiO 


CHAPTER  IX. 


THE  DESTRUCTION  OF  NOXIOUS  ANIMALS. 

This  chapter  contains  several  i)apers  which  deal 
with  a  number  of  snbjects  of  especial  interest.  The 
Bounty  Records  given  here,  although  unfortunately 
no't  complete,  are  without  doubt  more  accurate  than 
any  which  have  been  printed  or  ever  can  be  published 
in  connection  with  the  notorious  bounty  act  of  1885. 
Tills  statement  is  made  because  in  a  number  of  coun- 
ties the  records  were  destroyed  after  the  data  given 
in  this  chapter  were  compiled. 

The  seal})  act  of  1897,  which  allows  premiums  for 
Wildcats,  Foxes  and  Minks,  is  given  in  full.  The  au 
thor  of  this  Measure,  Representative  G.  W.  Campbell, 
of  Fayette  county,  ])repared  it  with  particular  care, 
and  persons  who  may  attempt  tO'  practice  fraud  under 
it  will  likely  get  into  a  great  deal  of  trouble. 

Some  of  Ihe  best  methods  known  to  trappers  and 
hunters,  of  capturing  and  destroying  wild  animals 
which  commil  so  ifnuch  damage  in  (he  i)i)nltry  yard, 
and  to  game  and  song  birds,  ai'"  (piil*-  fully  explained. 

The  seel  ion  devoted  to  Ik^ads  is  one  which,  Avith  tin- 
carcfiilly  }>repared  illustrations  made  rirMii  specimens 
(»n  wliich  bounties  were  ])aid.  shows  dearly  the  great 
necessity  of  liaving  some  jtublic  document  that  will 
enable  otTicials  and  sc.alp  hunters  1o  recognize  one  ani- 
lual  from  anotlier.  It  is  lidiciilciis.  t(>  say  the  least, 
that    the    ta.\i>ayeis   of    any    comity   in    this   Common- 


601 

woallli  slionld  pnv  piciiiiimis  for  liciuls  of  j;jinio  birds, 
domestical  ted  fowls,  Sliril;es,  Wliip-pooi-wills,  Sea 
Gulls,  etc.,  because  local  officials  may,  throufrh  i<«;no- 
rance,  accept  them  as  Hawks  or  Owls.  House  cats  and 
cur  dogs,  Squirrels  and  other  mammals  should  never 
again  be  used  to  answer  for  Wildcats,  Wolves,  Minks 
and  Weasels. 

The  citizens  of  this  State  are,  it  appears,  strongly 
in  favor  of  jsiying  l)ounties,  and  while  such  a  feeling 
•  exists  it  is  but  ])i-o]ier  that  this  wC'i'k  should  be  pre- 
pared, not  only  to  correct  wrong  impressions,  which 
are  so  widesj'read  about  many  birds  and  mammals, 
but,  at  the  same  time,  sliow  what  s|>ecies  are  chieHy 
res[)onsible  for  the  enormous  destruction  of  poultry, 
"ame  and  snuill  S(Uig  birds. 


m'2 


SOME     liOUXTY     RECORDS. 

The  tabnliited  bouuty  records  which  appear  on  suc- 
ceeding pages  were  paid  under  the  act  of  June  2;i, 
1885,  and  the  amended  act  of  1889  which  repealed  that 
portion  of  the  act  of  '85  that  allowed  bounties  for 
HawlvS,  Owls  and  Weasels.  These  laws  caused  an 
enormous  expenditure  of  money.  It  is  believed  to  be 
a  conservative  estimate  to  state  that  fully  $150,000 
M'ere  paid  out  in  bounties,  and  considerably  more  than 
half  of  this  amount  was  expended  for  birds  of  prey  or 
other  kinds  of  feathered  animals  w^hich  were  believed 
to  be  Hawks  and  Owls.  It  has  been  absolutely  im- 
possible toi  secure  fromi  a  number  of  .counties  any 
records  which  would  show  the  number  of  each  species 
of  bird  or  mammal  on  which  premiums  were  paid.  In 
the  majority  of  cases  this  is  due  to  the  fact  that  county 
officers  did  not  preserve  the  bounty  cer-tificates  after 
their  accounts  were  audited  at  the  end  of  each  yeiir. 
Tlie  writer  has  expended  a  great  deal  of  time,  consider- 
able money  and  experienced  a  lot  of  trouble  to  obtain 
all  the  facts  possible  in  connection  with  recent  scalp 
acts,  and  as  a  result  the  records  which  follow  are  un- 
doubtedly the  most  complete  that  have  ever  been  pub- 
lislied  in  connection  with  the  scalp  act  of  June  23,  1885. 

THE  BOUNTY   ACT   OF   18S5. 

The  sc^lp  act  of  June  23,  1885,  under  which  so  many 
birds,  etc.,  were  slain  reads  as  follows: 

"An  act  for  the  destruction  of  Wolves,  Wildcats,  Foxes,  Minks. 
Hawks,   Weasels  and   Owls   in   this  Commonwealth 

"Section  1.  That"  for  the  benefit  of  agriculture  and  for  tht- 
protection  of  game  within  this  Commonwealth,  there  is  hereby 
established  the  following  premiums  for  the  destruction  of  cer- 
tain   noxious   animals   and    birds,    to   be   paid    by    the   respective 


0(;3 

counties  in  which  the  same  are  slain,  namely;  for  every  Wild- 
cat, two  doliarE;  for  every  Red  or  Giay  Fox,  one  dollar;  for 
every  ^.link,  fifty  cents;  for  every  Weasel,  fifty  cents;  for  every 
Hawk,  fifty  cents;  and  for  every  Owl,  except  the  Arcadian, 
Screech  or  Barn  Owl,  which  is  hereby  exempted  from  the  pro- 
visions of  this  act,  fifty  cents." 

"Section  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  any  person  having  killed 
any  animal  or  bird  mentioned  in  the  first  section  of  this  act, 
and  who  is  desirous  of  availing-  himself  of  the  premiums  therein 
provided,  to  produce  such  slain  animal  or  bird  before  any  mag- 
istrate, alderman  or  justice  of  the  peace  of  the  county  in  which 
the  same  was  killed,  and  make  affidavit  of  the  time  and  place 
of  killing  the  same:  Provided,  That  the  pelt,  if  entire  from  the 
tip  of  the  nose  of  any  such  animal,  may  be  produced  in  lieu  of 
the  same  when  so  preferred;  and  upon  the  reception  of  any 
such  animal  or  pelt,  or  bird,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  such  mag- 
istrate, alderman  or  justice  of  the  peace,  in  the  presence  of 
said  person  killing  such  animal  or  bird,  and  one  elector  of  the 
county,  to  cut  off  the  ears  of  such  animal  or  the  head  of  such 
bird,  and  in  the  presence  of  said  persons  burn  the  same. 

"Section  3.  Upon  the  destruction  of  the  ears  or  heads  as 
aforesaid,  the  magistrate,  alderman  or  justice  of  the  peace 
shall  give  to  the  person  producing  such  animal  or  bird,  a  certi- 
ficate of  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  this  act  directed  to 
the  commissioners  of  the  county  in  which  such  animal  or  bird 
was  slain,  which  certificate  shall  contain  the  following  facts: 
the  kind  of  animal  or  bird  killed;  when,  where  and  by  whom 
killed,  and  the  date  by  whom  and  in  the  presence  of  what  elec- 
tor the  ears  of  said  animal  or  head  of  said  bird  was  destroyed, 
and  u;  on  the  production  of  such  certificate  the  said  commis- 
sioners shall  give  an  order  upon  the  county  treasurer  for  th; 
payment  of  the  premium  or  premiums  provided  by  thi.s  act,  and 
it  shall  be  the  further  duty  of  the  magistrate,  alderman  or 
justice  of  the  peace  taking  the  affidavit,  provided  in  the  second 
section  of  this  act,  to  file  the  same  forthwith,  or  cause  the 
same  to  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  commissioners  of  the  county, 
and  upon  filing  the  same,  the  said  magistrate,  alderman  or 
justice  of  the  peace  shall  receive  from  the  county  treasurer,  the 
sum  of  twenty  cents,  in  full  compensation  for  all  services  under 
this   act." 

SiCTENTIFir   MKN   PROTESTED. 

Thisniijiistiind  expensive  not  bad  only  ht-i^n  in  force 
a    few    niOLths   wlien    luitiirnlists  .-nui   othor   scientific 


()()4 

geiitlciucn  rcsidiiij;  in  the  hoi-oni;!!  (if  \\'"sl  Clicslcr  he 
gan  lo  oppose  it  most  vij^oi-ously ;  ind.  ed  tin-  liist  ('ITorts 
made  to  have  the  noxious  ''Scalp  Act  of  1885"  repealed 
were  begnu  in  Chestei-  county,  wlien  early  in  188r»  the 
members  of  the   West  Chester   Mici'(t'Sco]tical   Kociely, 
under  the  leadership  of  sncii  pi-oniincul   ;iu<l  able  gen- 
tlemen as  Dr.  .Jos.  T.  l\o(lirock,  Dr.  -lesse  C.  (rreen.  Ex 
congicssnian  W  ashington  To\\us(Mid,  Addison  .May  and 
others  called  a  s]Kcial  meeting,  willi  the  view  of  crea- 
tingsentimentlobring  about  the  repeal  of  that  jvoition 
t)f  the  ac!    which  allowed  lu-emiunis  for  the  heads  of 
beiu'ticial   biids.     This  society  published  in  February, 
188(>,   a    jiampldet    confainiug   strong   resolutions    con- 
demning tlu'  act,  with  uuuuM'ous  letters  from  s(rme  of 
the  most  eminent  ornithologists  in  the  United  States, 
together  with  a  brief  description  of  the  birds  of  prey 
and  their  food  habits.     This  re])Oi-t  was  widely  circu- 
lated thi-oughout   Pennsylvania,  and  as    many    of    the 
leading  newspapei's  of   the  State  quoted   quit(^  exten- 
sively fr(un  it  a  sentiment  was  soon  stai^ted  in  almost 
every  cornity  of  the  Gommonwealth  in  favor  of,  at  least, 
tlie  beneticial  species  of  Hawks  and  Owls. 

OTHERS  LABORED  TO  REPEAL  IT. 

Tin*  members  of  the  State  TJoard  of  Agrlculturf, 
thr<uigh  Secretary  Thos.  J.  Edge,  assisted  by  the  writer, 
who  at  tliat  lime  had  made  dissections  of  over  1. ')()() 
stomachs  ol  Hawks  and  Owls,  labored  most  indus- 
triously ro  show  the  economic  value  of  the  raptorial 
birds,  and  secur(  the  repeal  of  that  part  of  the  odious 
measnie  whicli  prompted  the  destruction  of  certain 
birds  which  wei'e  c^f  the  greatest  value  to  farmers  and 
fruitj::rowers. 


()(>0 
THKIR   EFFORTS   WERE   SUCCESSFTTL. 

These  e(»UMiieiidal>leeft:oi-ts which, aspreviously staled, 
originated  aiiioug-  scientitir  men  in  West  Cliester,  re- 
sulted in  the  abrogation,  at  tlie  Legishitive  session  of 
1887,  after  a  most  sj)irited  contest,  of  Ihat  jjorlion  of 
the  act  which  related  to  Hawks  and  Owls.  Secretary 
Tho^.  J.  P^dge  and  tlio  writer  corresponded  with  county 
commissioners,  prominent  farmers,  naturalists  and 
sportsmen  throughout  the  State,  and  a  condensation 

of  this  correspondence,  both  for  and  against  the  re- 

jteal,  follows: 

WHY    IT    SHOULD    BE    REPEALED. 

We  bi'lieve  the  act  should  be  repealed  on  account  of 
the  following  reasons: 

1.  It  causes  a  drain  upon  the  treasuries  of  the  respective 
counties  which  is  not  warranted  by  the  results  produced. 

2.  Collectively  considered  the  Hawks  and  Owls  by  the  de- 
struction of  injurious  rodents  and  insects,  confer  a  benefit 
which  is  much  more  than  an  offset  for  the  poultry,  game  and 
small  wild  birds,  which  certain  of  these  birds  of  prey  destroy.' 

3.  The  Cooper's  Hawk,  the  Sharp-Shinned  Hawk,  the  Gos- 
hawk, the  Duck  Hawk,  the  Pigeon  Hawk  and  the  Great  Horned 
are  detrimental,  but  if  a  bounty  should  be  placed  on  the  heads 
of  these  birds  all  species  of  Hawks  and  Owls  would  be  destroyed 
by  scalp-hunters. 

4.  The  payment  of  all  bounties  should  be  discontinued  until 
officials  can  acquaint  themselves  with  birds  and  mammals  so 
that  premiums  will  not  be  paid  for  heads  of  Chickens,  T\irkeys, 
Pheasants-.  Robins,  Sparrows,  etc.,  under  the  belief  that  they 
are  Hawks  and  Owls;  and  on  the  other  hand  officials  should 
know  enough  about  mammals  that  the  ears  of  Opossums,  Red 
Squirrels,  house  Cats,  cur  Dogs  or  pieces  of  Buffalo  skins.  Mule 
hides,  etc.,  should  not  be  accepted  by  them  for  such  detrimental 
animals  as  Wolves,  Wildcats.   Foxes,   Minks  and    Weasels. 

5.  Increased  duties  are  iniiiosed  ui'"n  munty  otflceis  (m-  which 
no   additional   compensation    has   lieiii   provided. 


6.  In  a,  number  of  cases  county  officials  ha\'i-  been  imposed 
on   and    bounties  illegally   drawn. 

7.  It  encourages  a  certain  class  to  follow  hunting  as  a  means 
of  livelihood,  and  to  the  exclusion  of  other  labor. 

8.  Self-interest  would  lead  to  the  destruction  of  the  detrimen- 
tal birds  and  mammals. 

9.  Farmers  and  poultry-raisers  need  no  bounty  to  induce 
them  to  trap  and  kill  birds  and  other  wild  animals  which  de- 
stroy their  poultry. 

10.  The  repeal  of  the  act  will,  by  the  increase  of  the  birds  of 
prey,  cause  greater  destruction  to  field  mice,  which  do  much 
mischief  on   the   farm. 

11.  The  payment  of  bounties  for  any  purpose  is  based  upon 
wrong  principles  and  should  be  discouraged. 

WHY    THE    ACT    SHOULD    NOT    BE    REPEALED. 

We  believe  the  act  should  not  be  repealed  because: 

1.  This  being  the  first  year  of  its  action,  the  total  amount  paid 
will  be  greatly  in  excess  of  that  of  any  subsequent  year,  and 
owing  to  the  increased  scarcity  each  year,  the  amount  annually 
paid  will  every  year  be  less. 

2.  By  a  repeal  the  good  effects  of  bounties  already  paid  would 
be  practically  lost. 

3.  The  destruction  of  these  birds  and  other  animals  is  a  great 
protection  to  game;  Pheasants,  Quail  and  Wild  Turkeys,  besides 
many  kinds  of  Wild  Ducks,  Snipe  and  Woodcock,  in  the  way 
of  feathered  game,  are  destroyed  by  both  Hawks  and  Owls  and 
many  of  these  game  birds  are  also  killed  by  Foxes,  Wildcats, 
Minks  and  Weasels.  Great  numbers  of  Rabbits  are  annually 
devoured  by  the  Hawks,  Owls  and  other  animals  for  which 
premiums  are  paid;  the  Wildcats  destroy  many  Deer,  and  Squir- 
rels are  also  killed  by  Hawks,  Owls,  Foxes,  etc.  Game  of  all 
kinds  w'ould,  no  doubt,  be  much  more  plentiful  if  all  Hawks, 
Owls,  Foxes,  Minks,  Wildcats  and  Weasels  were  killed. 

4.  If  Hawks  and  Owls  do  not  disturb  poultry  and  game,  why 
is  it  that  all  kinds  of  domesticated  fowls.  Pheasants,  Quail, 
Rabbits,  etc.,  show  signs  of  alarm  and  hurry  to  cover  w'hen  a 
Hawk  or  an  Owl  comes  near  them? 

5.  If  Hawks  and  Owls  are  such  great  destroyeis  of  insects  and 
Mice,  why  is  it  they  will  so  readily  abandon  the  pursuit  of  these 
pests  and  get  into  traps  baited  with  Chickens  or  small 
birds? 


6.  Many  experienced  Quail  and  Pheasant  hunters  claim  that 
ihey  often  find  these  game  birds  by  watching  for  places  where 
Hawks  are  waiting,  and  in  the  majority  of  cases  the  covy  of 
Quail  or  Pheasants  will  be  discovered  in  the  vicinity  where 
Hawks  are.  Hawks  will  follow  day  after  day  a  flock  of  Quail 
and  often,  especially  in  severe  snowy  weather,  kill  all  the 
birds. 

7.  Hawks,  particularly  the  smaller  species,  kill  large  numbers 
of  small  song  birds,  which  are  valuable  as  insect  destroyers. 

8.  All  laws  are  liable  to  abuse  and  violation,  and  this  one  is 
no   exception   to   the   general   rule. 

9.  The  effect  of  a  continuance  of  the  law  as  it  now  is  will  be 
to  increase  the  production  of  poultry  and  decrease  its  price. 

WHERE  SKUNKS  WERE  PAID  FOR. 

The  records  on  succeeding  pages  indicate  that  in  the 
county  of  Clinton,  bounties  were  paid  in  the  year  1885, 
1880  and  1887  for  294  Skunks,  and  during  the  same 
years  premiums  were  allowed  in  Centre  county  for  3,370 
Skunks.  Frcan  this  it  seems  evident  that  both  of  these 
counties  had  local  laws  in  force  which  enabled  the 
cotinty  commissionei-s  to  pay  for  these  animals.  The 
Tanther,  which  is  included  among  other  animals  paid 
for  in  1886  by  Centre  county,  was,  no  doubt,  another 
species  which  was  covered  by  a  local  scalp  act  or  some 
general  law  wliich  was  repealed  in  1889. 

A  FE!\Y  \VOL.VES. 

The  Lackawanna  county  recoids  show  that  four 
Wolves  wei'e  paid  for  in  1890.  Di-.  Isaiah  F  P^verhart 
and  Mr.  Geo.  P.  Friant,  two  well  infonned  naturalists, 
of  Scranton,  Lackawanna  c®unty,  have  for  many  years 
collected  specimens  in  this  section  and  they  are  in- 
clined to  believe  there  is  some  mistake  about  these  ani- 
mals, as  neither  of  these  gentlemen  have  heard  of  a 
genuine  wild  Wolf  in  that  locality  within  the  last 
twenty  years.  Tioga  county  paid  for  three  Wolves,  but 
as  shown  elsewhere  in  this  work  they  had  been  bi-ought 
fi'om  the  far  uest  and  liberjited  in  Tioga  and  killed. 


(i()S 

CRAWFOUD  S     lON'i  )II.M(  >I'S    or'n.AV. 

The  county  of  Crawford  leads  all  other  couiilies  in 
the  State  in  the  amount  of  money  expended  under  the 
act  of  188.").  This  county  paid,  it  is  said,  between  $10,- 
000  and  $1:^.000  in  bounties  and  fees  to  local  otticials. 
The  incomplete  leooids  from  Ci in\  ford  show  that 
nearly  J  1,000  Hawks  and  Owls  and  over  10,500  Minks 
and  Weasels  were  paid  for  in  about  two  years.  The 
members  of  the  Senate  and  Hduse  of  Representatives 
from  Craw  ford  have  always,  in  recent  years,  vigorously 
opposed  all  bounty  measures  which  have  been  under 
consideration  in  our  General  Assembly  and  one  of  the 
chief  arouments  they  used  was  that  such  legislation, 
with  tlie  lack  of  popular  knowledge  of  wild  birds  and 
mammals,  enabled  designing  persons  to  practice  fraud 
in  numerous  ways;  R(^d  Squirrels  and  Chipmunks  w^ere 
killed  for  Weasels,  Butcher-birds  and  other  feathered 
animals  were  called  Hawks  and  Owls,  and  their  lieads 
were  often  of  as  much  value  to  scalp  hunters  as  the 
genuine  heads. 

PIKE    AND    LYCOMING    COUNTIES. 

IMke  county  is  one  of  the  best  localities  in  Pennsyl- 
vania for  game  of  different  kinds,  but  unfortunately 
this  county  is  infested  with  a  number  of  market  hun- 
ters wh'O  are  skilled  in  snaiing  and  trapping  game. 
These  poachers,  together  with  Foxes,  Wildcats,  Minks, 
Weasels  and  Hawks  of  the  genus  Accipitor,  with  the 
Great  Horned  Owl,  have  almost  entirely  exterminated 
Ruffed  Grouse  during  recent  years  in  some  parts  of 
Fike  and  neighboring  counties.  From  best  information 
w'hich  can  be  obtained  no  effoi'ts  were  made  to  practice 
fraud  in  Pike  county  wherc^  under  bounty  laws  since 
1885,  1,110  F(..\es  (both  species),  1.S2  Wildcats  and  207 
Minks  have  Iteeu  killed  for  premiums. 


(509 

The  members  of  tlie  State  Bojinl  of  diiiin'  Comiiiis 
sioiKM'fs  hiivc  jT^iven  esi)eeial  atteulion  to  the  prDfi'Ssional 
snarei's  aud  market  hunters  in  tlie  Pike  county  district 
and  reports  received  show  that  tliis  illegal  work  has 
decreased  during  the  past  year. 

In  the  county  of  Lycoming,  through  the  energetic  ef- 
forts of  Game  Ooraniissioner  Mr.  E.  B.  Westfall,  mar- 
ket hunting  and  the  illegal  sale  of  game  has  been  prac- 
tically stopped.  This  is  fortunate,  and  if  the  game-de- 
vouring Foxes  were  thinned  out  Ruffed  Grouse  would 
be  much  more  plentiful  and  farmers  would  lose  much 
less  poultry.  Lycoming  county  has  a  larg(^  amount  of 
territory  especially  suited  to  Ruffed  Grouse  and  if  it  was 
not  for  Foxes,  which  Mr.  Chas.  H,  El  don,  Taxidei-mist. 
of  Williamsport,  says  are  increasing  rapidly,  these 
birds,  as  well  as  other  kinds  of  game  and  small  wild 
birds,  would  be  much  more  abundant. 

ADAMS   COUNTY. 


to 

to 

!L 

cS 

X 

to 

o 

ctf 

V 

O 

i 

2 

1885.  . . 

828 

1 

186 

14 

8 

10 

1886,  . . 

2,976 

422 

125 

81 

4 

319 

1887,  . . 

1,510 

695 

134 

78 

2 

194 

1889,  . . 

70 

112 

7 

1890,  . . 

264 

199 

6 

1891,  .. 

361 
301 
315 

138 
55 
89 

2 
4 
4 

1892,  .. 

1893.  .. 

1894,  . . 

344 
57 

78 
10 

3 

1 
■  25 

1895,  . . 

1896,  . . 

Total, 

5,314 

1118 

2  057 

854 

66 

523 

During  the  fiist  twelve  months  of  act  of  1885  Adams  county 
l>ai(l    $::,S(i(i   in   bnuntii-s. 


670 


ALLEGHENY  COUNTY. 

This  county  paid  but  little  bounty  under  the  act  of 
1885.  During  sixteen  months  Allegheny  county  paid 
out  only  153.00  in  bounties. 

ARMSTRONG  COUNTY. 

Have  not  been  able  to  get  from  this  county  records 
but  there  is  little  doubt  that  a  considerable  amount 
was  spent  for  premiums.  During  the  first  thirteen 
months  of  the  act  of  1885  Armstrong  county  expended 
in  bounties  no  less  than  |1, 255.30  for  heads  of  Hawks. 
Owls,  Foxes,  Minks  and  Weasels. 

BEAVER  COUNTY. 

Commissioners'  OfQce 
Beaver,  Pa.,  May  28,  1897. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  the  27th  inst.  is  just  at 
hand  and  in  repl}' I  would  say:  prior  to  the  year  1889 
I  cannot  give  the  information  you  ask  for  in  detail,  but 
I  give  such  facts  as  our  records  show  as  follows: 

1885,  total  amount  paid  for  premium $15  75 

1886,  total   amount    paid    for    premium 234  25 

1887,  total  amount  paid  for  premium 228  25 

1888,  total  amount  paid  for  premium 50 

1889,  five   minks   and    eleven   foxes 12  25 

1890,  40  minks  and  183  foxes,    193  00 

1891,  23  minks  and  249  foxes 254  75 

1892,  46    minks    and    262    foxes 273  50 

1893,  80   minks    and    133    foxes 1S3  00 

1894,  53    minks    and    178    foxes 19125 

1895,  59    minks    and    159   foxes 173  75 

1896,  33   minks   and   79  foxes 87  25 

Total    sum    paid $1.817  50 

FRANK  A.  JUDD. 

Ooinmissioners'  Clerk. 


671 

BERKS  COUNTY. 


Yfar. 

C8 

'/J 

~        1 
K        1 

K 

o 

c 

r 

^i        , 

CS 

^ 

fc 

<^ 

■^ 

" 

|j        1 

tr 

1885 

48 
50«  1 
35   I 

117 
76 

4 
10 
3 
1 
5 
2 
4 
1 

J 

9 

108 
100 

1886 

99!t 
479 

42 

1887,     

52 

18S9      . .  . 

1890 

68 
86 
95  i 
102  ; 
72 
56 

22 
40 

41 
80 
51 
58 

1891      .        . 

1892,     

1893     

1894 

1895     

1 

210 

Total 

612 

486 

30 

1,478 

94 

No  bounties  were  paid  in  Berks  county,  according  to  records, 
in  1888  or  1896.  Eleven  "Catamounts''  paid  for  in  1885,  1886  and 
1887  are  included  in  column  under  Wildcat?. 


BL,AIR   COUNTY. 


CO 

ta 

Year. 

to 

.5 

to 

ni 

OS 

to 

X 

to 

ri 

h 

e^ 

^ 

■^ 

E 

O 

1885,     . . . 

1886 

1887 

1888 

1889 

1890 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

Total 


23 

460 

185 

1 

47 
293 
307 
250 
169 
216 

96 

•017 


4 
36 
37 
41 
36 
41 
■  41 

341 


7 

155 

36 


198 


20 
390 
71 


481 


72 
15 


90 


BRADFORD  COUNTY. 

Year. 

X 

o 

fa 

si 

o 

2 

4) 

to 

a 

10 

C 
3 

to 

X 

CO 

O 

1886 

302 
209 
235 
234 
291 

10 

10 

6 

9 

ID 

641 

343 

1 

345 
212 
315 
462 
69'5 

841 
144 

925 

232 

1887 

117 

]890 

1891 

1892 

Total 

1,271 

45 

985 

2.029 

349 

BUCKS  COUNTY. 


Year. 

o 

fa 

[0 

a 

m 

01 

> 

1- 

1886 

19 
21 

69 
47 

111 
71 

654 
276 

58 

1887 

43 

1888,*    

1889 

3 

16 
38 

47 

•107 

117 

37 

50 

6 
9 

17 
52 
88 
59 
14 
73 

1890 

1891,    

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

930 

Total 

455 

434 

182 

101 

*No  premiunus  paid. 


673 

BUTLER    COUNTY. 


<l\ 

Year. 

OJ 

:£ 

X 

c 

o 

fc 

s 

1891,     

1892 

1893 

1894,    

1895 

1896,    

Total, 


64  ; 

338 

49 

400 

59 

219 

88 

205 

39      ; 

180 

30  : 

120 

329 


1,462 


The  bounty  records  of  previous  years  could  not  be  found  in 
county  commissioners'  office.  Butler  paid  from  about  Novem- 
ber 1,  1885,  to  November  1,  1886,  $833.75  for  Hawks,  Owls  and 
other  animals. 


CAMBRIA    COUNTY. 


vi 

M 

m 

C/; 

V 

ci 

■y. 

■D 

y, 

0 

c 

3i 

0) 

'O 

aw 

^ 

fc 

rS 

^ 

^ 

- 

O 

1885 

286 

11 

9 

31 

12 

3 

1886 

793 

207 

180 

47 

62 

98 

1887 

373 

135 

84 

11 

44 

81 

1888 

9 

2 

2 

3 

2 

3 

188'^ 

32 
490 
541 
438 
134 

20 
188 
132 
120 

28 

5 
4 
4 
11 
12 
6 
2 

1890 

18<t1 

189?^ 

1893 

1894 

18% 

Tot 

al,             3,086 

843 

275 

136 

120 

185 

In  1893  the  county  commissioners  declined  to  pay   any   boun- 
ties  on   Foxes   and    Minks,    claiming   the   act   of  1889   to   be   un- 
constitutional.    A    "case    stated"    was    submitted    to    the    court 
43  II 


G74 

for  an  opinion,  and  March  2G,  1895,  opinion  of  the  court  was 
filed  sustaining  the  county  commissioners.  No  appeal  having 
been  taken  to  a  higher  court  this  county  has  not  paid  any 
bounties  under  act  of  1889,  except  fur  Wildcats;  no  Wolves  hav- 
ing  been   l<illp(l    in    the  cnunty    from    1SS5   to  1896,    ini-lusive. 


CAMERON    COUNTY. 


EC 

oi 

Year. 

!0 
0) 

o 

■3 

X 

X 

c 

o 

^ 

§ 

1894 

1895 

1896 

Total, 


The  total  amount  of  money  paid  in  Cameron  county  for 
Foxes,  Minks  and  Wildcats  from  1890  to  1896,  inclusive,  is  given 
as  follows: 

1890 ,$129  82 

1891,  160  50 

1892 173  15 

1893 17145 

1894 13100 

1895 139  45 

1896 84  50 

Total   sum   paid $989  87 

These  amounts  include  fees  of  justice  of  peace. 

After  the  act  of  1885  was  passed  Cam.eron  county  paid  to 
November  1,  1886,  at  least  $130  in  premiums,  and  from  Novem- 
ber 1,  1886,  to  1890,  It  is  said,  a  consideraible  additional  amount 
was  paid,  but  these  certificates  could  not  be  found  by  commis- 
sioners' clerk.  Mr.  Franklin  Housler,  who  sent  me  the  records 
nriven   abo\e. 


675 

CENTRE  COUNTY. 


«j 

n 

Vtnir. 

03 

X 
O 

o 

2 

C 
3 

in 
X 

o 

c 

1885, 
1886, 
1887, 
1888, 
1889, 
1890, 
1891, 
1892. 
1893, 
1894, 
1895, 


Tota 


612 

2 

4 

362 

147 

168 

348 

99 

93 

65 
65 

20 

511 

70 

1 

590 

133 

474 

110 



471 

91 

, 

443 

148 

1 

145 

52 

1 
1 

4,086 

872 

265 

20 
14 
24 
13 
38 
21 
37 
16 
17 
38 
14 

252 


1,245 

1,355 

770 


16 

381 

90 


3,370  I     487 


56 

42 

2 


100 


CHKSTER  forXTV. 


1885, 

1886, 

1887,* 

1890, 

1891, 

1892, 

1893, 

1894, 

1895. 

1896, 


02 

oi 

X 

03 

to 

4; 

5: 

K 

il 

X 

m 

Year. 

i 

X 

c 

a 

0 

<v 

X 

0 

fc 

s 

^ 

Total, 


30  I 
908 
445  i 


108 
79 


1,383        1S7        220 


1 

6 

6 

111 

231 

334 

16 

434 

212 

5 

6 

4 

1 

7 

7 

6 

29 

15 

19 

5 

27 

14 

723 


551 


♦January  1  to  March  18  only,  were  bounties  paid  in  1887. 
No  bounties  were  paid  in  Chester  county  in  1S8S  and  1889.     The 
above  records  include  a   small   number  of  Nighthawks. 


Yfar. 


676 

CLARION    COUNTY. 


M 

., 

Ctf 

K 

O 

■n 

X 

2 
1 

o 

S 

1885, 
1886, 
1887, 
1888, 
1889, 
1890, 
1891,* 
1892, 
1893, 
1894, 
1895, 
1896, 


21 
285 
146 

"57' 
269 

11 
143 

62 
1 
7 

54 

4 
299 
106 

1 

7 

440 

38 

3 

f.2 

1 
6 
2 
5 
5 
4 
9 
3 
4 
4 

43 

11 

) 

,  

* 

,  



485 

Total,  

778 

278 

410 

76 

*Ceased  paying  all  bounties  except  on  Wildcats. 
During-    the    first    twelve    months    of    the    act    of    1885    Clarion 
county    paid    $944   in    bounties. 


CLEARFIELD    COUNTY. 


Year. 


Foxes. 


Wildcats.    Minks 


1890, 
1891, 
1892, 
1893, 
1894, 
1895. 
1896, 


17 
149 
817 
404 
466 
298 

5 

37 
83 
74 
98 
96 
42 

31 

118 

89 

98 

87 

)tal,  

2,141 

430 

4''8 

Wildcats  or  Catamounts,  as  many  call  them,  are  very  plenti- 
ful in  Clearfield  county,  and  many  complaints  have  come  to 
this  Department  about  the  great  damage  they  do  poultry, 
game,  etc. 


077 

AMOUNT      OF      MONEY      EXPENDED      BY      CLEARFIELD 
COUNTY. 

In  consequence  of  the  fact  that  the  bounty  certificates  for  the 
years  1885  to  1890,  inclusive,  were  destroyed,  it  was  impossible  to 
secure  the  number  of  each  liind  of  animal  for  which  premiums 
were  given  by  Clearfield  county,  except  for  the  years  1891  to  1895 
inclusive.     The  tota^l  money  expended  is  given  below: 

In  1885,  $344.05;  1886,  $1,71G.45;  1887,  $874.86;  1888,  $35.00;  1889. 
$182.00;  1890,  $848.30;  1891,  $1,090.35;  1892,  $1,112.25;  1893,  $730.25; 
1894,    $974.50;    1895,    $748.75.     Total,    $8,656.75. 

In  consequence  of  a  court  decision  declaring  that  certain 
parts  of  the  present  bounty  law  were  unconstitutional,  no  boun- 
ties were  paid  in  Clearfield  county  after  January  15,  1896,  except 
on  Wildcats  for  which  $92.50  were  expended  from  January  6  to 
March  31,  inclusive. 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


Year. 


1885, 
1886, 
1887, 
1888, 
1889, 
1890, 
1891. 
1892, 
1893, 
1894, 
189.5. 
1896, 


Total. 


160 
162 
119 

11 
160 
207 
187 
232 
213 

135 


1.586 


■jI 

72 

ai 

03 

o 

.li 

X 

'O 

5 

'■$■ 

<V 

.^ 

<A 

> 

1 

i? 

X 

X 

25 
53 
23 


48 
47 
33 
29 
27 
12 


292 


40 
6 


4« 


11 
27 
11 
16 
32 
60 
21 
34 
32 
30 
17 

298 


120 

182 

92 


396 


4 

134 

19 


157 


12 


37 


678 


COLUMBIA  COUNTY. 


Amount  of  money 

Year.                                                                                    I'aid  for  all  ani- 
mals. 

1885 $87  50 

1886 771  90 

1887 413  60 

1888 4  00 

1889 27  00 

1890 240  65 

1S91,     ' 301  OO 

1892 255  50 

1893 205  50 

1894 176  25 

1895 114  00 

Total    sum    paid $2.596  90 


No  bounties  were  paid  in  Columbia  county  in  1896.  and  records 
are  not  in  shape  to  show  different  kinds  of  animals  on  which 
bounties  were  paid. 


CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


Year. 

to 

C 

Weasels. 

a. 

•A 

Hawks. 

Owls. 

1885 

101 

4,093 

1,021 

2 

1 

122 

4,183 

1.060 

3 

2 

25 

225 

20 

221 
7,896 
1,976 

\ 

58 
530 
103 

1 

188G 

1887 

1888,  

1889 

1891 

1 

1 

Total,  

) 

5,218 

5,370 

271 

10,102 

693 

No  bounties  wer^  paid  in  Crawford  county  after  1891.  About 
$12,000  were  paid  in  this  county,  it  is  said,  under  this  act  of 
188i5;  and  it  is  reliably  stated  that  after  the  act  of  June  23,  1885, 
went  into  effect  Red  Squirrels  and  Chipmunks  were  as  eagerly 
hunted  by  some  .scalp  hunters  as  were  Minks  and  Weasels. 


079 


CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


3; 

0 

a! 

»1 

a; 

». 

.:»: 

"b  par. 

2 

X 

0 

c 

0) 

> 

^ 

&. 

i 

■? 

■ 

6 

1885, 
1886, 
1887, 
1888, 
1889, 
1890, 
1891, 
1892, 
1893, 
1894, 
1895, 


10 


Total. 


152 

102 

69 

14 
125 

84 

5 
176 

92 

20 
464 
124 

9 
71 
60 

92 
159 
369 
373 
283 
168 
109 

7 
75 
110 
127 
71 
40 
43 

26     1,876        696        273 


608 


140 


X((  biiuntitrs  paid   in  1896. 


DATPHIN    rOlJNTY 


cc 

Yeai". 

0) 

0 

a 

"5 
a 

0 

2 

Ui 

r< 

^ 

> 

X 

0 

1885 

90 

9 

5 
80 
35 

15 
694  , 
161  1 

3 
36 
60 

1886  

46 

41 
43 

9 

1887 

63 

3 

1 
5 

1 
4 

1 

1888 

1889 

22 

6 
29 
42 
40 
48 
49 
60  , 

1890 

115 
91 

102 
83 
85 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

2 
2 

1895,  

69 
766 

Total 

360 

120 

21 

.S70 

99 

680 


DELAWARE    COUNTY. 


This  was  probably  the  only  county  in  the  State  where 
many  of  the  allej-ed  noxious  animals — Foxes,  Minks, 
Weasels,  Hawks  and  Owls — were  of  frequent  occur- 
rence, that  the  citizens  showed  little  or  no  disposition 
to  kill  these  animals  for  bounty.  The  county  of  Dela- 
ware lias  not,  I  am  informed,  paid  out  in  bounties  dui'- 
ing  the  last  ten  years  much  above  fifty  dollars.  Dur- 
ing the  first  sixteen  months  of  the  act  of  1885,  Dela- 
ware county  only  expended  |10.20.  Foxes  are  not  at 
all  rare  in  some  sections  of  Delaware  county  but 
through  the  efforts  of  the  members  of  the  Rose  Tree 
and  other  clubs  these  sly  animals  are  well  protected. 

EL.K  COUNTY. 

During  the  latter  part  of  1885  and  about  ten  months 
in  188(>  Elk  county  paid  upwards  of  |500  bounties, 
chiefly  on  Foxes,  Wildcats,  Minks  and  Weasels.  All 
of  these  animals,  likewise  birds  of  the  genus  Accipiter, 
are  quite  numerous  in  Elk  county  where  they  destroy 
much  poultry  and  game,  as  well  as  many  species  of 
small  wild  birds.  Wildcats  and  Foxes  are  both  in- 
creasing in  this  county,  and  as  they  increase  Deer, 
Grouse,  Rabbits  and  song  birds  are  decreasing. 

ERIE    COUNTY 


■y. 

d 

i/i 

■X. 

Year. 

X 

c 

di 

.iS 

K 

fc 

^ 

«^ 

K 

o 

1885     

19 

ni 

51 

30 
334 
526 

58 
231 
371 

18 
827 
116 

20 

1886  

108 

1887     

103 

Total 

181 

890 

660 

961 

231 

681 

FAYETTE   COUNTY. 

No  records  received  from  this  county.  Dnrinj;  the 
first  twelve  months  of  the  1885  act  Payette  county  paid 
about  $G5t'  in  bounties.  From  about  January  1,  1886, 
to  July  1,  1886,  Fayette  county  paid  for  278  Hawks: 
80  Owls;  82  Foxes;  24  Minks,  and  6  Wildcats. 

FOREST   COUNTY. 

Xo  records  received  from  this  county.  During  first 
fourteen  months  of  act  of  1885  Forest  paid  $350  in 
bounties.  Wildcats  and  Foxes  are  common  in  Forest 
county  and  they  destroy  annually  much  poultry  and 
game,  especially  Pheasants  and  Rabbits.  This  county 
paid  in  about  six  months  from  January  1,  1880,  for  110 
Foxes;  37  Hawks  and  2  Owls. 


FRANKLIN   COUNTY. 


Year. 

03 

X 

C 

o 

2 
1 

in 

a> 

X 

o 

in 

c 

i 

m 

1885 

22 
268- 
595 

1 

2 
49 
77 

14 
8 

11 

5 

10 

8 

9 

14 

15 

22 

29 

51 

196 

210 
247 
296 

67 

60 

109 

9 

1886  

1887,  

30 
63 

1888 

1S89 

71 
423 
408 
407 
326 
320 
204 

6 
88 
66 
162 
135 
95 
46 

1S90 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 



1S96 

128 

Total 

886 

2.912 

834 

10'' 

13*-  II 


682 

FULTON  COUNTY. 


Year. 

to 

X 

o 

'A 

a; 
m 

o 

2 

Owls. 

]885 

15 
152 
103 

11 

80 
85 

18 
82 
63 

2 

12 

20 

2 

4 

12 

9 

8 

6 

8 

5 

1 

89 

353 
810 
152 

20 

1886      

90 

1887,     

91 

1888 

1889 

1890 

50 
295 
261 
213 
150 
163 

70 

32 

160 

155 

101 

80 

90 

40 

1891                              

1892 

1893                                      

1894               

1895                            

1896 

1,472 

1,315 

Total          

834 

163 

201 

GREENE  COUNTY. 


lii 

Year. 

••J. 

•J. 

fc 

^ 

% 

K 

O 

1885 

3 
93 
44 

3 
585 
398 

1 
68 
57 

0 

601 
348 

1 

1886 

197 

1887 

176 

Total 

140 

986 

126 

951 

374 

The  records  do  not  show  that  any  bounties  were  paid  in  Greene 
county   after   the  year   1887. 


6S3 

HUNTINGDON  COUNTY.* 


Year. 


!/'. 

cS 

7, 

o 

.a 

•d 

? 

*« 

Ctf 

'^ 

E' 

1886 

1887 

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896,    

Total, 


408 

135 

20 

10 

247 

596 

585 

665 

1,112 

3,633 

145 

94 

1 

40 

93 

230 

928 

1,341 


2,727        127 


748 
20 


768 


126 
3 


129 


*Many  more  animals  were  paid  for  fromj  1885  to  1896,  but  rec- 
ords in  county  commissioners'  office  do  not  .show  what  they  were. 

In  1885,  $25.65;  in  18S6,  $239;  in  1890,  $1,294.20  and  in  1891,   $1,025.50 
were  paid  in  premiums. 


INDIANA    COUNTY. 


Year. 

Foxes. 

ID 

X 

c 

Wildcats. 

Amount  of 

Bounty 

Paid. 

1885      

$215  SO 

1886 

144  25 

1887 

607  65 

1894 

40 
185 

45 

82 

51  25 

1895      

5 

214  50 

Total     

225 

127 

5 

$1  234  4.^ 

The  commissioners  refused  to  pay  any  bounties  during  the 
years  1888,  1889,  1890,  1891,  1892,  1893  and  1896.  The  county  records 
unfortunately  do  not  show  what  kinds  of  wild  animals  the 
$967.70  was  given  for  in  the  years  1885,  1886  and  1887,  or  while 
the  act  of  June  23,  1885,  was  in  active  operation.  In  a  period 
of  about  six  months  from  January  1.  18S6,  this  county  paid 
premiums  for  350  Foxes;  250  Weasels;  300  Hawks  and  150  Owls. 


684 

JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


Year. 

X 

o 

X 
C 

o 

2 

1885, 

1S5 
950 
320 

130 

798 
270 

13 

1886 

78 

1887, 

26 

1888 

16 

1889 

40 

1890 

358 
233 

333 

164 

35 

1891 

18 

1892 

10 

1893 

5 

1894 

14 

1895 

1? 

1896 

8 

otal      

T 

2,016 

1,695 

?"() 

During  the  years   1889,    1892   to   1896,    inclusive,   bounties   were 
only   paid  in  Jefferson  county  on  Wildcats. 


LACKAWANNA    COUNTY. 


Year. 


m 

<v 
X 

o 

to 

a 

to 

1 

01 

> 
o 

o 

2 

tfl 

1885,    

69 
102 
100 

1886 

63 

80 

40 
82 

24 
24 
13 
19 
10 
8 
13 
31 
19 
29 
16 

243 
84 

29 

1887,     

18 

1888,    

1889 

13 
102 
68 
95 
70 
130 
101 
108 

16 
67 

72 

148 

100 

137 

71 

84 

1890,    

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

. 

1895,    

1896 



4 

Total 

958 

838 

122 

4 

206 

327 

47 

685 




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686 

LAWRElSrCE  COUNTY. 


Year. 


Money  Paid. 


1885 No  payments. 

1886,  $734  00 

1887,  427  50 

1888 No  payments. 

1889 No  payments. 

1890 $195  35 

1891, , 234  95 

1892,  534  75 

1893 426  75 

1894, No  payments. 

1895,   No  payments. 


The  following  letter  explains  why  more  explicit  data  cannot 
be  secured  from  this  county: 

Commissioners'  Office, 
New  Castle,  Pa.,  Nov.  18,  1885. 
Dear  Sir:  In  reply  to  yours  of  November  7  would  say  we  de- 
stroyed all  the  scalp  premium  certificates  on  file  in  this  ofl^ce 
last  summer  when  we  refitted  the  vault  with  metallic  shelving, 
Am  sorry  we  cannot  furnish  you  the  certificates,  but  if  it 
would  be  any  use  to  you  we  can  give  you  the  amount  paid  for 
that  purpose.  Respectfully  yours, 

C.  W.  CRAWFORD, 

Clerk. 


LEBANON  COUNTY. 


Year. 

tA 

X 

a 

to 

2 

X 
as 

72 

o 

1885 

20. 
38 
64 

9 

4 

"'ii' 

20 

1 

2 

1 
1 

I 

8 

272 
29 

1886,  

52 
12 

1887 

1888 

1889 

1 

25 
28 
43 
25 
36 
19 

1890 

1891 

1892 

1893 

3 

10 

3 

2 
4 
4 
2 

1894 

1895 

1896 

....... 

Total 

299 

29  1 

47 

20 

309 

64 

687 

LEHIGH  COUNTY. 


Year. 


1885, 
1886, 
1887, 
1888. 
1S90, 
1891, 
1892, 
1893, 
1894, 
1895, 
1896, 


7 

189 

39 


149 
13 


Total, 


235 


162 


415 


6  

31  27 

40  30 

2  I 

24  

30  

26  

38  

59  

58  

50  

364  57 


No  bounties  paid  in  Lehigh  in  1889. 

LYCOMING    COUNTY^ 

No  bouiitv  recoids  have  been  obtained  from  tliis 
county,  many  of  the  early  ones  being  destroyed  by  a 
flood.  During  the  first  year  that  the  act  of  1885  was 
in  active  force  Lycoming  county  paid  $1,039  in  boun- 
ties, a  large  pt  rt  of  which  was  for  beneficial  Hawks 
and  Owls.  Foxes,  Wildcats  and  the  Common  Weasel 
are  common,  especially  Foxes,  in  certain  sections  of 
Lycoming  and  they  do  m.icli  damage  to  poultry  and 
game.  In  a  period  of  about  six  months  from  January 
1,  1880,  this  county  paid  for  700  Hawks  and  Owls,  and 
250  Foxes. 

McKEAN  COUNTY. 

From  dale  of  act  (.June  2.3,  188.5).  to  Xovcmbcr  1.  ISSC, 
ihis  county  paid  !|;i, 02.3.50  in  bounties  for  different 
kinds  of  animals.  .\  considerable  additional  amount 
has  been  paid  in  McKean  in  bounties  since  the  date 


088 

above  given,  or  i:util  1893.  After  1893  bounties  were 
not  paid  in  McKean  oo-unty  for  any  animals  until 
1897,  when  Judge  A.  G.  Olmsted  ruled  'That  a  bounty  of 
|2.00  be  paid  on  each  Wildcat."  Wildcats  and  Foxes 
are  numerous  in  this  county  and  they  do  much  damage 
to  game  and  small  wild  birds.  During  first  six  months 
of  188G  McKean  county  paid  for  17  Wildcats;  137 
Foxes;  115  Minks;  120  Hawks;  81  Owls,  and  22  Wea- 
sels. 

MERCER  COUNTY. 

No  bounty  records  have  been  received  from  Mercer, 
which,  in  the  first  few  months  of  the  act  of  1885,  was 
one  of  the-  banner  counties  in  paying  premiums,  as  indi- 
cated by  an  outlay  of  |2,319.70.  This  is  one  of  the 
districts  in  Pennsylvania  where  the  clover-loving  and 
burrowing  Woodchuck  gives  the  farmers  so  much  trou- 
ble, and  at  nearly  every  session  of  the  Legislature  the 
representatives  from  this  county  make  an  effort  to  have 
a  bounty  placed  on  this  troublesome  animal.  A  letter 
received  from  Mercer  county  commissioners  in  June, 
1886,  contains  this  information: 

"Our  people  did  not  become  apprised  of  the  passage  of  the 
act  to  which  you  refer  until  some  time  after  its  approval,  and 
as  a  result  we  did  not  have  any  certificates  presented  until 
after  the  first  of  December,  1885.  Since  that  time  we  have  paid 
nut  $1,300,  and  of  this  amount  fully  $1,000  has  been  for  Hawks 
and  Owls;  mostly  Owls.  Have  not  paid  for  more  than  ten  or 
13  Foxes." 

MIFFLIN  COUNTY. 

No  bounty  records  received  from  this  county.  In  the 
first  eight  months  that  act  of  1885  became  generally 
known,  Mifflin  paid  1357.60  in  bounties.     This  is  a  num- 


689 

ber  one  locality  for  Pheasants,  Wild  Turkeys  and  llab- 
bits,  but  the  pro-wiinf;  Foxes  and  sneaking  Wildeals 
keep  them  thinned  out,  and  they  also  destroy  much 
[>oultry. 

MONTGOMERY   COUNTY. 


Year. 

Hawks. 

Owls. 

Minks. 

vVeasels 

Foxes. 

1886 

106 
140 

8 
23 

17 
1 
1 
9 
6 
5 
16 
20 

12 
5 

1887 

1889 

1892 

•> 

1893,    

4 

1894 



6 

1895 

6 

1896 

17 

Total 

246 

31 

75 

17 

35 

No  Wildcats  in  this  county;  no  bounty  records  found  for  18SS 
lii90  and  1891. 


NORTHAMPTON   COUNTY. 

No  records  obtained  from  Northampton  where,  dur- 
ing first  few  months  that  act  of  1885  was  generally 
known,  $38LG0  were  paid  in  bounties. 


PERRY  COUNTY. 

This  county  paid  from  Decembei',  1885,  to  Xovembei- 
1,  1886,  11,140.25  in  bounties;  since  then  a  very  consid- 
erable sum  has  been  expended  but  detailed  infoi-ma- 
tion  concerning  it  I  have  not  been  able  to  secure. 
From  December,  1885,  to  July  6,  1886,  Perry  paid 
premiums  as  follows:  465  Hawks;  62  Owls;  453  Foxes; 
130  Minks  and  52  Weasels. 


44--TI 


090 

PIKE   COUNTY. 


' 

Year. 

O 

is 
O 

o 

c 

s 

1885 
1886 
1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1896 


18 

163 

86 

12 
196 

48 

3 

12 
9 

2  1 

7 

14  ! 
14  1. 
12    . 

7   1. 
10    . 
20 
18    . 

4    . 
24    . 

1 

12 
46 

1 

40 

14 

16 
133 
122 
147 
185 
117 
129 

6 

29 

I 

16 

64 



44 

54 

i 

34 

otal              

1,116 

256 

24 

132 

59 

292 

POTTER  COUNTY. 


Year. 

til 

o 

0) 

> 

o 

2 

7i 

V 

X 

o 

1885 

4 
125 
100 

24 
34 

98 
575 
450 

62 

325 
225 

1886      

48 

50 

1 

15 

1887 

36 

IS 

10 

1888     

1889     

6 
1 

7 
68 

3 

34 

1890     

1 

1891     

25 
30 
36 
21 
25 
13 

1892                        

1893     

1894 

.. 

1895 

1896 

99 

Total 

229 

1 

264 

1,198 

649 

25 

691 

SCHUYLKILL  COUNTY.* 


Year. 

o 

c 

en 

o 

1885 

i      86 

255 

1     144 

9' 

8 

113 

126 

121 

180 

182 

108 

72 

1886,  

192 

115 

1 

2 

58 

43 

56 

91 

79 

53 

10 

94 
95 

1887 

1 

1 

1888 

1889  . 

1890 

1891,  ...                

1892 

1893  

1894            .       

1895  

1896            



Total 

1,404 

70O 

189 

1 

1 

•"Numerous   Hawks    and    Owls    were    killed    in    this   county    of 
which  no  records  are  on  file. 


SNYDER  COUNTY. 


Year. 

to 

o 

to 

01 

'A 

o 

c 

(0 
.ClJ 

a; 

in' 

O 

1885 

94 
94 

101 
16 

141 
93 

103 
55 
37 
50 
67 

6 

89 

68 

10 

86 

107 

141 

147 

113 

69 

97 

90 
33 

30 
520 
135 

G 

1886 

1887 

1 

130 
39 

1889 

1890,  

1891 

1892 

1 

4 
2 

1893 

1894 

1 

1895 

1 

1896 

1 

Total 

8 

851 

933 

123 

685 

175 

No  bounties  paid  in  Snyder  in  1SSS. 


692 


SOMERSET    COUNTY.* 

Commissioners'    Office, 
Somerset,  Pa.,  June  11,  1897. 
Tlie  amount  of   bounty   paid   by   Somerset   county   each  year 
since  1885  for  scalps  is  as  follows: 

1885 
1886 
1887 
1888 
1889, 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 


$450 

05 

1,995 

25 

940 

05 

60  45 

159 

60 

1,006 

90 

809 

95 

833 

95 

649 

10 

26  35 

13  50 

18  00 

Total   sum   paid $6,963  15 

The  above  statement  shows  the  amounts  paid  for  scalps  since 
1885.     Hoping-  this  will  be  satisfactory. 

Yours  respectfully, 

J.  G.  EMERT, 

Clerk. 


SULLIVAN  COUNTY. 


Year. 


1886 
1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893, 
1894 
1895 
1896 


Total, 


228 
137 


365 


23 

94 

26 

31 

74 

18 

12 
26 
16 

1 

81 

13 

96 

34 

26 

102 

14 

22 

107 

54 

18 

116 

77 

24 

128 

68 

13 

122 

112 

224 

921 

403 

*Jn  about  .six  months  fiom  January  1.  1896,  Somer.'^et 
paid  bounties  as  follows:  14  Wildcats;  69  Owls;  410  Hawks;  250 
Weasels;    215    Minks   and   270   Foxes. 


693 


SUSQUEHANNA   COUNTY. 

In  about  ten  months  after  act  of  1885  became  gen- 
erally krovNn  to  residents  of  Susquehanna  countv  boun- 
ties amountinj^  to  $1,200  were  paid.  Considerable 
money  has  since  been  expended  but  a  detailed  state- 
ment concerning  same  has  not  been  obtained.  Sus- 
quehanna in  1885  paid  for  19  Foxes;  4  Minks;  5  Wea- 
sels, and  6  Hawks  and  Owls,  and  in  1886  from  January 
1,  to  July  5,  for  217  Foxes;  171  Minks;  83  Weasels;  223 
Hawks,  and  55  Owls. 

TIOGA   COUNTY. 

Tioga  county  paid  in  first  tw^elve  months  under  act 
of  1885,  |1,160  for  "scalps."  A  large  sum  has  been  paid 
since  then  but  no  detailed  statement  concerning  same 
has  been  obtained. 

UNION    COUNTY. 


Year. 


tc 

to 

cS 

vj 

w 

<u 

o 

X 

0) 

X 
o 

X 

s 

s 

2 

1 

1885,  . .  . . 

1886 

1887 

1889 

1890 

1891 

1892 

1893,  .... 

1894 

1895 

Total 


111 
59 
85 
14 
75 
71 
70 
75 
66 
61 

687 


t 

47 

52 

2 

48 

22 

6 

2 

34 

2 

69 

3 

57 

...... 

5 

93 

6 

66 

5 

87 

5 

30 

507 

74 

6|  1 
390  171 
476     71 


243 


694 

VENANGO  COUNTY. 


Year. 

<v 

X 

o 

71 

c 

K 

OS 

If. 

o 

2 
1 

0 

1886 

58 

77 

6 

185 

112 

122 

105 

214 

52 

183 
163 

"228' 
119 
143 
114 
279 
174 

483 
226 

2 

2 

416 

7b 

57 

1887 

23 

1888 

1890 

1891 

1 
2 

1892,  

1893 

1894,  

7 

1895 

1 

Total 

931  ■ 

1,403 

712 

14   49.^ 

80 

' 

WASHINGTON    COUNTY. 


Ypar  Amount  paid  for 

all    animals. 

}oQ?'    $500  00 

]lal 48075 

\lli 490  20 

^^^•^ 187  25 

Total  sum  paid jl  658  20 

Previous  to  1890  no  records  have  been  retained  in  county 
commissioners'  office;  no  records  of  name  and  number  of  each 
animal  kept  at  any  time.  During  first  year  the  act  of  1885  was 
in  active  force  Washing-ton  county  paid  for  all  kinds  of  animals 
$727.50. 

TVARREN    COUNTY. 

Dear  Sir:  In  reply  to  yoair  letter  of  inquiry  of  May 
28th,  I  will  say  that  the  amounts  paid  for  bounty  for 
the  years  named  is  as  follows:  For  1885,  |22G;  for  188G, 
11,524.40;  1887,  |707.]0;  1888,  |37.50;  1889,  104.00;  1890,' 
•*1S.15;  since  which  time  this  county  has  not  i)aid  any 
bounty. 


695 

The  Conmiissioners  took  Hie  ground  in  1SS7  that  the 
hiw  was  not  constitutional  and  have  refused  to  pa^v 
since,  except  such  amounts  as  had  been  paid  out  by 
justices  to  those  claiming  bounty,  and  simply  refunded 
to  them. 

Our  accounts  are  such  that  to  fully  answer  your  in- 
quiries would  necessitate  assorting  each  vouclier  filed, 
which  would  require  considerble  time  and  some  ex- 
pense, but  if  required  will  make  such  a  report. 

Respectfully  yours, 

J.  B.  JACKSON, 
Clerk. 


WESTMORELAND  COUNTY. 


1885 
1886 
1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 


.   $291 

50 

784 

80 

588 

40 

17 

70 

210 

20 

286  40 

220  05 

292  15 

252 

90 

234 

90 

230  30 

Total  pum  paid $3,409  30 

Commissioners'  Office, 
Greensburg,  Pa.,  May  31,  1897. 
Dear  Sir:  Enclosed  please  find  statement  of  the  amount  paid 
out  each  year  for  the  killing  of  Hawks,  Owls,  etc.  I  am  una- 
ble to  give  you  the  number  of  each  kind  killed  as  the  way  the 
records  have  been  kept  here  they  do  not  give  the  number  and 
kind,   but   only  give  the  total  amount  for  each  year. 

Very   truly  yours, 

HUGH   HENDERSON. 


696 

WYOMING   COTTNTY. 


Year. 


'ji 

X 

t/j 

rt 

J; 

X 

o 

1886 

1887 

1889 

1890 

1891 

1892.     . .  . . 

1893 

1894,     . .  . . 

Total 


87 
90 
50 
164 
149 
309 
212 
135 


103 

106 

43 

95 

100 

113 

104 

78 


1,196        742 


132 
130 


75  '     262 


39 


The  bounty  certificates  for  1885  and  1887,  when  bounty  was 
paid  cannot  be  found,  and  in  1895  and  1896  the  commissioners 
refused  to  pay  bounty  for  any  of  the  above-named  animals. 

OTHER   RECORDS. 

Bounty  records  from  some  of  the  following  named 
counties  were  burned  in  the  recent  fire  which  de- 
stroj^ed  ray  office.  Those  from  the  remainder  of  the 
counties  could  not  be  obtained  in  time  to  go  in  this 
chapter: 

Bedford,  Montour, 

Carbon,  Northumbeiliind. 

Juniata,  Philadeli)hia, 

Luzci'iic,  ^A'nync, 

Monroe,  York 


697 


THE  SCALP  ACT  OF  1897. 

At  the  se&sion  of  3  81)7,  in  consequence  of  the  wide- 
spread sentiinent  in  favor  of  bounties,  there  was  a  de- 
termined elfort  made  1o  pass  a  scalp  bill,  which  would 
allow  premiums  for  Hawks,  Owls,  Herons,  English 
Sparrows,  Crows  and  Kiui;lishers.  These  efforts,  of 
course,  were  strongly  opposed  in  committee  and  on 
the  floo<r  of  the  Legislative  halls,  and,  as  a  compro- 
mise, the  following  act  was  passed  and  approved  July 
9,  1897: 

AN   ACT 

For  the  d«strutcion  of  Wildcats,  Foxes  and  Minks  in  this  Com- 
monwealth, and  providing  for  the  payment  of  bounties  on  the 
same,  officers'  fees,  and  fixing  a  penalty  for  violation  of  the 
same. 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  for  the  benefit  of  agri- 
culture and  protection  of  game  within  this  Commonwealth, 
there  is  hereby  established  the  following  provisions  for  the  de- 
struction of  certain  noxious  animals,  to  be  paid  by  the  respec- 
tive counties  in  which  the  same  are  slain,  naniely:  For  every 
Wildcat,  two  dollars;  for  every  Fox,  Red  or  Gray,  one  dollar; 
for  every   Mink,   fifty  cents. 

Section  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  any  person,  having  killed 
any  of  the  animals  mentioned  in  the  first  section  of  this  act, 
who  is  desirous  of  availing  himself  of  the  premiums  therein 
provided,  to  produce  such  slain  anim.al  before  any  magistrate, 
alderman  or  justice  of  the  peace  of  the  county  in  which  the 
same  was  killed,  and  make  affidavit  of  the  time  and  place  of 
killing  the  same:  Provided,  That  the  pelt  if  entire  from  the  tip 
of  the  nose  of  any  such  animal  may  be  produced  in  lieu  of  such 
animal  when  so  preferred;  and  upon  the  reception  of  any  such 
animal  or  pelt,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  said  officer,  in  pre- 
sence of  said  person  killing  such  animal  and  one  elector  of  the 
county,  to  cut  off  the  ears  of  such  animal,  and  in  the  presence 
of  such  persons  burn   the  same. 

Section  3.  Upon  the  destruction  of  such  ears,  the  said  officers 
shall  give  to  the  person  producing  such  animal  or  pelt  a  certi- 


698 

ficate  of  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  this  act,  directed 
to  the  commissioners  of  the  county  in  which  such  animal  was 
slain,  which  certificate  shall  contain  the  following  facts:  The 
kind  of  animal,  and  when,  where  and  by  whom  killed,  and  the 
date  by  whom  and  in  the  presence  of  what  elector  the  ears 
of  such  animal  were  destroyed;  and  upon  the  production  of 
such  certificate  the  said  commissioners  shall  give  an  order  upon 
the  county  treasurer  for  the  payment  of  premium  or  premiums 
provided  by  this  act,  and  it  shall  be  the  further  duty  of  the 
said  officer  taking"  the  affidavit  provided  for  in  the  second  sec- 
tion of  this  act,  to  file  the  same  forthwith,  or  cause  the  same 
to  be  filed,  in  the  office  of  the  commissioners  of  the  county;  and, 
upon  filing  the  same,  the  said  oflicer  shall  receive  from  the 
county  treasurer  the  sum  of  twenty-five  cents  as  full  compen- 
sation for  all  his  services  under  this  act. 

Section  4.  If  any  person  shall  wilfully  and  fraudulently  collect 
any  premium  or  premiums  provided  in  this  act,  or  shall  aid, 
abet  or  assist  in  any  official  capacity  or  otherwise  in  the  same, 
he,  she,  or  they  shall  be  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and,  upon 
conviction  thereof,  he,  she  or  they  shall  be  sentenced  to  pay  a 
fine  of  not  exceeding  five  hundred  dollars,  and  undergo  an  im- 
prisonment in  the  county  jail  of  the  proper  county  not  exceed- 
ing one  year,  both,  or  either,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court. 

Section  5.  All  acts  or  parts  of  acts  inconsistent  herewith,  be 
and  the  same  are  hereby  repealed. 

If  this  act  is  faithfully  carried  out  there  should  be 
no  fraud  practiced  under  it,  and  individuals  who  may 
desire  to  manufacture  ''scalps"  of  mammals  from 
skins  of  wild  or  domesticated  animals,  will  no  doubt 
hesitate  about  engaging  in  such  ventures  when  they 
know  the  penalty  imposed  by  section  four. 

While  it  is  a  well-known  fact  that  the  writer  is  not 
an  advocate  ot  unwise  scalp  acts,  it  must  be  admitted 
that  this  measure  provides  premiums  only  for 
mammals  which  are  a  great  nuisance.  Foxes,  Wild- 
cats and  Minks  are  common  and  they  destroy  a  large 
amount  of  poultry,  game,  and  small  wild  birds  every 
vcai'. 


e99 


METHODS  OP  CAPTURING  BIRDS  OF  PKEV. 

Oftentimes  certain  of  the  birds  of  pre}',  as  shown  on 
l»receding  pages  of  this  work,  become  very  trouble- 
some, and  the  farmer,  poulterer  or  stockman  is  often 
obliged,  in  order  to  protect  himself  from  serious 
losses,  to  adopt  means  whereby  he  can  rid  himself  of 
the  feathered  depredators.  Some  of  the  methods  em- 
ployed in  this  and  other  States  to  destroy  Hawks. 
Owls  and  Eagles  are  as  follows: 

SHOOTING. 

When  the  scalp  act  of  1885  was  in  force,  great  num- 
bers of  Hawks  were  killed  by  hunters  who  approached 
the  birds  on  horseback,  in  wagons  or  in  sleighs.  In 
one  day  a  hunter  shot  sixteen  Hawks;  they  were:  8, 
Cooper's;  ?>,  Sparrow;  2,  Red-shouldered;  2.  Rough- 
legged,  and  0,  Red-tailed.  If  Hawks  are  shot  at  and 
missed  two  or  three  times  when  thus  approached, 
they  become  very  shy  and  will  seldom  allow  a  wagon 
or  sleigh  to  get  near  them.  At  first,  however,  these 
birds  can  easily  be  approached  by  vehicles  drawn  by 
a  quiet  horse,  so  that  the  gunner  can  get  within  20 
or  30  yards  before  they  fly;  and  often  you  can  drive  or 
ride  directly  under  them  when  pevfhed  on  trees.  It 
is  much  easier  to  shoot  fiom  a  sleigh  than  a  wheeled 
vehicle.  When  you  use  the  latter  it  is  best  to  jump 
cMit  on  the  ground  before  shooting  and  take  the  bird 
on  the  wing.  It  is  bolter  to  go  on  horseback  after 
Hawks  and  Eagles  than  in  a  sleigh  or  wagon. 
Never  attempt  to  shoot  when  sitting  on  the  horse  un- 
less  vou  know   the  animal   will   not   be  frightened   at 


700 

llic  it'poi'l  of  llic  ^1111 ;  jiiid  if  von  make  i(  a  rule  lo 
slip  ort'  the  horse  before  you  sshoot  it  will  he  more  sat- 
isfactory in  many  ways. 

THE  GRASS  SUIT. 

Hawks,  Eagles  and  other  wary  birds  can  frequently 
be  approached  quite  easily  by  the  hunter  attired  in 
grass  suits  such  as  are  shown  in  the  accompanying 
illustrations.  Tlie  writer  has  employed  this  disguise 
with  good  success  in  capturing  birds  of  prey,  Herons, 
Shore  birds  and  Ducks.  In  approaching  birds  in  this 
dress  especial  care  must  be  used  to  prevent  your  gun 
from  being  seen,  and  if  the  barrels  are  bright  it  is  best 
to  paint  or  cover  them  with  some  oo-lored  material 
similar  in  liue  to  the  suit  which  is  of  a  dead-grass 
color.  When  the  game  you  are  slowly  and  cautiously 
approaching  looks  toward  you,  3'ou  should  remain  mo- 
tionless until  it — if  it  be  a  Hawk  or  Eagle — turns  its 
head  in  another  direction,  then  move  a  little  nearer 
or  crouch  down  as  shown  in  illustration  "Waiting  for 
a  Shot."  Usually,  by  a  little  careful  maneuvering  and 
circling  around,  the  Hawk  or  Eagle  can  be  approached 
sufificiently  close  to  enable  you  to  get  a  good  shot. 
Two  men,  one  attired  in  a  grass  suit  and  the  other  in 
ordinary  dress,  can  have  better  success  than  a  single 
person  in  a  grass  suit  in  quest  of  Hawks  or  Eagles. 
The  man  in  plain  clothes  can  attract  the  birds'  atten- 
tion, yet  keep  several  hundred  yards,  if  need  be,  from 
it,  and  his  companion  in  disguise  can  approach  it 
much  more  easily. 

A  good  rifle  shot  can  readily  destroy  Hawks,  etc., 
by  using  any  of  the  above-described  methods.  The 
late  Truman  Yarr-all.  of  Willistown,  Chester  county, 
Pa.,  was  an  expert  rifle  shot;  he  approached  his  vie- 


GRASS  SUIT. 


WAITING  FOR  A  SHOT. 


701 

tims  on  lioi-.seback,  and  would  shoot  them  at  from  GO 
to  150  3'aids  dif?tance.  This  gentleman  believed  that 
birds  of  pi'ev,  with  a  very  few  exceptions,  were  the 
worst  foies  that  poultry  and  game  had  to  contend 
against,  and  all  large-sized  Hawks  and  Owls  fell  be- 
fore his  unerring  aim,  wliich  caused  the  death,  during 
the  last  twerty  years  O'f  his  life,  of  between  1,500  and 
1,G00  Hawks,  besides  a  large  number  of  Owls  and  a 
few  Eagles.  Friend  Yarnall,  when  seventy-four  years 
of  age,  killed,  in  one  winter,  72  out  of  74  Hawks  that 
he  shot  at  with  liis  muzzle-loading  rifle  that  carried 
about  100  bullets  to  the  pound.  One  hundred  and 
seventy-six  Hawks  was  the  greatest  number  he  ever 
killed  in  any  one  jear.  Rifle-shooting,  however,  in  a 
populous  farming  community,  is  dangerous  and,  if 
practiced,  too  great  care  cannot  be  taken.  Indeed,  it 
is  the  safest  plan  to  not  do  it. 

WHEN  SNOW  COVERS  THE   GROUND. 

When  the  ground  is  covered  with  snow  the  grass 
suit,  of  course,  cannot  be  uped  as  a  disguise,  and  if  a 
horse  and  sleigh  is  not  obtainable,  a  dress  of  pure 
white  material — muslin  or  any  other  light  weight 
goods,  consisting  of  pants,  loose  blouse,  hat  and  white 
gloves — is  a  disguise  that  will  enable  the  hunter,  with 
reasonable  caution,  to  approach  on  foot  birds  of  prey 
in  the  same  manner  as  when  attired  in  the  grass  suit. 
The  gun  barrels  should  be  covered  with  white  mater- 
ial, paint,  chalk  or  muslin  case. 

SHOOTING   HAWKS   FROM   BLINDS. 

The  autlior  is  indebted  to  Dr.  Isaiah  F.  Everhart,  the 
well-known  traveler  and  naturalist,  of  Scranton,  Pa., 
for  an  account  of  a  uni(iue  method  of  killing  birds  of 
prey  when   migrating,   which  is  adopted  by  farmers 


702 

and  other  country  people  in  Lackawanna  county, 
where,  it  is  said,  several  hundred  Hawks  are  slain 
every  year  in  the  autumn.  I  have  been  informed  that 
as  many  as  100  dead  Hawks  have  been  seen  about 
this  blind  at  one  time, 

Scranton,  Pa.,  June  7,   1897. 
"B.  H.   Warren,  M.  D., 

"Harrisburg,   Pa. 

"My  Dear  Doctor:  In  reply  to  your  letter  requesting  infor- 
mation respecting  the  fall  migration  of  Hawks,  I  am  sorry  to 
say  that  I  am  not  as  well  informed  on  the  subject  as  the  matter 
requires.  About  eight  miles  north  from  Scranton,  Pa.,  over  a 
depression  of  mountain  langes  running  northeast  and  south- 
west, during  the  fall  months,  especially  October  and  November, 
the  Hawks  have  a  favorite  crossing  place  going  in  their  migra- 
tions. For  the  past  several  years  the  county  people  have  been 
in  the  habit  of  shooting  them  from  blinds  on  the  crest  of  the 
Mount  of  Brush.  The  mode  is  as  follows:  The  birds  can  be 
seen  coming  a  long  distance  across  the  valley  or  along  the 
mountain  side;  when  within  a  half  mile  or  so  a  dead  chicken  or 
Hawk  is  thrown  high  into  the  air;  If  seen  by  the  Hawk  it  will 
come  straight  as  an  arrow  for  the  supposed  prey  and  can  be 
easily  shot. 

"The  migrations  are  greatest  during  the  latter  part  of  Oc- 
tober and  the  first  part  of  November,  when  the  wind  blows 
strong  from  the  north  or  northwest;  the  number  of  Hawks 
shot  in  one  day  has  been  from  twenty  to  thirty,  while  a  hun- 
dred or  so  may  be  seen  that  are  not  attracted  to  the  blinds. 

"The  principal  species  are  the  Red-tail  and  the  Goshawk  and 
Cooper's  Hawk,  the  latter  predominating.  Occasionally  a  Gol- 
den Eagle  falls  a  victim  to  the  deception;  last  fall  two  were 
killed,  while  a  number  were  seen  to  pass.  The  Bald-headed 
Eagle  cannot  be  allured,  but  passes  in  contempt  all  efforts  to 
deceive  his  majesty. 

"In  the  spring  migrations  north  they  do  not  follow  this  exact 
course,  but  are  seen  high  in  the  air,  generally  over  the  crest  of 
the  mountain,  circling  high  on  their  journey. 

"I.  F.  EVERHART." 

SHOOTING    HAWKS    AT    ROOSTS. 

Another   method    of  shootinj,^   Hawks    from    blinds 
was,  some  years  aj;o.  verv  suocessfnllv  followed  bv  a 


703 

Philadelphia  laxideimist  of  my  acquaintance  who 
killed,  in  one  wii'ter,  about  a  hundred  of  these  birds, 
chiefly  Ked-tailed,  Red-shouldered  and  Rough-legged 
species,  which  frequented  the  meadows  in  the  daytime 
and  at  night  roosted  in  neighboring  woods.  His  plan 
was  to  go  to  the  woods  and,  by  seeing  the  droppings 
under  the  ti'ees,  he  could  locate  places  where  the 
birds  slept.  After  having  marked  these  places  the 
man  would  hide  in  blinds  made  of  boughs  and  fallen 
limbs,  brush,  etc.,  and  when  the  birds  returned  in  the 
evening  they  were  shot.  On  bright  moonlight  nights, 
he  informed  me,  he  often  killed  Hawks  by  walking 
from  one  tree  to  another  which  he  had  previously 
marked.  The  stomachs  of  thirty-five  of  these  Hawks, 
he  thus  destroyed  in  one  month,  were  examined,  and, 
with  t\AO  exceptions,  to-wit:  a  Red-tail  that  had  re- 
mains of  a  chicken  and  two-  Cooper^s  Hawks  which 
had  small  birds,  all  of  these  birds  of  prey  had  in  their 
viscera  only  small  rodents,  Meadow  Mice  chiefly,  and 
insects,  principally  grasshoppers,  and  a  few  frogs. 
Do  you  think  agricultural  or  game  interests  were  bene 
fitted  by  the  slaughter  of  these  beneficial  birds? 

TRAPPING   BIRDS   OF   PREY. 

Eagles,  Hav^ks  and  Owls,  as  well  as  numerous  other 
kinds  of  birds,  can  be  trapped.  The  following  are 
some  of  the  most  usual  means  adopted  to  capture  the 
raptorial  birds. 

Bii-ds  of  prey  as  well  as  some  predatory  mammals 
"will  often  kill  poultry  or  game  and  devour  a  portion  of 
it,  and  then  go  ofl"  and  return  again  to  feed  upon  the 
remaindci-.  A  si  eel  trap,  fastened  by  a  chain  to  a 
large  stone,  sjji'iiig  pole,  or  fence  rail.  luid  placed  on 
or  at  one  side  o-f  the  slain  animal  will  generallv  re- 


704 

suit  in  tlie  captiire  of  the  destroyer,  particiilnily  if  it 
be  a  raptorial  bird. 

Hawks  and  some  oilier  birds  of  prey  can  be  easily 
caught  by  setting  a  steel  trap  on  the  top  of  a  tree 
stump  or  pole  and  placing  a  bait  under  the  trap.  A 
Mouse,  small  bird,  or  chicken  can  be  used.  Some- 
times a  live  chicken  or  pigeon  tied  near  the  pole  or 
stump  on  wliich  the  trap  rests  is  used  to  lure  the 
Hawk  or  Owl,  which  often  will  fly  to  the  elevated 
perch  before  swooping  down  upon  it.  The  detrimen- 
tal species  of  Hawks  are  not  as  apt  to  be  caught  by 
steel  traps  with  live  bait  as  are  the  beneficial  species; 
especially  tlie  Red-tail  species.  Steel  traps  set  in 
grass  fields  or  meadows  slightly  covered  with  grass 
and  weeds,  and  baited  with  dead  mice  or  English 
Sparrows  tied  to  the  ])an,  often  serve  as  attractive 
baits  to  catch  Hawks  and  Owls. 

The  Cooper's  Hawk,  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  and  Gos- 
hawk, are  the  three  species  in  this  State  which  are  a 
scourge  to  the  poultry  yard.  They  all,  as  well  as  the 
Duck  Hawk,  it  is  said,  can  be  destroyed  by  the  "plank 
and  wire"  Hawk  trap,  a  Yankee  invention  that  is 
easily  constructed.  It  consists  of  a  piece  of  plank 
two  and  a  half  to  thiee  feet  square,  set  with  stiff  and 
sharp-pointed  perpendicular  wires  each  about  eighteen 
inches  to  two  feet  long.  This  is  placed  on  the  ground 
in  a  conspicuous  place  and  the  i)lank  is  covered  with 
grass  and  dirt,  or,  in  winter,  with  snow  (if  ground  is 
covered  with  snow')  and  a  live  chicken  or  pigeon  is  se- 
cured to  the  centre.  The  Hawk  seeing  this  pounces 
down  to  be  impaled  on  the  sharp-pointed  upwright 
wires.  The  Great  Horned  Owl,  Barred  Owl,  Snowy 
Owl,  and  Eagles  have,  it  is  said,  been  successfully  cap 
tui'ed  bv  this  contrivance. 


705 


METHODS  OF  CAPTURING  MAMMALS. 

This  paper  contains  brief  descriptions  of  certain 
methods  which  may  be  employed  by  farmers  and  poul- 
try raisers  to  capture  different  species  of  mammals 
which  prey  upon  the  inhabitants  of  their  poultry 
yards. 

It  it  not  the  intention  of  the  writer  to  give  in  this 
work  an  exhaustive  account  of  the  great  number  of 
artful  devices,  etc.,  which  skillful  trappers  and  poach- 
ers employ  to  catch  wild  animals.  Those  who  desire 
such  information  can  get  it  by  consulting  books  which 
are  devoted  entirely  to  the  art  of  trapping. 

While  it  is  true  that  many  kinds  of  good  traps  can 
be  made  by  hand,  the  best  kind  of  a  trap  for  general 
use  is  a  good  steel  trap.  Experienced  hunters  and 
trappers  claim  that  none  are  superior  to  the  celebrated 
"Newhouse  Steel  Traps,"  manufactured  by  the  Oneida 
Community,  Kenwood,  New  York.  These  traps  are 
graded  by  numbers.  No.  1  has  a  spead  of  jaws  of  four 
inches;  it  is  designed,  especially  for  Muskrats,  Mink 
and  other  animals  of  similar  size.  Size  No.  2  is  a  little 
larger;  the  spread  of  jaws  is  five  inches.  This  will 
hold  a  Fox,  Raccoon  or  Opossum.  It  will  also  hold  a 
Wildcat,  but  for  this  powerful  animal  a  No.  3,  which 
has  a  syjread  of  jaws  of  five  and  a  half  inches  and  pow- 
erful double  springs,  is  better. 

Many  persons  seem  to  think  the  pan  of  the  steel 
trap  should  be  baited.  The  i)an.  except  in  exceptional 
cases,  should  never  be  baited.  The  pan  is  intended 
for  the  foot  of  the  animal,  and   the  bait  should   be 

45--n 


706 

jilacrd  so  lliiit  (ho  iiiiiiiuil  nill  not  ii(tlic('  the  tiaj*, 
but  ill  t'lKii'iivoriiig  tu  reach  I  lie  bait  will  st(']>  on  tlic 
pan. 

TO  TRAP  A   WILD  CAT. 

\\ildc-ats  may  be  cauj^iit  in  a  steel  trap  placed  at  the 
entrance  of  a  pen  made  of  stakes,  arranged  in  a 
V-sliaped  manner  at  the  base  of  a  fallen  log  or  by  an 
old  stump,  in  slashings  where  these  animals  live.  The 
pen  is  usually  covered  over  the  top  with  some  brush. 
The  bait,  a  head  of  a  chicken,  Pheasant,  Rabbit,  or 
even  a  piece  of  fresh  beef,  is  hung  inside  of  the  pen, 
and  the  trap,  attached  to  a  strong  chain,  to  one  end 
of  which  is  fastened  a  small,  strong  log  or  pole,  weigh- 
ing, say,  six  to  eight  pounds,  which,  when  dragged 
along,  will  not  stop  the  animal  by  its  weight,  but 
which  will  seriously  retard  its  progress.  Sometimes 
a  strong  spring  pole  is  used.  This,  when  the  animal 
gets  into  the  trap,  draws  both  the  trap  and  its  captive 
up  into  the  air  and  out  of  reach  of  the  ground.  Wild- 
cats are  also  sometimes  caught  in  wire  snares  and 
dead-falls.  This  animal  may  be  caught  with  a  steel 
trap  hidden  under  snow,  leaves  or  moss,  and  a  bird  or 
other  bait  suspended  from  a  twig  above  the  trap  as 
shown  in  the  illustration  "How  to  Fool  a  Fox."  Some 
say  it  is  best  to  place  a  thin  piece  of  paper  over  the 
open  jaws  of  the  trap  so  as  to  keep  dirt,  moss  or  snow 
from  preventing  the  trap  working  easily. 

TO  CATCH  A  MINK. 

Minks  follow  the  water  and  they  hunt  around  e\evy 
nook  and  corner  for  food.  The  steel  trap  is  placed 
near  the  edge  of  the  water,  about  an  inch  under  the 
water's  surface,  directly  in  front  of  a   rock  or  high 


707 

bank,  where  Minks  aic  known  \<v  freqnent.  The  bait — 
a.  tish,  fi'oji,  bird  or  head  of  a  chicken — is  hnn<i  about 
eighteen  inches  above  the  trap.  The  bait  should  al- 
ways be  so  pkiced  that  it  cannot  be  reached  from  I  he 
bank  or  rock  witliout  tlie  animal  ste[is  into  the  trap 
to  reach  it. 

The  trai>  may  also  be  placed  on  the  land  and  cov- 
ered with  leaves,  snow,  moss,  etc.,  but  be  careful  that 
the  covering  will  not  stoj)  the  jaws  from  closing  prop- 
erly, and  hang  the  bait,  which  can  be  scented  with 
fish  oil  or  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of  peppermint, 
sweet  oil  and  honey.  Traps  can  also  be  set  in  shallow 
water,  and  a  twig  can  be  stuck  in  the  water  near  the 
trap  from  which  the  scented  bait  can  be  suspended. 
A  trap  can  be  set  at  the  foot  of  a  tree,  cc-vered.  and 
the  prepared  bait  hung  abo've  it.  The  carcass  of  a 
Muskrat,  a  favorite  article  of  food,  by  the  way,  of  the 
Mink,  a  dead  chicken,  fish  or  chunk  of  fresh  beef  can 
be  fastened  to  a  string  and  dragged  along  the  ground 
to  your  trap.  When  a  Mink  strikes  the  trail  thus  left 
he  will  usually  follow  it  until  caught.  This  is  a  plan 
often  pursued  by  professional  trappers  who  run  a  line 
of  traps  along  water  courses. 

HOW    TO    TRAP    AND    KILL   WEASEiLS.* 

For  winter  trapping,  the  most  successful  is  the  Newhouse 
double-spring  Fox  trap.  Make  two  holes  in  leaf  of  trap,  get 
any  kind  of  a  small  bird  (English  Sparrow  is  best),  tie  string 
around  body  of  bird,  under  feathers  of  back  and  wings,  and 
tie  fast  under  leaf  of  trap;  set  trap  under  rocks,  in  a  bed  of 
dry  ground,  where  snow  or  rain/  cannot  reach  it,  and  cover  all 
but  leaf  and  bird   with  gravel.    The  Weasel  will  take  hold  of 


*The  instructions  concerning  best  methods  of  destroying  Wea- 
sels given  here  are  those  employed  by  Mr.  Hugh  Malloy,  of 
Freeland,  Luzerne  county.  Pa.,  who  is  undoubtedly  the  most 
successful  hunter  of  these  animals  in  the  State.     I  have  quoted 

Mr.   Malloy's   methods  substantially  as  he   sent   them   to   me 

B.   H.   Warren. 


708 

bird  and  pull  and  press  at  It  and  the  trap  will  catch  him  by 
the  head  every  time.  A  Mouse  or  fresh  beef-steak  will  also  do 
for  bait.  When  you  find  a  dead  Rabbit  which  a  Weasel  has 
killed  and  dragged  to  the  nearest  tree  that  is  hollow  at  the 
butt,  cut  a  stick  two  feet  long,  tie  hind  legs  of  Rabbit  to  one 
end  of  stick,  stand  end  of  stick,  with  Rabbit  on,  up  in  the 
opening  of  the  tree,  put  other  end  on  the  ground  inside  of  the 
tree;  set  steel  trap  under  head  of  Rabbit;  Weasel  will  follow 
trail  of  Rabbit  on  ground,  and  in  trying  to  pull  the  Rabbit  off 
the  stick  will  get  in  the  trap.     Set  trap  lightly. 

HOW    TO     POISON     WEASELS     WITHOUT     DANGER     TO 
OTHER  ANIMALS. 

When  you  are  hunting  Rabbits  and  shoot  one,  cut  the  head 
off  at  once  while  the  blood  is  warm;  put  strychnine  in  head, 
place  it  in  a  Rabbit  or  Groundhog  hole,  or  under  a  rock,  put 
stone  in  mouth  of  hole,  leaving  space  large  enough  for  the 
Weasel  to  enter,  and  it  is  sure  death  for  either  Weasel,  Mink 
or    Skunk. 

I  found  several  dead  Rabbits  one  day  while  hunting  Foxes. 
I  always  carry  a  small  bottle  of  strychnine,  while  hunting.  1 
put  some  in  the  wound  in  each  Rabbit's  neck  and  fastened  it 
in  the  hole.  In  the  spring  I  found,  around  the  mouth  of  the 
hole,  five  Weasels,  four  brown  and  one  white,  dead.  You  can 
also  take  English  Sparrows,  cut  them  on  breast,  put  strychnine 
in  the  opening  and  place  Sparrow  in  the  hole;  you  will  have 
game  very  plentiful  on  the  grounds  the  next  season. 

You  can  also  use  the  wire  trap  in  winter  by  putting  live 
Sparrows  in  it  and  feeding  them  with  bird  seeds,  oats  and 
wheat;  all  other  kinds  of  live  bait  will  die  with  cold  except 
the  Sparrow. 

HOW    TO    CATCH    WEASELS    IN    SUMMER. 

Take  wire  trap;  it  must  be  well-bound  with  extra  wires  or 
Weasel  will  bite  the  wires  together  and  get  out.  Put  oats, 
corn,  peanuts,  fresh  meat  and  half  of  apple  or  piece  of  tur- 
nip, as  food  and  drink,  for  Mouse,  Chipmunk  or  Squirrel;  set 
trap  on  the  mountain,  between  rocks,  or  large  live  bait  will  go 
in  after  the  food.  The  Weasel  will  see  the  Chipmunk,  Squir- 
rel or  Mouse  in  trap,  and  will  go  in  and  kill  the  bait  and  can- 
not get  out. 

When  the  Weasel  is  caught,  jiut  trap  in  water,  until  it  is 
covered  over  and  Weasel  will  drown.     Set  trap  for  other  Wea- 


TOO 

sels.  You  must  feed  your  live  bait  aljout  tliioe  times  a  week. 
Live  Sparrows  will  do  all  right  at  any  time  of  the  year.  If 
there  are  no  Mice  or  t^hipmunks  when  you  set  your  trap,  you 
must  catch  them  with  a  wire  trap  at  home  or  some  other  place 
and  put  them  in  the  trap.  Always  keep  good,  lively  bait  in 
your  trap  and  you  will  be  sure  to  catch  Weasels.  Do  not  be- 
come discouraged  if  you  have  a  trap  set  for  several  weeks 
without  getting  a  Weasel;  keep  feeding  your  bait  and  if  there 
are  any  Weasels  within  three  or  four  miles  of  the  place,  you 
will  be  sure  to  get  them.  Remember,  if  you  are  a  hunter,  that 
killing  one  Weasel  on  your  hunting  grounds  will  save  hun- 
dreds  of  game. 

GREAT  INCREASE   OF  GAME. 

Until  1893  I  only  knew  how  to  catch  Weasels  in  winter  with 
dead  bait;  when  weather  got  warm  I  could  not  trap  any.  In 
1893  I  began  experimenting  with  wire  trap;  I  found  that  they 
would  go  into  the  trap  and  kill  the  bait,  but  that  the  trap  could 
not  hold  them;  but  that  difficulty  I  overcame.  When  I  could 
only  catch  them  in  winter,  they  were  always  plentiful  the 
next  fall;  but  now  I  catch  all  I  can  in  winter  and  summer,  be- 
fore they  have  their  young  and  after  they  have  their  young, 
and  the  result  is,  farmers  are  successfully  raising  poultry 
again  and  game  has  increased  900  per  cent. 

In  1896  there  were  over  10,000  Rabbits  shot  within  three- 
fourths  of  a  mile  of  Preeland,  a  town  of  7,f>00  population. 

TO  TRAP  THE  SKUNK  AND  RACCOON. 

Tlie  Skunk  is  caught  in  numerous  devices,  and,  as  i( 
is  not  at  all  v^ary,  little  trouble  i.s  experienced  in 
trapping  it.  Steel  traps,  box  traps  and  dead-falls,  are 
the  usual  methods  employed  in  this  region  for  their  de- 
struction. A  steel  Irap  (>an  be  placed  at  the  entrance 
of  their  burrows,  covered  over  lightly  with  earth, 
leaves,  etc.,  and  piece  of  meat,  eggs,  or  mice  placed 
around  it. 

Raccoons  may  be  caught  by  placing  a  steel  tT-ajt. 
chained  to  a  log,  on  the  edge  of  a  stream  or  i)ou<l 
u'liich  these  animals  are  known  to  frequent;  the  trap 
should  be  set  an  inch  or  two  below  the  water's  sur- 


710 

face.  The  bail :  a  fisli,  frog,  head  of  a  l*heasau1,  Tur- 
key oi'  Cliieken,  seen  ted  witli  oil  of  anise,  and  liuiig 
about  two  feet  and  a  half  above  the  trap.  The  'Coon 
can  also  be  caut;lit  in  the  V-shaped  pen  trap,  with  bail 
scented  with  oil  of  anise,  and  placed  far  back  in  the 
pen  and  the  trap  covered  over  at  entrance. 

SOME    METHODS    OF    DESTROYING    RATS. 

Kats  aie  found  in  all  sections  of  the  State,  and  llu' 
damage  they  do  in  the  poultry  yard,  besides  commit- 
ling  great  injuries  in  other  ways,  is  frequently  far 
greater  than  that  done  by  all  other  preying  animals. 

Rats  are  particularly  cautious,  which,  in  conjunc- 
tion witli  their  remarkable  cunning,  oftentimes  make 
il  a  difficult  and,  at  times,  ahnost  an  impossible  task 
to  catch  or  destroy  them. 

Common  house  cats,  like  Weasels,  that  often  live 
about  barns  and  other  out-buildings,  frequently  do 
great  service  in  i  idding  tlie  places  of  both  Kats  and 
Mice,  but  sometimes  both  the  cat  and  Weasel  will  kill 
chickens.  The  Weasel,  when  it  begins  to  destroy 
poultry,  spares  neither  old  or  young  and  in  a  short 
lime  will  slay  a  gi-eat  number.  Some  farmers  say 
they  like  to  have  Weasels  live  about  their  barns  and 
haystacks,  but  wlien  these  animals  frequent  sucli 
places  the  poulh-y  is  always  in  more  or  less  danger  of 
b(Mng  attacked. 

SHOOTING. 

The  writer  has  foi-  st^-eral  years  past  been  able, 
wilh  llie  aid  of  a  shot  gun,  to  drive  "Rats  away  from  hi« 
premises,  wliere,  a1  irregular  intervals,  1h(>y  came 
from  neigliboring  buildings.  About  eight  y(»ai'S  ago 
Ihe   stable   at   mv   liome   was   literallv   overrun    wilh 


7J1 

Kills.  I'wisou,  two  iiood  cats,  aud  steel  traps  failed 
lo  make  any  pei-ce]»tible  impressiou  on  them.  Fi- 
nally 1  took  a  shot  ^uu  aud  whenever  a  Kat  was  seen 
to  poke  its  head  out  of  a  hole  or  from  under  a  chicken 
house  or  run  across  the  la^^n  a  load  of  tine  shot  was 
sent  after  it.  Ju  the  course  of  a  week  about  a  do-zen 
were  killed.  Tliis  made  them  very  shy  aud  they,  were 
rai-cly  seen  about  in  the  daytime,  but  they  remained 
about  llu*  buildings  and  coutiuned  to  do  much  mis- 
chief in  the  night  ti)ue.  I  went  awav  from  hvime  and 
was  absent  two  weeks.  During  this  time  the  Kats 
had  not  bt^n  shot  at  and  they  were  often  seen  ab(tut 
the  }»lace  in  daytime.  I  determined  to  ado'pt  a  new 
mode  of  waifare,  as  it  luid  Wi'u  suggested  to  me  that 
if  a  Eat  ^^■as  crippled  with  shot  it  would  be  far  bet- 
ter than  killing  it  outright.  I  stationed  myself  at  a 
point  where  the  animals  usually  came  out,  and,  in 
(wo  days,  shot  six  with  a  .22  auxiliary  barrel,  the  cart- 
ridges for  which  were  loaded  with  about  70  pellets  of 
mustard-seed  shot.  Two  of  the  animals  wei'e  very 
near  when  shot  at  aud  both  were  unable  to  get  away 
from  the  holes,  but  the  others  were  only  crippled  and 
made  their  escape.  Two  days  after  the  occurreuct' 
I  he  Kats  left  the  ]dace.  Since  that  time  the  saun- 
j)lan  has  been  adopted  when  the  Rats  made  their  ap- 
pearance aud  as  soon  as  two  or  three  wounded  ones 
go-t  away  the  rest  speedily  left  the  premises. 

STRYCHNINE  AND  ARSENIC. 

These  dangerous  and  deadly  poisons  are  often  em- 
ployed  with  good   success  to  kill   Rats.     The  use  of 
these  agents,  however,  is  attended   with   much   dan 
ger,  and  often  the  animals  which  eat  the  poisoned  food 
hide  under  lloors.  in  walls  and  other  jjlaces  wheic  they 


712 

(leconiposc  iuid  occasion  «;ieal  slencli.  Stiycliuiiic,  a 
vt'j'elahlt'  poison  and  vrry  bitter  in  taste,  kills 
(|alckiy.  It  is  'generally  used  by  cuttinji  <;ashes  in 
pieces  of  meat  and  insertinji'  the  poison  in  the  incisions 
wliiclj  are  closed  toj^etliei-  and  the  meat  is  then  nailed 
to  a  board  or  phiDk  and  placed  in  runways  or  oilier 
places  where  Rats  go,  and  where  other  animals  can 
not  get  at  it. 

Arsenic,  a  mineral  poison,  is  sweet  to  the  taste;  it 
is  often  used  in  conjunction  with  plaster  of  paris  and 
mixed  with  butter  which  is  spread  on  bread,  or  it  can 
be  mixed  with  dry  cornmeal  for  the  Rats.  Strych- 
nine is  far  more  deadly  and  certain  in  its  action  and 
il  destroys  its  victims  quickly.  Arsenic,  on  the  other 
liaiul,  wliile  it  causes  death,  kills  more  slowly  and 
causes  great  irritation  and  iutiammation  of  the  stom- 
acli,  etc.  This  action  of  the  latter  agent  has  induced 
many  persons  to  recommend  its  use  in  preference  to 
strychnine,  as  it  is  claimed  the  Kats  will  leave  the 
buildings  and  go  to  water  to  allay  their  sufferings.  I 
do  not  recommend  the  use  of  either  of  these  poisons 
for  the  destruction  of  Kats  or  Mice,  as  the  use  of  such 
means  is  attended  with  great  danger  and  other  objec- 
tions. However,  if  you  do  use  them  it  is  well  to  bait 
the  animals  for  several  days  with  meat  or  meal  so 
they  will  become  accustomed  to.  it  before  you  arrange 
I  he  ])oisoned  food  for  them. 

TRAPS. 

Different  kinds  of  wire  traps  are  sold  by  dealers  for 
catching  Rats  and  many  of  them  for  a  time  answer 
the  puipose  very  well.  Various  hand-made  box-tra])s. 
snares  and  dead-falls  are  also  used  mo-re  or  less  suc- 
cessfully to  aid  in  extenninating  these  rodents.     The 


713 

steel  traps,  smallest  sized  ones,  hidden  in  bran,  mciil. 
or  covered  lij^btlv  with  dirt  and  placed  in  runways  arc- 
often  very  effective.  When  a  Rat  is  cauj;bt  in  a  steel 
trap  it  is  well  to  smoke  it  by  holding  it  over  bninin^ 
paper  or  chicken  feathers  to  remove  all  traces  of  (Ik- 
first  victim  before  you  set  it  a  second  time. 

THE  WIRE  NOOSE. 

Kats  are  sometimes  caught  with  a  noose,  made  from 
tine  brass  wire,  fastened  at  one  end  by  a  nail  above, 
with  the  noose  hung  over  the  hole  they  come  out  of. 
If  this  method  is  employed  it  is  best  to  have  a  piece 
of  wire  without  a  noose  for  several  days  over  the  hole 
and  allow  the  free  end  of  the  wire  to  hang  in  front  or 
at  the  side  of  the  hole  so  the  wary  Rats  will  become 
accustomed  to  it.  They  will  then  be  mucli  more  likely 
to  get  ensnared  in  the  noose  when  it  is  set  for  them. 

THE   MILK   CAN   TRAP. 

A  faiTner  in  Bradford  county  employs  the  follow- 
ing method  in  killing  Rats  with  good  success.  Con- 
cerning it  he  says:  Take  a  large  milk  can — such  as  is 
used  to  sTiij)  milk— which  will  hold  forty  or  fifty 
quarts,  place  a  board  alongside  of  the  can,  so  Rats  can 
run  up  to  the  toj»  or  mouth  of  can.  and  put  a  piece  of 
board  inside  of  can  long  enough  to  reach  from  top  to 
bottom  of  the  vessel :  then  scatter  corn,  wheat,  oats  or 
meal  over  bottom  of  can.  The  bait  should  be  replen- 
ished for  several  days  so  that  the  Rats  will  become 
accustomed  to  it  and  know  where  they  can  get  a  good 
square  meal.  Tlien  remove  the  board  from  the  inside. 
The  Rats  will  run  up  the  outside  board  and  jum])  into 
can  and  cannot  get  out.  As  many  as  eight  or  ten  (»f 
these  animals  have  been  caught  in  one  night  in  this 
45*-Il 


714 

\v;iy;  and  the  trap  can  generally  he  used  for  several 
siiceessivc  nights  before  llie  Hats  learn  to  keep  away 
from  it. 

THE    BARREL    TRAPS. 

Rat  traps  made  out  of  ordinary  water-tight  barrels 
are  perhaps  the  best  kind  of  traps  that  can  be  used  to 
destroy  these  troublesome  household  pests.  They  are 
made  as  follows:  Take  a  water-tight  barrel  and  pour 
into  it  water  to  the  depth  of  12  or  15  inches;  then  take 
a  very  thick  and  strong  i>iece  of  paper,  dampen  it  and 
stretch  it  over  the  top  of  the  barrel,  and  tie  or  securely 
fasten  it  around  the  top  of  the  barrel  with  rope,  twine, 
or  annealed  wire.  The  paper  Avhen  it  gets  dry  be- 
comes fiat  and  tightens.  Place  the  barrel  in  the  cel- 
lar or  barn  oi-  anywhere  where  the  Rats  can  easily 
jum[>  on  it,  and  put  pieces  of  cheese,  meat,  cake  or 
any  food  thej  like,  provided  it  has  no  fluid  in  it  to 
dampen  the  paper,  and  allow  the  Rats  to  come  and 
visit  it  for  a  week  or  ten  days  until  they  become  ac- 
customed to  regularly  A'isit  the  barrel  for  their  meals. 
Of  course,  the  foo-d  materials  must  be  renewed  on  the 
l>aper  as  fast  as  they  are  carried  off  by  the  vermin. 
When  you  are  convinced  that  the  Rats  are  not  sus- 
picious of  the  affair  cut  two  long  slits  in  the  paper  so 
as  to  divide  the  cover  into  four  parts  then  glue  the 
bait — same  kinds  as  were  used  before  paper  was  cut — 
to  the  top  of  paper  so  that  the  Rats  can  see  it  as  they 
(lid  on  uianv  previous  occasions.  Th(\v  come  feai'- 
lessly  to  the  bfirrel,  jump  dosvri  and  go  into-  the  watei'. 
hi  this  way  large  numV)ei-s  arc  caught.  The  ]»a]i(M- 
will  spriiiji  back  to  its  jdace  wlien  the  Rats  ])ass 
through  it.  Sometimes  tliin  steel  springs  aie  ar- 
laclied  to  sides  of  linrrel  and  extend  to  point  where 
slits  in  paper  cross;     this  is  to  make  it  certain  that 


715 

each  ])ipce  of  j)apc'r  will  fly  back  in  place  when 
the  liats  .strike  it  and  fall  thniuj;h.  If  these  thin 
strips  o-f  steel  are  used  they  should  be  very  light. 

Another  kind  of  a  barrel  trap  consists  of  a  water- 
ti^dit  barrel  with  a  platform  which  is  fixed  by  hinges 
inside  of  the  barrel  so  it  will  fit  the  opening  near  the 
top  but  not  come  in  contact  with  the  sides.  This 
])latfc'rni  can  be  locked  with  nails  or  screws  and  baited 
for  several  days  and  placed  in  the  haunts  of  Rats  and 
the  screws  or  nails  can  be  removed  and  the  bait,  fast- 
ened to  the  board  platform  with  fine  wire,  will  attract 
the  Rats  to  it.  When  they  jump  upon  the  platfomi 
it  turns  over  and  the  animals  slide  into  the  water, 
and  if  the  revolving  platfoiTn  is  properly  weighted  it 
will  assume  its  prO'per  place. 

OWLS  DO  THE  WORK  WELL. 

\\'liile  it  is  true  that  these  and  other  methods  may 
be  emj)l(ned  with  more  or  less  success  in  destroying 
rodents,  experience  proves  that  none  of  them  are  su- 
perior and  few  are  equal  to  Owls  in  ridding  cellars 
and  other  buildings  of  both  Rats  and  Mice.  When 
your  premises  are  infested  with  Rats  or  Mice  and  you 
have  a  cellar  or  building  which  these  rodents  inhabit, 
and  th*.*  jjlace  can  be  kept  closed  so  the  bird  cannot  es- 
cape, you  can  soon  get  rid  of  the  unwelcome  inhabi- 
tants by  getting  a  live  Great  Horned  Owl  or  a  Barred 
Owl,  either  of  AAhich  will,  in  a  short  time,  destroy  all 
the  Rats  and  Mice  in  the  place.  The  little  Screech 
Owl  confined  in  the  same  way  will  destroy  ^iice  and 
sometimes  will  attack  and  kill  Rats,  particulnrly 
vdimu;  ones, 


716 

THE    GREAT    HORNED    OWL    AS    A    RATTER. 

Mr.  IV'ujainin  M.  Evcihart,  the  Chester  county 
hotanist  and  naturalist,  who  some  years  aj;o  did  a 
wholesaU^  };rocery  business  in  West  Chester,  Pa.,  j^ives 
tlie  foilowinii  as  his  ex})erienfe  with  a  Great  Horned 
Owl. 

"The  cellar  and  building  where  we  had  our  gruceries  was 
literally  overrun  with  Rats.  I  tried  a  barrel-trap  and  caught 
a  good  many,  but  this  and  other  devices  made  no  perceptible 
decrease  in  their  numbers.  One  day  I  obtained  a  young  Great 
Horned  Owl,  nearly  full  feathered,  and  put  him  in  the  cellar 
where  the  Rats  were  doing  much  mischief.  The  bird  was  fed 
on  fresh  meat,  birds  and  dead  Rats  and  Mice,  and  in  a  short 
time  became,  apparently,  well  contented  in  his  new  and  dark 
home,  where  he  grew  quite  tame  and  learned  to  know  me.  He 
occupied  a  perch  near  the  middle  of  the  cellar,  and  close  to 
the  floor  above  the  same.  One  day  I  took  a  lot  of  wheat,  corn 
and  oats  and  spread  them  on  the  floor  and  covered  these  over 
loosely  withsome  straw.  This  proved  to  be  a  most  alluring  bait 
for  the  Rats.  They  came  there  to  feed,  and  the  Owl  would  fly 
down  and  kill  and  eat  them.  In  a  short  time  he  killed  or  drove 
off  all  the  Rats." 

THE    BARRED    OWL,    AND    RATS. 

Dr.  A,  K.  Fisher,  Ornithologist  of  the  Biological  Sur- 
vey, Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C, 
says  that  an  acquaintance  of  his  who  owns  a  brewery 
in  New  York  State,  tried  in  vain  for  several  years  to 
destroy  the  Rats  and  Mice  which  lived  in  the  place 
wheie  Ills  grains  were  stored.  Finally  one  day  he  ob- 
tained fronj  a  bo-y  a  live  Barred  Owl  and  put  it  in  the 
grain  room.  The  Owl  got  down  to  business  at  once 
and  in  a  few  months  killed  all  the  rodents  in  the 
place. 

THE    SCREECH    OWL    .\ND    MICE. 

The  Screech  Owl  is  fond  of  Mice  and  if  one  is  kept 
in  a  cellar  where  these  troublesome  little  pests  are  it 


jf  /^  Ml 


717 

will  scion  clear  tlieiii  out.  I  have  on  two  or  three  oc- 
casious  tried  this  wav  of  dealinj;-  with  .Mire,  and  ciu  li 
time  it  was  successfnl. 

SOME   METHODS   OF   TRAPPING    FOXES. 

Foxes  are  exceedingly  wary  and  they  are  among 
the  most  difficult  of  all  animals  to  catch  in  traps. 
Sometimes,  but  not  often,  Foxes  are  caught  in  a  dead- 
fall. Senator  Lafayette  Rowland,  of  IMke  county, 
where  Foxes  are  numerous,  who  lost  a  great  maiiy 
chickens  and  turkeys  from  the  repeated  visits  of  these 
sneaking  animals,  which  came  from  their  dens  in  the 
mountains  about  a  half  mile  from  his  premises  and 
carried  off  the  poultry  in  the  daytime  as  well  as  in  the 
night,  has  pi'acticed  a  novel  plan  with  good  success 
of  capturing  them.     He  describes  it  as  follows: 

"I  built  a  slat  pen  or  coop  in  a  woods  back  of  my  house  ami 
put  a  rooster  and  duck  in  it  and  left  a  couple  of  slats  at  one  end 
so  the  Fox,  by  a  little  effort,  could  get  in.  The  first  night  he 
came  to  the  coop  but  did  not  find  the  place  to  go  in.  He  re- 
turned the  second  night  and  got  in  and  killed  the  duck  but  the 
young  rooster  got  away.  I  then  threw  some  chickens'  heads  and 
meat  in  the  pen  and  shot  some  sparrows  and  threw  them  with 
the  heads  and  entrails  of  ducks  and  chickens  on  the  ground 
about  the  pen  andi  continued  to  bait  the  Foxes  in  this  way  for 
about  a  week.  Then  I  took  four  strong  steel  traps  and  covered 
them  over  with  moss,  leaves  and  dirt — very  loosely  placed  so 
covering  would  not  clog  the  traps  and  prevent  them  from  hold- 
ing the  Fox — and  set  them  at  different  places  around  the  pen, 
where  another  duck  was  confined.  This  plan  worked  admirably 
and  I  caught  several   Foxes." 

THE  TRAP  .\ND  BED. 

To  be  successful  in  trapping  Foxes,  it  is  absolutely 
necessary  that  your  steel  trap  should  be  clean  and 
free  from  mst,  and  it  should  not  be  handled  with  the 
bare  hands;  always  handle  your    trap    with    gloves; 


718 

bucksUin  uru  piub;ibly  the  bi'st.  Foxes  are  very  wary 
about  approaching;  I  lie  most  temptiiij^-  bait  when  they 
discover  the  scent  of  a  luniian  being,  and  many  otlier 
animals  are  likewise  afraid  of  it;  hence,  when  handlin*,' 
traps  for  any  animal,  cover  your  hands  with  buckskin 
gloves.  In  getting-  a  steel  trap  ready  to  catch  a  Fox, 
it  should,  as  already  stated,  be  perfectly  clean  and 
every  trace  of  rust  removed;  then  washed  in  weak  lye, 
greased  and  dried.  Then  it  should  be  well  smoked  by 
holding  over  burning  hens'  feathers.  After  this  is 
done  some  recommend  that  both  the  trap  and  chain 
should  be  smeared  all  over  with  beeswax.  To  do  this 
melt  the  beeswax  and  smear  it  with  a  feather.  At- 
tach the  free  end  of  the  chain  to  a  log,  about  two  or 
two  and  one-half  feet  long  and  eight  or  ten  inches  in 
circumference,  to  serve  as  a  drag  to  impede  the  Fox 
when  he  gets  into  the  trap.  But  before  you  fix  the 
trap  as  described  above  it  is  necessary  to  make  a  "bed" 
for  it.  Tliis  is  done  in  the  following  manner:  Tlie 
bed  should  be  made  on  level  ground  and  cover  a  space 
of  about  nine  or  ten  feet  in  circumference  and  about 
an  inch  and  a-half  deep.  The  materials  used  to  make 
the  bed  are  buckwheat  chaff,  which  experienced  trap- 
pers claim  is  the  best,  wheat  chaff,  or  oat  chaff;  wood 
ashes  and  moss  are  also  sometimes  used  with  satisfac- 
tory results.  This  should  be  baited  for  at  least  a 
week,  before'  a  trap  is  set,  with  scraps  of  cheese,  pieces 
of  fresh  meat,  heads  of  chickens,  turkeys,  or  Pheasants 
or  Englisli  Sparrows — heads  and  all — will  answer. 
This  bed,  of  couise,  is  made  in  some  place  where 
Foxes  are  accustomed  to  wander  on  food-hunting  ex- 
peditions, and  when  they  become  acquainted  with  the 
place,  the  trap  should  be  set  and  covered  up  in  the 
chaff;  a  thin  i>iece  of  paper  should  be  placed  over  pan 


719 

of  trap  so  that  the  covering  will  not  prevent  it  from 
working  properly.  Strew  some  bail  on  bed  about  tlie 
trap  and  scatter  some  also  around  at  some  distance 
from  tlie  trap.  Avoid  walking  around  or  on  the  bed 
and  do  not  spit  on  or  about  the  bed.  If  you  leave  any 
tracks  in  the  snow  take  a  sieve  and  till  them  up  with 
fine  snow.  In  going  to  and  from  the  trap  always  step 
in  the  same  tracks.  It  is  also  a  good  plan,  experienced 
trappers  claim,  to  take  a  feather  and  sprinkle  over  the 
bed,  after  trap  is  set,  a  little  oil  of  amber,  lavender 
water  or  musk.  The  Fox  is  also  often  caught  with  a 
steel  trap  carefully  hidden,  as  previously  described 
and  the  bait  a  bird — Sparrow,  Pheasant  or  Chicken — 
suspended  above  the  trap  as  shown  in  illustration 
"How  to  Fool  a  Fox." 

Tlie  entrails  of  a  sheep  or  Deer  can  be  dragged  over 
the  ground  for  some  distance  in  a  field  where  Foxes 
come  to  hunt  their  food,  and  then  bury  them  in  loose 
earth  and  make  a  small  mound  over  them;  cover  this 
with  chaff  or  wood  ashes  and  set  a  steel  trap  on  either 
side  of  the  elevation.  After  placing  the  tra])s,  scent 
with  lavender  water  or  music.  A  bird,  fowl  or  Kabbit 
can  also  be  used  in  place  of  entrails. 

Another  method,  and  one  shown  in  the  accom])any- 
ing  illustration,  is  often  successfully  emi)loyed  by  ox 
perienced  trappers.  The  chain  must  not  show  any- 
where, and  it  is  better  to  cover  chain  in  water,  with 
mud,  stones  or  gravel.  The  trap  should  not  be  over 
eighteen  inches  from  the  shore,  and  not  more  than 
an  inch  and  a-half  under  water.  A  sod  just  the  size 
of  the  inside  of  the  trap  with  open  jaws  must  be  cut 
to  rest  on  the  ]>an.  In  order  to  prevent  the  weight 
of  the  sod  from  springing  tho  trap  it  is  necessary  to 


720 

.su|ii)()jt  it  from  below  with  an  upnght  stick.  The 
bait,  a  dead  duck,  snipe  or  rabbit,  is  placed  on  the 
water  outside  of  the  trap  and  anchored  there  with  a 
stone  or  b\  a  peg  and  twine  string.  The  Fox  is  very 
apt  to  slep  on  the  sod  that  covers  the  trap  to  reach 
this  bait  when  he  sees  it. 


721 


UEADS. 


It  has  bt't'ii  clearly  shown  on  previous  pages  that, 
except  in  the  counties  of  Crawford  and  Lawrence, 
there  is  a  strong  sentiment  in  Pennsylvania  f(w  the 
enactment  of  bounty  laws. 

At  every  session  of  our  Legislature  for  many  years 
past  scalp  o-r  bounty  measures  were  presented  and  it 
was  only  by  the  most  energetic  work  both  in  commit- 
tee and  on  the  floors  of  the  Senate  and  House  thai 
bills  including  numerous  species  of  birds  and  mam 
mals  were  defeated.  The  fact  that  a  few  species  of 
Hawks  and  one  or  two  kinds  of  Owls  are  very  de- 
structive to  poultry  and  game,  has  caused  such  a  uni- 
versal prejudice  against  the  raptorial  birds  that  every 
one  which  is  known  by  the  name  "Hawk"  or  "Owl"  is 
placed  on  the  black  list  and  a  bounty  is  advocated  for 
its  destruction. 

A  FEATHKRED  PEST. 

The  English  Sparrow  is  justly  despised  by  farmers, 
horticulturists,  naturalists  and  all  other  persons  who 
love  and  desire  to  protect  our  native  song  and  insec- 
tivorous birds.  The  bad  habits  of  the  English  Spar- 
row are  s<^  well-known  that  a  number  of  farmers' 
clubs,  Pomona  and  subordinate  grange  organizations 
throughout  the  State  have,  in  recent  years,  when 
called  upon  to  express  an  opinion  concerning  this  bird, 
favored,  by  almost  unanimous  votes,  a  bounty  to  be 
paid  by  the  State  for  his  miserable  head.  Tlie  enmity 
against  the  English  Sparrow  is  so  pronounced  in  our 
farming  communities  that  at  an  annual  meeting  of  the 
46-n 


722 

Pennsylvania  State  (j range,  P.  of  H.,  the  largest,  and, 
bv  far,  the  most  inlluenlial  organized  body  of  farmers 
in  the  Commonwealth,  resolutions  were  passed  urging 
the  State  Legislatuje  to  allow  a  bounty  of  a  few  cents 
each  on  every  English  Sjjarrow  slain. 

There  i&  no  doubt  whatever  that  if  English  Spar- 
rows were  all  destroyed  it  would  be  a  great  blessing, 
but  this  is  not  feasible  through  a  bounty  act.  A  num- 
ber of  States  and  counties  have  tried  this  method  of 
exterminating  this  feathered  pest  and  it  has  always 
been  a  failure. 

WANT  BOUNTIES  FOR  NUMEROUS  ANIMALS. 

The  data  collected  by  our  State  Board  of  Game 
Commissioners  shows  plainly  that  there  is  a  growing 
sentiment  in  favor  of  paying  bounties  for  the  King- 
fislier,  the  Fish  Hawk,  Herons,  Bitterns,  "Fish  Ducks" 
and  even  Water  Snakes,  all  of  which  devour  different 
species  of  the  finny  tribes.  The  writer  has,  since  the 
latter  part  of  1885,  devoted  a  great  deal  of  study  to 
the  effect  of  bounty  laws  and  has,  during  the  last 
eleven  years,  visited  almost  every  county  in  the  Com- 
monwealth, attending  institutes,  grange  meetings,  etc., 
where  abundant  ojiportunity  was  had  to  acquaint 
himself  with  the  views  of  those  who  engage  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits.  This  experience,  together  with  infor- 
mation received  through  circulars,  letters,  etc..  un- 
fortunately compels  the  writer  to  say  that  at  present 
(April,  1897)  if  the  representatives  from  the  counties* 
other  than  Allegheny  and  Philadelphia  (where  the 
average  voter  seems  to  pay  little  or  no  attention  to 
how  his  Senator  or  member  of  the  House  votes)  were 

*Pos?ibly  in  Crawford  and  Lawrence  counties  a  majority  of 
the  citizens  are  opposed  to  paying  bounties  on  account  of  rea- 
sons elsewhere  mentioned. 


723 

called  upon  to  vole,  as  a  iiiajoiily  of  their  constituents 
have  said,  tliev  would  favor  bounty  acts  which,  in  the 
main,  would  cause  an  enormous  money  expenditure 
and  also  practically  exterminate  many  of  our  most 
benoticial  animals. 

Believinji:,  as  I  do,  that  this  is  the  true  state  of  af- 
fairs in  Pennsylvania,  I  have  prepared  this  document 
in  such  a  manner  that  it  will  be  sought  after,  and  if 
it  reaches,  as  it  should,  those  who  are  interested  in 
agriculture,  it  will,  I  am  confident,  do  a  vast  amount 
of  good  by  correcting  many  erroneous  opinions  which 
exist  about  different  birds  and  mammals. 

Any  fair  minded  and  unbiased  person  must  admit 
that,  with  all  the  educational  advantages  of  which 
this  great  Commonwealth  so  proudly  boasts,  it  is 
lamentable  to  admit  that  Zoological  science  has  been 
so  neglected  that  coointy  officials  in  numerous  parts  of 
the  State,  when  called  upon  in  an  official  capacity  to 
receive  the  heads  of  birds  and  mammals  under  scalp 
acts,  were  unable  to  distinguish,  in  some  cases,  re- 
mains of  domesticated  animals,  such  as  turkeys,  chick- 
ens, dogs,  kittens,  ferrets,  mules  and  colts,  from 
Hawks,  Owls,  Wolves,  Wildcats,  Poxes,  Minks,  Squir- 
rels, Weasels  and  Rabbits.  That  this  ignorance  has 
existed  in  recent  years  there  is  no  doubt,  as  1  have  in 
my  possession  the  heads  of  a  number  of  animals  which 
were  sent  to  the  Smithsonian  Institute,  Washington, 
D.  0.,  and  to  my  oltice,  by  county  officials,  as  heads  of 
Hawks,  Owls,  Wildcats,  Minks  and  Weasels,  but  ex- 
amination proved  them  to  be,  first,  in  the  way  of  birds: 

Pheasant  or  Ruffed  Grouse, 
Sharp-tailed  Grouse, 
Common  Chicken, 
Wild  Turkey  (female). 


724 

Aniciiciin  IIeiiin;jf  (J nil, 

Shrike  or  Butcher  liird, 

Night  hawk. 

Whip-poor- will, 

Horned  Grebe  (male). 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo, 

Common  Robin, 

Turkey  Vulture. 
Second,  in  the  line  of  mammals,  the  following: 

Opossum, 

Jack  Rabbit, 

Fox  Squirrel, 

Chipmunk, 

Flying  Squirrel, 

Red  Squirrel, 

Gray  Squirrel, 

Ferret. 

The  heads  of  some  of  these  birds  and  other  animals 
last  mentioned  have  been  reproduced  on  the  plates  at 
the  end  of  this  chapter.  Tbese  heads  show  much 
better  than  any  pen  pictures  could  do^  the  absolute 
need  of  a  document  which  will  clearly  show  the  dif- 
ferences between  domesticated  and  wihl  animals  of 
both  furred  and  feathered  kinds. 

A   BAD   CLASS  OF  CATS. 

There  is  a  certain  class  of  common  house  cats, 
which,  in  tiie  course  of  their  noisy  and  blood-thirsty 
careers,  becomei  dissatisfied  with  the  comforts  and 
trials  they  have  about  human  habitations. 

Some  assert  these  felines  have  been  disappointed 
in  love  affairs;  others  affirm  it  is  because  they  have, 
with  the  assistance  of  the  English  Sparrow  and  hat- 
bird  hunters,  practically  destroyed  all  the  native  birds 


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725 

in  the  .yards,  lawns  and  orchards  thej  fieqnent;  and, 
as  the  young  of  douiesticated  fo-wls  arc  carefully 
guarded  by  their  owners,  these  cats  thirst  for  feath 
ered  game,  and,  like  hermits,  hie  away  and  live  in 
retirement  in  woods  and  thickets. 

Members  of  the  feline  tribe  which  thus  retire  to  live 
become  exceedingly  wild  and  wary;  and  they  are  fre- 
(luently  met  with  in  many  sections  of  the  State.  Th(\v 
are  almost,  if  not  equally,  as  bad  about  destroying 
game,  such  as  Pheasants,  Turkeys,  Quail  and  Rabbits, 
as  are  the  Foxes  and  true  Wildcat  or  Bay  Lynx. 

The  name  of  "Wildcat"  is  applied  to  these  feral  rep- 
I'esentatives  of  the  domestic  cat  tribe  by  many  hunters 
and  woodsmen,  and  possibly  when  heads  and  ears  of 
such  animals  have  been  presented  for  bounties  in 
siome  of  the  counties,  it  was  done  with  no  intention  of 
deception  nor  with  a  knowledge  that  the  common 
house  cat  was  being  substituted  for  the  true  Wildcat 
or  Uay  Lynx. 

HISTORY   OF    HEADS    SHOWN    ON    PLATES. 

The  ears  of  several  of  the  mammal  heads  illustrated 
on  the  plates  at  the  end  of  this  chapter  are  wanting; 
this  is  due  to  the  fact  that  they  were  cut  off  and 
burned  by  the?  officials  who  accepted  them  and  paid 
bo-unties  for  them.     Tliese  heads  are  all  life  size. 

OPOSSUM,    RABBIT.    WILD    AND   TAME    CATS. 

The  opossum  head,  that  of  a  young  one  about  two- 
thii-ds  grown,  was  sent  to  the  office  of  the  State  Board 
of  Agriculture  from  one  of  the  counties  in  Central 
Pennsylvania,  with  the  statement  that  it  was  either 
a  young  Wildcat  or  young  Catamount,  and  as  there 
w'as  a  dispute  abo-ut  it  among  some  hunters  where  it 


726 

was  shot,  the  justice  of  the  peace  had  not  burned  the 
licad,  but  had  (•lipi)ed  oft'  the  fats  and  sent  the  rest 
of  the  head  for  identification  and  to  settle  tlie  dispute. 
I  also  had  the  heads  of  two  house  cats — old  and 
li'rizzled  ones — which  had  been  paid  for  as  Wildcats. 
The  Jack  Eabbit's  head  has  its  ears  chopped  off,  and 
a.  hunter  realized  for  this  'animal,  which  was  also 
called  a  Wildcat,  two  dollars.  There  are  no  Jack 
Rabbits  in  Pennsylvania  in  a  wild  state;  and  there  is 
little  doubt  that  this  one  Wiis  purchased  at  some  mar- 
ket, "fixed  uj;,"  and  deliberately  presented  to  deceive 
some  easy,  or  very  i^noaant  official. 

SQUIRRELS   AND   WEASELS. 

Heads,  on  which  premiums  had  been  paid,  of  both 
the  Fox  Squirrel  and  the  lij^ht-colored  form  of  the 
Gray  Squirrel,  were  sent  to  our  office  at  Harrisburg 
for  identification.  The  heads  of  the  two  Squirrels 
shown  on  tlie  plate  have  been  reproduced  from 
mounted  specimens,  as  the  beads  which  I  had  of  these 
two  species  were  consumed  in  the  recent  fire  which 
destroyed  ray  office.  The  reproduction  of  normal 
heads  of  these  two  species  of  Squirrels,  which  are 
common  in  the  markets,  will  no  doubt  serve  in  the 
future  to  educate  officials  wiio  may  be  called  upon  to 
identify  "heads  and  ears"  which  ignorant  or  dishonest 
scalp  hunters  may  present  for  premiums.  The  heads 
of  the  Black  Squirrel  (Fig.  1),  the  Flying  Squirrel  (Fig. 
2),  and  the  Chipmunk  (Fig.  3), — a  partial  albino — were 
sent  to  Prof.  S.  F.  IJairrl,  Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institution,  WashingtO'n,  D.  C.  by  county  commission- 
ers or  Justices  of  the  j)eace  in  Pennsylvania  for  identi- 
fication.    The  r>lack   Squirrel    was    called    a    "Black 


FOX    SQUI  RRE  L.  ^LiFE  SIZE. 


2    GRAY    SQUIRREL,    'i-esize 


LU 

o: 

IT 

ID 

a 


> 

_i 

00 


727 

Mink,"  Uic  Flyinj;  f^quirrel  a  young  Weasel,  and  the 
odd  colored  Chipmunk  a  "Weasel." 

DOGS    AND    WOLVES. 

There  are  in  this  8tate  cur  dogs  which,  in  general 
color  and  appearance  of  the  head,  do  not  look  unlike 
Wolves.  The  lieads  (of  such  animals,  from  all  ac- 
counts, have  iri  the  past  fie(iuently  been  used  by 
scalp  hunters  to  deceive  county  oflicials,  who 
accepted  them  as  Wolves.  The  resemblance  between 
these  cur  dogs  and  Wolves  is  so  great  that  it  is  not  at 
all  surprising  that  they  were  substituted  for  Wolves, 
which,  as  already  stated  on  previous  pages,  have  no 
doubt  been  exterminated  in  this  State. 

In  1885  or  188G,  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird,  examined  a  num- 
ber of  "Wolf  scalps"  from  Pennsylvania,  on  which 
l)remiums  had  been  paid.  Investigation  shewed  that 
these  so-called  "Wolf  scalps"  had  been  made  from 
l)elts  of  Ked  Foxes  and  a  couple  of  Woodchucks. 
Many  and  probably  all  of  the  counties  o-f  Pennsylva- 
nia which  border  other  States  were  called  upon  to  pay 
bounties  for  animals  killed  or  caught  outside  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Fur  dealers  say  that  many  of  the  FO'xes 
and  Minks  which  they  buy  from  hunters  in  the  south- 
ern part  of  New  York  State  have  the  ears  clipped  off. 
The  liunter.s,  when  questioned  about  such  mutilation. 
sa\  tlie  animals  canie  from  Pennsylvania.  This  prob- 
ably, in  many  instances,  is  true,  but  there  seems  to  be 
very  good  ground  for  believing  that  a  good  many  of 
I  he  hunters  and  trai)pers  of  the  Empire  State,  when 
llu'v  obtain  such  animals  as  Foxes,  Minks  and  Wild- 
cats, carry  them  over  the  Slate  line  and  obijiiii  boiin 
ties  which  the  Pennsylvania  lawmakers  havi'  j»rovided 
each  county  shall  pay. 


728 

The  Scranton  Tribune  of  March  11,  1S*)7,  contains 
tiie  follovving  concerni))*;-  a  "Wolf"'  on  which  bounty 
was  recently  paid  in  Lackawanna  county: 

"John  R.  JoliMSon  stalked  into  the  commissioners'  ofliue  yes- 
teiday  and  flourishing-  an  affidavit  to  the  effect  that  he  had 
Itilled  a  Wolf  at  Waverly  January  1,  1897,  asked  for  the  ten 
dollars,  which  bounty  the  State  allows  for  the  slaughter  of  the 
most   detested   and   feared   of  farm   pests. 

"The  commissioners  didn't  like  to  cast  any  reflections  on  the 
powers  of  the  justice  of  the  peace  of  Waverly  to  differentiate 
between  the  pelt  of  a  Wolf  and  that  of  an  overgrown  dog  but 
they  did  not  hesitate  to  say  that  they  were  at  least  loth  to 
believe  that  it  would  be  generally  accepted  that  Wolves  are 
to  be  found  in  this  region.  Commissioner  Giles  Roberts,  who 
hails  from  up  Waverlyway,  vowed  that  he  had  never  heard  of 
a  Wolf  being  seen  in  those  parts,  although  there  might  be 
some  roaming  about  in  raiment  other  than  that  which  would 
naturally  cover  a  wolf. 

"These  misgivings,  however,  could  not  hold  out  against  the 
Johnson's  aflidavit  that  he  shot  a  Wolf;  Squire  Smith's  alTirma- 
tion  that  it  was  a  Wolf  and  that  its  ears  had  been  cut  from  the 
pelt,  that  the  ears:  were  cuti  off  and  burned  in  his  presence  and 
that  it  was  unmistalcably  the  pelt  of  a  Wolf. 

"Johnson  got  his  ten  dollars  and  went  forth  to  shoot  more 
Wolves." 

FEATHERED    HE^ADS. 

While  much  deception,  through  both  ignorance  and 
fraud,  was  practiced  by  substituting  the  remains  of 
wild  and  domesticated  animals  for  the  heads  and  ears 
of  mammals  on  which  bounties  were  paid,  this  kind  of 
work  was  carried  to  the  greatest  extent  in  the  way  of 
feathered  animals.  Owls  and  Hawks,  from  which  the 
heads  were  cut  off,  were,  in  some  instances,  so  manij) 
ulated  by  skillful  and  ingenions  scalp  hunters,  who 
possessed  some  knownledge  of  the  art  of  taxidermy, 
that  in  one  instance  which  came  to  my  notice  a  single 
Long-eared  Owl,  was  so  "Nvorked  ii])"  that  it  netted  the 
hunter  one  and  a  half  dollars.     The  neck  was  cut  off 


2    ENGLISH    SPARROW. S 


I  TURKEY    VULTURE. 


729 

close  to  the  body  uwd  also  al  tlic  base  of  llir  sUiill,  Ihc 
flesh  ol'  the  neck  was  allowed  to  remain  and  the  bill 
of  some  bird  of  prey  was  held  securely  to  one  end  of 
the  mass  by  fine  wiie;  the  second  head  was  manufac- 
tured from  bi'east  ineat  (apjiarently),  and  feathers  of 
body  with  the  bill  of  an  Owl.  Tliese  two  bogus  heads, 
with  those  of  a  lot  of  Hawks  and  Owls  and  three  or 
four  common  Weasels,  twenty  in  all,  were  seen  in  the 
ollice  of  a  justice  of  the  peace,  ready  to  burn  when  he 
j;(»l  a  good  hot  fire  started  in  his  stove. 

TURKEY    BUZZARDS    AND    SPARROWS. 

The  Turkey  Vulture  (Fig.  1).  was  paid  for  as  an 
"Eagle-hawk,'*  which  was  described  by  the  scalp  hun 
ter  who  got  the  bounty  for  it  as  "being  very  bad  on 
poultry,  especially  young  turkeys."'  The  English 
Sparrow  (Fig.  2),  witli  the  heads  of  some  other  birds — 
Hawks  and  Owls— and  an  immature  male  Pine  Gros 
beak  and  a  common  Kobin — came  to  Prof.  S.  F.  l^aird 
from  county  commissioners  or  other  officials  in  the 
western  part  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1885  or  188(5,  as  the 
heads  of  birds  of  prey.  The  fact  that  these  and  other 
remains  of  both  birds  and  mammals  were  sent  to 
Pi'O-f.  Baird  and  officers  of  the  Pennsylvania  State 
lioard  of  Agriculture  for  identification  shows  plainly 
that  the  officials  wlio  sent  them  were  sincere  in  the 
belief  that  they  were  lieads  of  some  species  of  bird  or 
mammal  mentioned  in  the  scalp  act  of  June  23,  188"). 

The  heads  of  the  Pheasant  or  Ruflfed  Grouse  (Fig. 
1),  and  the  Shaip-tailed  Grouse  (Fig.  2),  came  from 
I*i'of.  Baird's  colled  ion  of  I'ennsylvania  heads.  The 
Sliarp-tailed  Grouse  is  not  found  in  this  Common 
wealiii  in  a  wild  state,  but  the  birds  are  common  in 
manv  of  our  markets. 


730 

SEA   GULLS,   CUCKOOS,   ETC. 

At  Ica.sl  two  heads  ol'  the  Americjin  Heriin<ji;  Gull 
were  paid  lor  as  Hawks  under  the  act  of  1885.  The 
one  illustrated  was  ])resented  to  me  by  Prof.  S.  F. 
Baird,  and  another  of  the  same  species,  killed  alonj^ 
the  Susquehanna  river,  was  sent  to  my  office  for  iden- 
tification. The  Gull  received  from  Prof.  Baird  was 
called  a  "AA'hite  Hawk."  Tlie  head  of  the  Yellow- 
billed  (Cuckoo  (Fig.  3),  was  also  sent  to  Prof.  Baird 
as  the  head  of  a  "Small  llawk"  of  some  unknown  but 
detrimental  species.  The  Whip-poor-will  (Fig.  1),  and 
Xighthawk  (Fig.  2),  heads  wei-e  secured  by  the  writer 
from  justices  of  the  peace,  and  the  heads  of  a  female 
Wild  Turkey  (Fig  1),  and  a  eo-mmou  domesticated  hen 
(Fig.  2),  were  sent  to  Prof.  Baird  as  "Hawk  heads." 

The  Fish  Hawk,  fiom  which  Fig.  1  has  been  repro- 
duced, was  shot  along  the  Brandy  wine  Creek.  Tlie 
man  wlio  oflered  it  for  bounty  explained  how  much 
damage  it  had  done  to  his  chickens,  and  how,  foa'  sev- 
eral days,  it  had  lingered  near  his  dwelling  watching 
for  and  killing  chickens  and  ducks.  On  examination 
this  Fish  Hav/k's  stomach  showed  it  contained  only 
the  remains  of  fish.  Tlie  Cooper's  Hawk,  in  downy 
dress,  (Fig.  2),  came  from  Crawford  county  where,  it 
is  claimed,  the  eggs  of  this  and  other  species  of  Hawks 
and  Owls  were  collected  and  hatched  out  under  hens 
or  with  incubators. 

The  illustrations  of  the  adults,  male  and  female, 
Afarsh  Hawks,  are  those  of  a  beneficial  species  which 
wore  killed  in  considerable  numbers  by  scalp  hunters. 
The  heads  of  the  Cooper's  Hawks  (adult  and  young  or 
immature)  show  the  species  in  different  plumage. 
This  Hawk  i.-  one  of  the  worst  feathered  pests  the 
]t(iullry   laiser  has  to  contend   with. 


> 

m 
:d 

n 
> 

z 

I 
m 

z 
o 

o 
c 
r 
r 


M 


> 


'MALE) 


I    FEMALE' 


MARSH    HAW  K  .     aiFE  sizei 


(ADULT) 


( YOUNG) 


COOPERS     HAWK  . 'LIFE  SIZE! 


(YOUNG  I 

AMERICAN      GOS  HAWK  .     LIFE  SIZE 


ADULT) 


,(    ADULT  ) 


I  YOUNG   I 


RED    SHOULDERED    H  AW  K  ,' life  size' 


731 

The  two  heads  of  (loshawks  (adult  and  vonnjjj  or  iiii 
iiiatmc).  illustrate  aiiollier  species  of  the  <leti-iiiienlal 
Hawks  which  destroy  much  game,  poultry  and  the 
smaller  kinds  of  wild  son";  birds.  The  two  heads  of 
Ked-shoiildered  IJawks  (adult  and  young,  the  latter 
known  to  the  older  ornithological  writers  as  Wintei- 
Falcon),  illustrate  a  species  which  is  beneficial,  as 
it  rarely  j)reys  on  poultry  or  game,  but  subsisls 
largely  on  mice,  frogs,  grassho])pei'S  and  beetles. 


(  732  ) 


INDEX. 


Page. 
A. 

Alt,    bounty   of   1S97 6^^ 

bounty    of    1885 662,663,664 

efforts    to    repeal 664,666 

reasons   for   repeal    of GG5,6')6 

reasons    why    should    not   be    repealed 666,667 


Albinisni, 


3C4 


AiiiniHls ^^'^ 

(leslruclion   of    noxious,    reports  by   counties 669,696 

Adams ^'•5 

Allegheny 8^0 

Armstrong ^'''^ 

lieaver ^''^ 

Berks ^^ 

Blair 671 

Bradford ^"^^ 

liucks '''?2 

Butier 6^3 

Cambria 6"3, 674 

Cameron ^'* 

Centre ^5 

Chester *^5 


Clarion, 


676 


Clearfield ^^ 

Clinton,      677 

Oolumbia ^^ 

Crawford 678 

Cumberland 679 

Dauphin 679 

Delaware,     680 

Elk 


Erie,  . . 
Fayette, 
Forest, 


68(J 
681 
681 


Franklin 681 


Fulton 

Greene 

Huntingdon, 

Indiana 

.Tpfferson. 
Lackawanna, 


682 
682 
683 
683 
684 
681 


(733) 


734 

Page. 

Aiiiiiials,    destruction    at  noxinus,    re|>orts    by   counties— Ccnlinued. 

Lancaster SSfi 

Lawrence S>6 

I^banon 686 

Lehigh 687 

Lycoming 687 

McKean,      fiS7,  f88 

Mercer 688 

Mifflin 6feS,  6v» 

Montgomery 6F9 

Northampton 6S'J 

Perrj' 680 

Pilte,      6fl0 

Potter 690 

Schuylkill 6ni 

Snyder (91 

Somerset 692 

Sullivan 692 

Susquehanna G'.'S 

Tioga 693 

Union G90 

Venango 691 

Washington 69* 

Warren 691.695 

Westmoreland 695 

Wyoming 696 

fur-bearing :!27, 331 

va'.ue  of  in  Chester  county 3''0,33l 

Huntingdon    county 3i7.320 

Jefferson    county 3J7,33n 

Luzerne    county 230 

Mercer   county 3:9,  SCO 

Wyoming  county 32 1 

York    county 327 

which    destroy    poultry 698 

game 698 

destroyed    by    forest    fires 27.30,33 

domestic 27 

wild 27 

many    yet   remain 49 1 

those    exterminated 493,496 

where    to    hunt l»>-54g 

which    are    rare 302, 504 

Approvals,    wise, 50 

Army  Worm,   loss  from   in  Pennsylvania 30i 


Badger 317 

Bass -.40.541,547 

best    places    for,     .'.40,f.41,647 

Black 25, 26, 529 

Sea 628 

Bats 324.  .il  1 

food    of 512 

winter  home   of 511.512 


735 

Page. 

BPar,     Black :n8, 381.510 

food    of 


511 


number  of  skins   of, 


511 


Hears :,Il.^:;i.54S,Mfi 

best    places   for,     :34..545,54ti 


noavers,     in    Virginia 

where   to   find 191,495 

.     . .  1:5 


lUnls.    Butcher,    destroyed   by   Fisrh  Crows, 


261 


destruction  of   in  Georgia ^ 

destruction  of  in  Nebraska ^^ 


20.000  in  four  years, 


10 


list    of    raptorial 10, 4.' 

save    the ^'^^ 

i>r  pi-ey ^'■'■^-  253 

how    to  capture 61)9,704 

shooting 699,703 

trapping 705.701 

Rail 527, 53S 

best    places    for,     527,538 

where    found,     527 

rare,    where   to  go   for 487,488,48^ 

1J^.,.,1 4S6.526,5:!9 

best    places    for 526 

where    found 526, 539 

Bison 317 

Bitlern,     American 31;> 

description    of 3'^ 

food    of 31* 

voice    of - 31o 

Bitterns 6. 304 

brief    account    of 304 

food    of 304 

Blackbirds 6. 7. 294 

brief  account  of 294 

bronzed 303 

Blackbird,     Common     Crow 2^ 

description  of 293 

food    of -97,203 

Blackfish 518 

Blunder,    a    serious 37 

Bob-cat '•^' 

Bounties,    sentiment   in   favor  of 43 

paid    for  animals 697,6'.l'< 

B<..ui.ty     for     Foxes 697 

Minks ''97 

Wildcats,      697 

Buffalo 317 

Bunting,    indigo,     25 

Butcher    birds 273, 291 

Buzzard.     Turkey 138.139.140.143 

description    of.     13" 

distribution    of 139, 140 

food    of 138,139 

northern    breeding    limit   of 141 

Buzzards,     Turkey ,... 3.-> 


730 

c. 

^  Page. 

Carp .•.30,541,54S 

best    places    for r^l 

Catamount 502 

Cat.     Mountain 4)1 

Tiger 411 

Wild 440,4 12, f.08 

description     of 440,4*1 

food    of 4 .. 44, 446, 449, 462 

haunts    of 442,44"! 

increasing:.      443 

weight     of,      440, 441 

Cats,    Wild 53,T 

best    places    for 535 

Catfish 2r, 

Chickaree 364, 369. 506 

Chipmunks 323,321 

Chipmunk 514 

Canadian 514 

food    of .=>14 

'Coon 50!» 

Cottontails 323, 507 

Coyotes 317 

Crow,    watch    the 5 

carrion 142 

fish,     2'»1. 2S2 

description     of 2S2 

food    of 2i-3 

voice    of 282, 283 

Crows • 7,254 

common 262,280 

charges    against   the 262 

description    of 280 

food    of 281 


Damage,    estimates  of,    by   birds  and   mammals 52-136 

to    poultry,    game   etc..    reports    by    counties 52-13.J 

Adams,      52.53.7.5.76.118,119 

Allegheny 53,77,119 

Armstrong 53,76,77,119 

Beaver 53,80,119 

Bedford 53, 81,121 

Berk8 53. 54, 81 .  82,  leo,  1 21 

Blair,     54. 80. 81. 12o 

Bedford 54, 78. 79, 119, 13) 

Bucks 55. 77,78, 121 

Butler 55. 79 

Cambria 55, 56, 88, 124 

Cameron 86 

Centre 56,86, 87, 124 

Carbon 57,89 

Chester 57. 82,122, 12:'. 

Clarion 58,88.89,124 

Clearfield.      58.59,84, 85,86, 12l 


i  ■>  I 

Page. 
Damage    by    birds   and-  mammals— Continued. 

Clinton 59, 87, 12:!,  124 

Columbia 59,  GO,  82, 83, 125 

Crawford 60,83.84, 124, 126 

Cumberland , 61, 89,126 

Dauphin 89,90,125 

Delaware,     90 

Elk 61.90, 91 

Erie 61 ,  91, 125, 126 

Fayette.      61 ,  62, 93. 94. 126 

Forest 62, 92 

Franklin 62, 91, 92, 1^6 

Fulton 62, 63 ,  92, 93 ,  126 

Greene 63,91 

Huntingdon 63. 94, 95,96, 126,  )27 

Indiana 64. 96, 127 

Jefferson C4, 96, 97, 127 

Juniata 64, 65, 97, 127, 128 

Lackawanna 65,102,129 

Lancaster 65, 97, 98,12<!,129 

Lawrence 66, 101 ,  129 

Lebanon 66, 101, 102, 129 

Lehigh 98,S9, 129 

Luzerne 66, 67, 99, 100, 129, ISO 

Lycoming.      67, 100,130 

McKean 67,103 

Mercer 67,  C8, 102, 103,  ICO 

Mifflin 68, 104, 105. 130, 131 

Monroe,      68, 106, 131 

Montgomery 68, 105, 1C6, 131 

Montour 69, 106, 131 

Northampton,      69, 106, 107, 132 

Northumberland,     G9, 107, 131, 132 

Perry 69, 70. 107, 108, 132, 133 

Philadelphia 70, 108, 109, 133 

Pike 70,108,133 

Potter 70, 71. 109, 133 

Schuylkill 71, 112, 113, 133 

Snyder 71 ,  112, 133 

Somerset 71, 110,  111,  134 

Sullivan 71,72, 109, 110 

Susquehanna 72.  Ill,  112, 133, 134 

Tioga 72, 73, 113. 114. 134 

Unicn 73, 134 

Vc-nango 114 .  134 

Washington 73, 115, 134, 135 

Wayne 74,-116, 136 

Westmoreland 74, 116, 117. 135 

Wyoming 74, 117, 135 

York 74, 117,118,135 

Deer 535, 54'i 

best    places   for 524.533,534,545 

where    found '. 521 

Virginia 509,510 

how    to    Increase 510 

Dogs.     Prairie 317 

HI 


738 

Page. 

Doves,     Turtle 527 

best    places    for 527 

where    found 527 

Duck,    Wood 25 

Ducks,     Wild,     537,547 

best    places    for,     52."j,526,637 

where    found ,     525 

Eagles,      24, 144 

Eagle,     Bald 195, 201 

as   a   fisherman,     202 

description    of 201 

food    of,     201.204 

Black 201 

Golden,     195 

as  a  pet,    ;96198 

description    of 195 

food    of 195,  £00 

Gray,      201 

Washington 201 

White  -headed 195 

Education,    popular,    necessary 48 

Eels, ; 26 

Egg-hunters T, 

Eggs 658, 659 

Bald   Eagle 658, 659 

Blue   Jay 658, 639 

Common    Crow 658, 659 

hatched   for   bounty,    496, 4y7 

Hav,ks' 658,659 

Ow  Is' 658 ,  659 

Turkey    Buzzard,     658,659 

Eiieniiei?,     parasitic 550,657 

Epizootics,     outbreaks    of 549 

Ermine,      420 

Errors 319, 3S 

F. 

Falcons,     144 

Farms,    number   in    Pennsylvania 33 

Farming,     Skunk,     339-342 

Ferrets,    use   of,    illegal 50s 

Fires,    forest,     27 

common    cause    of 31,32 

railroads    guard    against 30,31 

Fishes    that   catch    ducks,  24 

Fisher 318, 502 

Fish,     Blue 528 

Cat,      530, 531, 543, 548 

best    places    for 543 

Fishes 520 

catch   ducks   and   birds 521 

number  of   species   in  Pennsylvania 520 

Fishing,    fresh    water 629 

where  to  go   for   the  best,    529,631 

salt    water,     528 

where   to  go  for   the   best,    528.529 


739 

Pag. . 

Fish,     Rock 531. 542. 543,  MS 

best    places    for,     542.54a 


Sun, 


.r31.643 


best    places    for ^^ 

Flails,    hunted   with ^^^ 

Flounders,      ^28 

Fowls,    loss  of,    by  disease 2 

number   of   in   United    States 2 

value  of   in   United    States 2 

symptoms  of,   infected  with  tapeworms 561,562 

Foxes 4,318,323,325.327.377,378.534 

best    places    for    534.535 

how     to    catch 717,720 

what  farmers,    poultry  raisers  and  sportsmen  say  about 394.414 

T^pY      Black  3^6, 3(7 

Cross.      376. 377 

Cross-bar 397 

Gray 377, 386, 393,508 

description    of.     ^'■^ 

distribution    of *15 

food    of, *18 

hunts    trees 416. 417 

Red 376, 377, 508 

description     of 376,377 

destroys    domesticated    animals 382,3S4,3S6.392,393 

food     of 370.394 

how    to    kill    the 38S 

kills    game 381, 382, 385. 388 , 392, 393. 394 

kills    many    wild    song   birds,     382 

weight    of,     376 

Sampson 376 

Samson,     ^^ 

Silver 376,377 

Silver    Gray 576 

G. 

Game  Commissioners,    good  work  of 669 

destroyed    by    snares 13 

in    former    years 489,492 

Ganoga     lake 25 

Gar 26 

Geese 637 

Wild "27 

Goshawk 1*7 

breeds   in   Pennsylvania,    ^ 172 

description     of I'l 

food    of 147, 173, 176 

Goshawks.      * 

Grouse,    Ruffed * 

Crackle.     Bronzed 303 

description    of 303 

Gulls 21 

H. 

Hackey,     Ground ^1* 

Hares 317,606 


740 

Page. 

Hare £0T 

AiJeghenlan    varying 6*7 

wood 507 

Carolinian    wood,     508 

northern    varying 507 

where   found   in   Pennsylvania 607 

Hawks 144 

beneficial 39 

detrimental 38.39.145,147 

"little    bird," 36 

"little    blue,"     36 

Sharp-shinned 4 

troublesome 5 

valuable, 144,145 

Hawk,    Big    Blue,    171 

Black 191 

Broad    Winged,     187 

description    of 187 

food    of,     188, 190 

"Brown," 159 

Cooper' s 146. 165 

birds    eaten    by 146,147,169,170 

description    of IfiS 

food    of,      146, 147, 1 C6. 170 

mammals  killed  by 147,169,170 

Duck 4,205 

birds    killed    by 208,209 

description   of, 205 

food    of 207, 200 

'  'Gray, "     273 

Fish,     221 

as   a   fisherman 222 

description    of 221 

food    of 222 

"Little    Quail,"     159 

Long-tailed    chicken IK 

Marsh,     154 

description    of,     154 

food    of 155.158 

Partridge 159 

Pheasant 165 

Pigeon 159, 210 

birds    killed    by 211,213 

description    of 210 

food    of 211, 212, 213 

Red-shouldered 184 

description    of 184 

food    of 185, 186 

Red- tailed 177 

description     of 177 

food    of 182, 18.-? 

Rough-legged .     191 

description    of 191 

food     of 192. 194 


741 

Pa«e. 

Hawk — Continued. 

Sharp-shinned !&• 

description    of l" 

food    of ISl.lM 

email    birds    killed    by,     163,1«4 

Sparrow 114 

description    of 14 

food     of,      216, 220 

Insects    found    In 210 

Heads 721,731 

American    Herring    Gull 724 

Chickens TJS 

Chipmunk 714 

common    Chicken 723 

Dogs 783 

common    Robin 724 

Ferret 724 

Ferrets 723 

Flying    Squirrel 784 

Foxes 723 

Fox    Squirrel 724 

Gray    Squirrel 724 

Hav.ks 722 

hist(ry    of 725,731 

Horned    Grebe 724 

Jack    Rabbit 721 

R  ittetn's 723 

Minks 728 

Nighthawk,     724 

Opossum 724 

Owls 723 

Rabbits 72S 

Red    Squirrel 724 

Ruffed    Grouse,     723 

Sharp-tailed    Grouse "23 

Shrike 724 

Squirrels 723 

Turkeys 782 

Turkey    Vulture 724 

Weasels 723 

Wildcats t 72J 

Wild    Turkey 723 

Whip-poor-will 724 

Yellow-billed    Cuckoo 724 

Hen    Hawk 177,l£i» 

Hens,     Marsh 528 

Mud 528 

best    places   for 628 

where    found 522 

Hercns,     • 6, 6,24,804 

brief    account    of ^M 

food    of •<>* 

Heron,     Black-crowned    night 211 

bounty    for 314 

breed    In  colonies ^2 


742 

Page. 
Heron  —Continued. 

description    of 311 

food     of 313,314 

Great    Blue,    303 

description     of 305 

dissections   of 307 

food    of 306.307 

Green 308 

description    of 308 

examinations   of,    310 

food    of 309 

Hibernation 325 

Hog,     Ground 324,517,518 

Hunting,    Fox 379 

Hunter,     bird    egg,     10 

Hunters,     market 503, 510 

meat 492 

pot 510 

skin,     492 

I 

Infection,    known    or    supposed    source    of 554,557 

Insects.    losses    from    in    Pennsylvania 19 

loss.->s  from   In   United    States 19 

losses  from  in  different  States 20 

ravages    of 19.31 

tree-destroying 21 

25,000   kinds  of 486 

J. 

Jays 254 .  267 

Blue 8,9 

Jay,     Blue 267, 26? ,  239, 284 

birds    attacked    by    the 270,271 

description    of,     284 

distribution     of 2.58 

food    of    the 272,285.287 

Florida, 7 

Florida  <Blue 8 

hunts     methodically 270 

insects  eaten  by  the 269 

scrub,     7 

summary    of    food    of 269 

K. 

Killer,     hat-bird 10 

Kite.    Mississippi 152 

description    of 152 

flight    of & 153 

food    of,     152.153 

Swallow-tailed 148 

description    of 148 

flight    of 151 

food   of 149. 150 

Legislation,    expensive 3T 

foolish 37 

Leopards,      317 


7-13 

rage. 

Lynx,    Bay 441 

Canada 317. 441 

M. 

Mammals,    how    to   capture 705,720 

species     of 492,493 

Market-hunters 1 '< 

Marten.     Pine 502, 503 

Mice 519 

destroy    crops 519,520 

Field 519, 520 

food    of 519 

kill     birds 519 

kill    chickens 519 

Meadow 519. 520 

Minks 4, 5U 

as    a    fisherman 471,475 

description    of 463 

how    to    catch 706,707 

what    farmers   and    sportsmen   say   about    the 46), 471 

Moles 511 

Mud-hen 25 

Muskrat 513 

food    of 513, 514 

N. 

Name,   an  improper  one 273 

Nest-robbers,     9 

Netters 15 

Nighthawks,     : 3".,  36 

Notes,    miscellaneous  introductory 1,4S  48'>.r2l 

Nodular  disease,    caused  by  tapeworm r6!,566 

o. 

Opossums 4.322 

Opossum 318, 5?7, 370, 512, 513 

distribution    of 371. 372 

description    of 370 

enemies    of S75 

food     of 374. 375 

nest  of 372 

skins    taken    yearly 371 

weight   of 370 

Ortolan 538 

Otter ■!1S,503 

food    cf 509 

Owls 21, 22{ 

as     ratters 715,717 

beneficial,     39 

detrimental 39 

general    account   of 22?.  224 

Great    Horned 4  39 

Mice    eating ^21 

Owl,     Acadian 2l8 

description <i3S 

food    of 241 

Barn 22'> 

description   of 225 

food    of 326 


744 

Owl— CcJitlnued. 

Barred 2 .3 

description   of I'?! 

food     of 234, 235 

Great    Homed 246 

description    of ^46 

night    of 247 

food    of, 248, 24'J 

Great    Gray    23') 

description   of 236 

food    of 236,137 

Hawk 252 

description    of,     252 

flight    of 25; 

food    of 2»2 

Lor.g-Eared 230 

description    of 230 

food    of 231.232 

killed    for    hats 232 

Marsh 827 

Monkey- faced 22"> 

Saw-whet 239 

Screech 242 

as   a    pet 242,243 

description     of 242 

food    of 242, 244, 245 

Shoi-t-eared 227 

description    of 227 

food    of 228  229 

killed    for    hats J28 

Sn<jwy 250 

description    of,     350 

food    of 250.241 

Stone 2?9 

P. 

■  "Painter, "     5  pi; 

Panther 501 .  502 

Perch 541 

best    places    for 541 

White 529, 548 

Persons,   number  of  engaged  In  poultry  raising —       1,3 

Pests,     feathered,     319,721 

Pheasants 53"i 

best    places    for 526,535,536.546 

gtcd    locality    for 512 

where     found 526  '.4 6 

Pickerel 23 

Pigeon,    Wild 15,503 

Pike,      520. 542  54b. 

best     places     for 512 

county,    bird    butchery    in 14 

•Plney,"     3C4 

Pitchforks,    hunted    with •ISl 

Plates,    descviptlrn    of 040  657 


745 

Page. 

Plover,      628 

best    places    for K8 

where    found 688 

Plume   hunter,    6 

Polecat S32 

food    of 518 

created   to  cause   trouble 6l3 

Pcullry,    tapeworms    of 64S 

unknown    disease    of ^9 

loss  of,    in   Pennsylvania ' 

value  of.    In    Pennsylvania ^ 

Pushers 538 

Q. 

Quail 636 

best     places     for 524,526,546 

whtre    found 624, 625,646 

Questions,    on   bounty,    reports  by  counties 44-47 


Rabbits t 506,507,632,644 

best    places    for r.22, 523, 532, 533. 544 

whore    found 522 

Rabbit,     "Snowshoe,"     ; 506 

"Mountain    Jack."    506 

White 606 

Raccoons 509 

best   places    for 523,684,535 

food    of 6W 

where    found 623,624.536 

what  farmers  and  others  6ay  about 479,484 

Raccoon 324, 327, 476 

description    of *76 

food    of 476.478. 479. 484 

how    to    trap 709,710 

steals    poultry 476 

Rail K.486 

Carolina 638 

Clapper 26 

Rat,    Black 614 

Allegheny    Cave 615 

Norway 614 

Rals t 4.514 

food    of .514. 616 

how    to    destroy 710.716 

poisoning 711 ,  711 

traps    for 712,716 

shooting 710, 711 

Reports   from    one   thousand    "bservers 49.136 

Ravens 254. 255. 276. 278 

common 254 

distribution    of 279 

left    in   di?Kn?t 277.278 

northern K>i .  276 

what    tli-y    devr.ur ^R."!  J*?! 


TJC. 

s. 

Page. 

Sable    "Alaska,"     333 

American 502 

number    annually    taken,     503 

where    found 503 

Salmon 542,548 

best    places    for 542 

Satidpipers 24 

Seal 317 

Sheepshead 528 

Shrikes,      36, 254. 273, 274 

general    account   of 28S 

rarelj^  disturb   poultry 275 

Shrike,    birds  killed  by Zno 

Great    Northern 273, 274, 275, 289 

description    of 289 

food     of 274, 275 

Loggerhead 273. 274, 291 

description    of 291 

Food    of 292 

Wihlte-rumped, 273.293 

Shrews 511 

Skunks 318  324.327. 515, 516 

food    of 515. 516 

number   taken    in    Susquehanna 3"7 

where   paid    for 687,675.677 

what   farmers,    poulterers  and   sportsmen   say   about,    reports   by 

counties 342, 36." 

Adams 342 

Allegheny 342 

Armstrong 342.343 

Bradford 343, 344. 345 

Butler t 345 

Cambria 346 

Carbon 245 

Centre 345 

Chester 346-347 

Clearfield 347. 348 

Clinton 348 

Columbia 348. 349 

Crawford 34S 

Cumberland 349 

Fayette,     349 

Franklin 349 

Greene 319 

Huntingdon 349 

Indiana 349. 350 

Juniata 3"0 

Lackawanna 350,351.352 

Lancaster 3-50 

Lawrence,     S53 

Lehigh. 352 

Luzerne 352 

McKean 353 

Mercer 353. 354 

Mifflin 384 


747 

Page. 
Skunks— Continued. 

Monroe,     354, 365 

Montour 355 

Perry *55 

Pike ,'    3^ 

Potter 35i 

Snyder ^^^ 

Somerset ^^ 


Sullivan, 


357 


Susqueha  nna 3o7, 3-)3 

Tioga *''^ 

Union 558,359.360 


Venango, 


36j 


Washington 360, 361 


Wajne, 


.361,362 


Westmoreland 362,36 : 

York ^''-^ 

Skunk ^? 

Canadian 333. 515 


description    of. 


332 


enemies    of    the,     333-334 

food    of 334,339 


how  to  trap, 


709 


Snapper,     22. 2:5 

Snaring  in  Pennsylvania ^^ 

Snares,     illegal 5"^ 

Sripe 526. 53i 

best     places    for 326  539 

English 538 

where    found ^26 


Wilson's, 


53:i 


Society,    Pennsylvania  Audubon ^S  1^ 

officers    of ^' 

pamphlet    of '° 

good   work   of.     ^^ 

Some  other  birds  which   destroy   poultry,    etc 25l,:!16 

Sora "86.538 

Sparrow,    English 36, 273,319 

Spcrtsmen.     careless 31.32 

So.ulrrels 533, 5t.5 

best    places    for .523.533,54.) 

heads,    where  valuable ^6S 

kinds   protected ^^" 

where    found ^^^ 

Squirrel,    Black ^^ 


■Cat, 


505 


Flying 8. 3M, 504, 515 


food    of. 


515 


Pc,x 364, 504 .  505, 506 

where    found ^6 


weight    of. 


361 


Qray 323 .  324. 50 1 

Rej  '    26.27.323.364,375.505 

birds   killed    by S**'' 

description    of,     ^'^ 

food    of 365.368.505 


748 

Pa**. 

Squirrels— Continued. 

poultry  killed   by ttfi 

weight     of 364 

Stoat ^ 41J 

Stout 41J 

Strychnine 6 

T. 

Tapeworms,     classification    of &74,S76,67» 

descriptions    of 679,  (C39 

of  birds  not  transmissible  to  man Ki 

of    wild    birds 551,560,561 

prevention    of 6C6.66S 

remedies   for   in   fowls 572,(73 

treatment    of B€8, 573 

Taxidermists 10,16 

Terns 2S 

Throat,    Maryland    Yellow,     K 

Trout,     Brook 25,521,530,540,647 

best    places    for 530,540,547 

good    locality    for 612 

will   eat  Mice 621 

will    catch    Ducklings 58l 

Turkeys,     Wild 536,546, 547 

best   places    for 536,646 

Turtle.     Snapping 23 

V. 

Vultures,     American 136 

review   of 136 

Vulture,    Black 142 

description    of 141 

flight     of 142 

food     of 142  143 

Turkey 137 

W. 

"Wasp    Hawk,"     14* 

Weasel,    common 419 

description    of 419 

food     of,      . , 423, 431 

hunts    by    scent 423 

weight    of 411 

least 421, 42J 

description   of 421 

Weasels 4,36.325,386,421.511 

Black 481 

Brown 421 

food    of,     431,43» 

how    to    trap 7*7,T09 

what  fai-mers  and  poulterers  say  about  them 451,43:i 

White m. 

Yello-w,     481 

Wildcat 318,825 

how   to    trap 706 

Wildcats,    what  farmers  and  hunters  say  about  them 449,462 

where  to  go  for 4SS 

Whip-poor-wills 55 


74!i 

Page 

Woodpecker,    Red-headed 15 

Wolf ;il7 

Wolves 317 

a    doctor's    thrllllngr  escape    from 498,501 

bad    neighbors 497 

lipstroyed    sheep 497 

followed    people 497,i:,01 

kind   found   In  Tioga  county 49J 

where    paid    for SOT, 671. 68^,690 

Woodchuck 517, 51^ 

food    of olS 

habits     of 51<; 

how    to    destroy,    BlS 

Woodcock 527,5^7 

best   places   for rJ7,53T 

where     fr>vind  527 


(750) 


i    7 


GENERAL  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA— BERKELEY 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

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1959 

AP  &  1 7  1970 
APi^l  5  1976 


nefog^"'  .O^rairy 


LD  21-100m-l,'54(1887sl6)476 


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.>-*// 


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-\_  .> 


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